USLsoccer.com asked me to share my opinions and make my predictions for the 2004 A-League playoffs. My first thought was, "If I have such expert analysis and insight then my team, the Milwaukee Wave United, would be in the playoffs."  Here's my take on the series that opens tonight in Portland.

This is a battle of two sizzling hot teams.  Portland enters the postseason on a ten game unbeaten streak, their last loss was at the hands of, you guessed it, Seattle 2-0 back on July 24th at PGE Park in Portland.  Seattle hit their stride in the final month winning five straight games to qualify for the postseason, before a season ending loss to Minnesota. 

Based on this year's regular season records and head-to-head competition, it would appear that Portland would have a big advantage.  I, however, believe this series will be much closer than it appears.  Let's break it down.

Offense: 
Portland possesses the number one offense in the A-League, having amassed 58 goals, 14 more than any other team.  They feature the number two scorer in the league in Byron Alvarez, a crafty, skillful player who is not afraid to get nasty with the big boys in the back.  Complimenting Alvarez is certain Rookie of the Year Alan Gordon, who finished the season third in league scoring.  Gordon is a big kid who scores the majority of his goals in the box and out of the air.  Adding to the attack are midfielders Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar the league's leading playmaker with 10 assists, and Alex Bengard, who finished the campaign with seven helpers.  The sleeper to the Portland attack may be midfielder Andrew Gregor, a former Sounder, whose left foot can be dangerous on set pieces. 

Seattle finished the season well behind Portland statistically, but do have great talent offensively.  Welton Melo, former MLS star with the Galaxy, led the Sounder attack with 10 goals.  Melo is an experienced player who is a clinical finisher when provided opportunities to score.  His running mate up front is Roger Levesque, who relies on his work rate to create and score.  Much like Portland's Gordon, Levesque will do whatever it takes in the box, including sacrificing his body to score goals.  Seattle also possesses outstanding depth with Kyle Smith, Sean Michael Callahan, Craig Tomlinson and Darren Sawatzky providing Coach Brian Schmetzer with plenty of options coming off the bench.  Sawatzky announced his retirement near the end of the season and has played with a sense of purpose down the stretch. 

Portland finished the season ranked number six in the A-League defensively.  Goalkeeper Josh Saunders played 24 games and finished seventh with a goals against average of 1.106.  Central defender Gavin Wilkinson is the Timbers most experienced and will be joined by Lee Morrison and young Scot Thompson in the back. This group will have to play physical to deny Seattle counter attacks, particularly late in the game when Seattle's speed guys could pose problems and become a major factor.

Seattle finished the season ranked eighth in the A-League defensively.  Preston Burpo started every match between the pipes and finished eighth in the league with a goals against average of 1.154.  The Sounders are an experienced side in the back with bruiser Marco Velez joining Danny Jackson and Ryan Edwards.  Schmetzer also has multiple options in the back with Scott Jenkins and Zach Scott.  This team knows how to foul tactically and is not afraid to take cards to send a message or slow the opposition's attack.  

Portland has one of the top fan bases in the A-League, led by Timber Jim and the Army.  Seattle, however, has the definite advantage of playing the second game in Seattle.  Look for the Sounders to come out and attempt to slow the first match down to a crawl.  The Timbers on the other hand, must play with a sense of urgency in game one and feed off the energy of the Timbers Army.

This series has the potential to be a wild affair.  Composure is going to be a key ingredient for the success of either team in this series.   These teams know and do not like each other as evidenced by the 21 yellow cards and two reds issued in the four games played. Portland's Wilkinson added fuel to the fire with this comment to the Seattle Times.  "We will beat Seattle easily.  We expect to make the final, and Seattle is just the first hurdle.  I think we're a better team than them.  We've proved it all year."   If the games take on an offensive posture, Portland will have the advantage.  On the other hand, if the games are low scoring Seattle will have a solid chance.  There is a good possibility it may take extra time or even penalties to decide this series.