Unlikely heroes emerge in Western Conference play

As one surveyed the Western Conference following the weekend's playoff games, there were two items that caught the eye: the quality play provided by both contests, and the unexpected heroes that emerged in each game. Postseason matches tend to be stagnant affairs with little flair and lots of rugged defending. But on this occasion there was wide-open play and plenty of controversy -- the perfect ingredients for a memorable postseason.

Juan Miranda/WireImage

Francisco Palencia scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal against Houston.

By far the best match of the weekend was Sunday's encounter between Chivas USA and Houston, one that saw Chivas prevail 2-1. Not only was there end-to-end play, but the contest was illuminated by a man-of-the-match performance from Chivas forward Paco Palencia.

Yes, Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan will garner most of the headlines for his spectacular penalty-kick save from Houston's Dwayne De Rosario, one that not only helped preserve the Goats' narrow advantage but also spared them the psychological hammer blow of squandering a two-goal lead in the game's final 15 minutes. But it was Palencia's scintillating play that powered Chivas to victory.

From the game's first minute, the former Mexican international gave the Dynamo fits with his ability to find space in between Houston's back line and midfield. That left Dynamo central defenders Eddie Robinson and Adrian Serioux with a "should I stay or should I go?" type of dilemma. The situation was especially confusing for Serioux, who was often late in stepping out to Palencia and then compounded the problem with some all-or-nothing tackles that, when they missed, allowed Palencia acres of space to run at the Dynamo defense.

That scenario played itself out to a tee in first-half stoppage time, when Palencia sidestepped Serioux's ill-timed lunge near midfield and was off to the races, only to be fouled near the top of the box. Ante Razov curled home the subsequent free kick, giving the Goats some priceless momentum heading into halftime.

And it was Palencia who doubled Chivas' advantage in the second half when he nodded home Sacha Kljestan's free kick in the 68th minute. But his heroics aside, Palencia deserves credit for making it onto the field in the first place. It was only a few weeks ago that the former Chivas de Guadalajara attacker was deemed out for the season with a right knee injury, and the domino effect that it had on the Chivas attack was telling. It forced other players to be pulled out of their comfort zone, and the goals that had flowed so easily earlier in the season began to dry up, as teams were better able to focus their attentions on Razov and Juan Pablo Garcia.

The injury bug that struck all three players played a part, as well, but Palencia's unexpected start on Sunday marked the first time in over a month that all three players were on the field at the same time, and the fluidity that was evident in Chivas' attack made it seem like they had never been away.

The fact remains, however, that the home side nearly threw away its hard-earned, two-goal advantage in the game's final moments; the Goats can count themselves lucky they aren't heading back to Houston on level terms. The omens were everywhere as the second half progressed. Houston had surprising success finding Brian Ching deep in the box, and the Hawaiian was involved in what may turn out to be the key play of the series.

Released by De Rosario on a clear breakaway, Ching had touched the ball around Guzan, only to be upended by the Chivas keeper. When referee Jorge Gonzalez waved play on, Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear must have had a flashback to Aug. 26, when De Rosario was scythed down in the box late in a match against Chivas, yet no call was made. At the least, it left Kinnear wondering if he was ever going to get a 50-50 call in his favor at the Home Depot Center.

That question was answered in the affirmative with just three minutes to go when Ching -- who, after squandering a number of opportunities, scored for the Dynamo in the 75th minute -- was hauled down by Jason Hernandez on yet another breakaway. That set the stage for Guzan.

As he prepared to face De Rosario, one could see Guzan appealing to the soccer gods for inspiration. But in some ways, his prayers had already been answered, because given his earlier transgression, it can be argued that he shouldn't have even been on the field. Some will no doubt claim that in his earlier confrontation with Ching, Guzan never made any contact with the Dynamo forward, as if Ching should have allowed himself to be taken out by Guzan's reckless challenge.

It's one thing to dive. It's quite another to leap out of the way to avoid contact, as Ching did in this case. Credit Guzan for rising to the occasion against De Rosario. But in this instance, Chivas -- and Guzan -- were both lucky and good, and will need an ample supply of these attributes when they head to Houston for next week's return leg.

Controversy abounded in Colorado, as well, but in this case, it was the visiting side who benefited the most. Dallas forward Carlos Ruiz clearly handled the ball in the run-up to his 15th-minute opening goal, and Abe Thompson appeared to be fractionally offside when Ronnie O'Brien delivered a cross-field pass that the Maryland product shot past Colorado goalkeeper Joe Cannon in the 55th minute.

But such details won't be what Dallas takes home from its playoff opener with the Rapids. Instead, the Hoops will focus on Thompson's continued development, the stellar keeping of Dario Sala and the thoroughly professional performance from all involved.

Thompson's game-winner was just reward for his tireless running and his ability to hold the ball up. Yet it was just a month ago that his role as super sub seemed set in stone. Back then, it appeared that Ruiz and Kenny Cooper were the preferred strike force of head coach Colin Clarke. But the Dallas manager concluded that the respective games of his forward tandem were too similar and that a different approach was needed. The decision was made more difficult by the fact that if Cooper was to remain in the lineup, it would mean sitting Ramon Nunez, who is perhaps the most dynamic midfielder on Dallas' roster.

It was a gutsy move by Clarke, but the choice has paid off, with interest. After a midsummer slump, Ruiz has returned to his predatory best, while Thompson has played the role of loyal foot soldier to perfection.

Clarke's touch has proved golden with other decisions, as well, especially in his choice to play Sala over Shaka Hislop in goal. The Argentine had been sidelined by a right calf strain since Sept. 16 but played close to peak form Saturday. Sala thrice saved his teammates in the first half when it looked like the Hoops would be overrun.

The movement of Colorado forwards Nico Hernandez and Thiago Martins was especially troublesome, but Sala's stellar play allowed Dallas to get to halftime tied 1-1. The Hoops righted themselves after the break and not only snatched the game-winning goal after 10 second-half minutes but also looked much more composed on defense.

That the Hoops could ride out their first-half rough patch would seem to reinforce their championship aspirations. At minimum, the confidence gained from their performance should be enough to dispose of a Colorado team that seems bent on self-destruction. It was bad enough that the Rapids couldn't translate their first-half domination into more than a halftime tie. But then there was the sight of defender Aitor Karanka hobbling off with a left thigh injury, meaning Pablo Mastroeni will likely continue to play in defense instead of his customary midfield role. The Rapids' misery was made complete when Martins drew a silly but deserved red card for elbowing Clarence Goodson with just minutes to go.

The loss of Martins cuts especially deep. His emergence over the last few weeks of the season was a bright spot for Colorado. Martins' ferocious work ethic and the understanding he developed with Hernandez had given the Rapids a much more potent attack. Now, with the Brazilian suspended for the second leg in Dallas next week, it means that Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo will look to the likes of either Clint Mathis or Jovan Kirovski to fill the gap. Given the minimal contribution they have provided this season, that appears to be no solution at all.

Yet Clavijo will no doubt emphasize to his team that they are only a goal down and remind his charges of their gutsy performance last year against the same opponent. All it takes is a heretofore unknown player to play the role of hero, and given the players who assumed that role this weekend, that remains a possibility.

Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet. He can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com.