We’ve got the Eastern Conference representative…  Who will be the Western Conference’s?

One of the biggest tests in the 13-year history of the Columbus Crew will come tonight in the MLS Eastern Conference Final — on the field and in the stands.

ESPN Preview here, Soccer America Preview here, Goal Preview here, Vegas Sports Odds Preview here.

Eastern Conference Final, Columbus Crew vs Chicago from Crew Stadium, Thursday 7:30 EST, ESPN2.

If the games between the teams this season are any indication then the match could be headed to penalty kicks to decide a winner. They tied 2-2 in Columbus on July 5 and 2-2 in Chicago on Oct. 12 when Fire forward and Brian McBride scored twice in his first match against his former club. This will be McBride’s first game in Columbus as a member of the Fire.

“It’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a tough game, lots of fouls, hard tackles. We’re expecting them to come all out and the thing is it’s at home for us,” says Frankie Hejduk. “This is really big for the organization and our fans. They’ve waited a long time,” said midfielder Duncan Oughton. “We’re going to play our style of play. We’ll let them worry about us because we’re not worrying about them, ” says Hejduk.

Images via Foxsports and Flickr

Via Chicago Sun-Times:

“Exciting news about the Fire. Not so much about the team advancing to the Eastern Conference finals Thursday against Columbus, but rather about the team going to have cheerleaders next season. It’s about time. Well, and about shaking things up.”

Image via Faniq

Pretty funny highlights of Blanco in the second leg of the MLS 1st Round Playoffs against the Revolution.

They put up a good fight, but without Ralston, Twellman, Cristman, Smith AND losing Larentowicz in the first half just proved to be too much for the Revs against a very solid Fire tonight.

And don’t forget Albright will be forced to miss the first game next season after being sent off.

Damn, Chris Rolfe was untouchable last night.

And Conde… not so much.