MLS Cup 2010 Kick Off

Major League Soccer playoffs kickoff tonight when Columbus travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to take on the Colorado Rapids.  In a year clearly dominated by western conference teams, this will be the chance for a perennial eastern conference power to grab this series by the collar.  But Columbus comes into the playoffs limping.  They lost starting goalkeeper Will Hesmer to a broken shoulder in the final game of the regular season.  That means that that University of Kentucky alum Andy Gruenebaum will have to step into the most important games of his career in Columbus are to make it to the final.  Here a few keys to the game:

Andy Gruenebaum 
As I said earlier, Gruenebaum is in for the injured Hesmer for as far as Columbus goes in the playoffs.  The Crew's road to the final is pretty tough.  First up is the Colorado strike force of Omar Cummings (14 goals) and Conor Casey (13 goals).  Columbus are vulnerable on the road, especially with a backup GK.  Gruenebaum will need to grow up quick to slow down that duo.

Andy Iro and Chad Marshall vs. Omar Cummings and Conor Casey
Talk about your epic first round battles, this is the key match up in the series.  Iro and Marshall are big and physical, but lack speed.  Casey should be simple enough to deal with, but Cummings will present a different monster to deal with.  How the Crew adjust to compensate could make the difference in this one.

Check out the game tonight on ESPN2 at 9pm ET.