With the Eastern and Western Conference Championships upon us, the MLSnet.com staff takes a moment to size up each matchup.
Record New York: 10-11-9 (5th in East); Real Salt Lake: 10-10-10 (3rd in West)
Home Record NY: 9-3-3; RSL: 8-1-6
Road Record NY: 1-8-6 (0-0-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium); RSL: 2-9-4
Vs. Opponent NY: 1-0-1 -- Sept. 13: NY 2, RSL 1 ( watch) | Oct. 9: RSL 1, NY 1 ( watch)
Season Goal Diff NY: -6 RSL: +1
Semifinals NY: 4-1 aggregate over Houston; RSL: 3-2 aggregate over Chivas USA
New York: Danny Cepero entered the MLS Cup Playoffs as the Red Bulls’ biggest X-factor following the late-season loss of Jon Conway. The 23-year-old MLS rookie showed his inexperience at times in the Red Bulls’ Western Conference Semifinal Series with Houston, but he posted an impressive clean sheet at Robertson Stadium. The only other visiting ‘keepers to do that this year were Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Matt Reis (New England) and Louis Crayton (D.C. United).

Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando was one of just six players -- and four goalkeepers -- to play every minute of every league game for their team this season and he authored the year's second-longest shutout streak, a 355-minute span from June 28 through July 28. His 1.30 GAA was tied for sixth in the league. Rimando doesn’t get the attention that some of his peers do, but he’s been about as consistent as they come in 2008.

Edge:
New York: The Red Bulls backline saw a number of faces throughout the year and was thrown into a state of flux at the end of the season following Jeff Parke’s suspension. However, the unit played well against Houston, allowing just one goal in two games. Veteran Chris Leitch stepped in at fullback opposite Kevin Goldthwaite, who had a standout year, and in-season pickups Andrew Boyens and Diego Jimenez stabilized the central defense.

Real Salt Lake: Jamison Olave emerged this season as one of the league’s premier defenders and a physical, intimidating presence in the box. San Diego-born, Scottish-raised Ian Joy came on strong in the second half to join Olave, Chris Wingert and Nat Borchers on a backline that did not surrender more than two goals in a game over the final two months of the season. The late-season addition of Robbie Russell, who had two assists against Chivas, has given RSL great versatility along the backline and in the midfield.

Edge:
New York: South American imports Jorge Rojas and Juan Pietravallo were a major part of the Red Bulls midfield in the second half, but Juan Carlos Osorio drastically altered the look of this unit against Houston, pairing Luke Sassano and Sinisa Ubiparipovic in the middle for the first time since April 27 to great success. Wingers Dane Richards and Dave van den Bergh, who scored twice against RSL this season, figure prominently in the Red Bulls attack, with Richards in particular perhaps playing his best soccer of the season right now.

Real Salt Lake: Good friends off the field, Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales have founded an equally successful partnership on it. Beckerman controls the flow of play from his holding spot, while Morales has become one of the league's most dangerous players. The Argentinean had a goal and two assists in a stellar series against Chivas. Will Johnson has emerged as a valuable wing player since his August arrival, with Dema Kovalenko filling the other wide role against Chivas USA. Veteran Andy Williams has provided a spark off the bench.

Edge:
New York: Juan Carlos Osorio is not shy about saying that, when given service, Juan Pablo Angel is the premier striker in MLS. Angel had been pairing with Mike Magee up front for most of the second half, but Osorio has again changed things up in the postseason, inserting veteran John Wolyniec, who started just five games this season, into the lineup. The 31-year-old responded with a goal and assist against Houston.

Real Salt Lake: Former Red Bull Clint Mathis has yet to score a goal since returning to RSL in August, but his presence has perhaps opened space for Yura Movsisyan, who has been on a late-season scoring binge since Mathis' arrival, adding another one in the first leg against Chivas. Speedy Robbie Findley has become a valuable late-game sub for Jason Kreis and a source of instant offense for the RSL attack.

Edge:
New York: For the second year in a row, Osorio has a team in a conference championship in his first season with a club. You have to tip your cap to his masterful moves against Houston. Osorio raised more than a few eyebrows by drastically reshuffling his starting XI before his team’s biggest game of the season, but as they say, the proof is in the pudding. You have to believe that he won’t hesitate to alter his lineup again if he sees a matchup to exploit against RSL.

Real Salt Lake: Jason Kreis, who once held the title of MLS's all-time leading scorer, proved that his young age for a head coach (35) was not a hindrance, guiding RSL to their inaugural playoff berth and first-ever postseason series victory in his first full season on the job. More an image of cool opposite the often-fiery Osorio, Kreis could be on a remarkably quick path to the MLS Cup.

Edge:
New York: The Red Bulls struggled tremendously on the road this season, going just 1-8-6 away from Giants Stadium. However, they did not appear intimidated going into Robertson Stadium for their second leg against the Dynamo, and they earned a draw against RSL in the inaugural match at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Real Salt Lake: RSL were nearly unbeatable at home this season, losing just once in 15 matches at Rice-Eccles Stadium and Rio Tinto Stadium. Real have not lost in three matches since moving into Rio Tinto, but it was the Red Bulls who spoiled their housewarming party with a 1-1 draw on Oct. 9.

Edge:
New York: The Red Bulls essentially backed into the MLS Cup Playoffs and were written off as essentially an afterthought against the two-time defending MLS Cup champions, but they proved their doubters wrong and may be playing their best soccer of the year at just the right time. They have never lost to RSL in club history, and after being left for dead just two weeks ago, the Red Bulls might now actually be the favorites to reach the MLS Cup.

Real Salt Lake: New York’s upset of the Dynamo may have taken some of the luster off of RSL’s upset of Chivas USA, but thwarting the rival Red-and-White was a pivotal moment for the Utah-based side. They have an edge in consistency on the newly-reformed Red Bulls, with their current starting XI having played together for most of the second half. To reach their first MLS Cup though, they’ll have to defy history. As already pointed out, they’ve never beaten the Red Bulls.

Edge: