Playoff Report

Update--Can the best offensive team in the league--94 goals in 34 games--defeat the second-best defensive team? In four regular-season games, the verdict was split. The explosive Galaxy and defense-minded Fire each won twice and each scored five goals. The Galaxy’s Cobi Jones (19 goals), Welton (17) and Mauricio Cienfuegos (13) all finished among the league’s top 10 scorers. Chicago had no player in the top 15. Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton gave up a league-low 1.17 goals a game. The Galaxy’s Kevin Hartman gave up 1.38 but is listed as only probable because of a bruised left knee.