Make sure to tune into MLSsoccer.com today at 3:30 pm ET to listen to a live stream of the Eastern Conference Championship press conference, featuring players and coaches from both the Colorado Rapids and the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Rapids will play host to the Earthquakes at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday (9:30 pm ET, FSC) as both teams look to advance to the MLS Cup on Nov. 21 at BMO Field in Toronto.
FOLLOW THE PRESS CONFERENCE HERE (3:30 pm ET)
Head coach Gary Smith and veteran midfielder Pablo Mastroeni will kick off the press conference as the Rapids look to reach their first MLS Cup since 1997. Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop and midfielder Bobby Convey will follow at 4 pm ET to talk about San Jose's aspirations of winning the third MLS Cup in franchise history after wins in 2001 and 2003.
Smith has taken the Rapids from outside of the postseason picture to the brink of the MLS Cup in just over two seasons on the job since replacing Fernando Clavijo in 2008.
Mastroeni has been the face of the franchise since joining in 2002 and is the club’s all-time leader in appearances. He notched his first career postseason goal in the Eastern Conference semifinal series opener against Columbus, a 1-0 Rapids win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Oct. 28.
Yallop leads the Earthquakes into the postseason for the first time since the franchise’s 2008 rebirth, and is in search of the third MLS title of his head coaching career. He won an MLS Cup with the Quakes in 2001 and 2003.
Convey was the hero of the Quakes’ 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls in the second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals last Thursday, scoring two goals and adding the series-clinching assist to Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski.
