JOHN GODFREY

Will anybody be shocked if the New York Red Bulls crash out against Sporting Kansas City (8pm ET, ESPN2) tonight? At the same time, would anybody be surprised to see this team destroy its Eastern Conference competition and make it all the way to the MLS Cup Final on December 7?

Not me.

You never know what you're going to get with the Enigma on the Passaic. In June, Mike Petke's men fell 3-0 to the second-tier New York Cosmos. Last month, the Red Bulls thumped the Seattle Sounders 4-1 on September 20...only to capitulate to the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 just eight days later.

Sporting KC isn't exactly the paragon of consistency either—not this season anyway. A dreadful end to the 2014 campaign saw SKC finish fifth in the conference, and despite all of its Zusis and Beslers and Dwyers and Feilhabers—that's a whole lot of handsome, isn't it?—MLS's model franchise is playing some ugly soccer these days.

PLAYER TO WATCH

If Thierry Henry is on the field, I'm watching him. As far as I'm concerned Henry is the best player to ever grace a Major League Soccer field, and his passing and vision this year has been nothing short of phenomenal. Just ask Bradley Wright-Phillips. Henry is not long for this continent, so I'm going to enjoy watching him while I can.

PREDICTION

New York 6, Sporting Kansas 3. Or perhaps the other way around. No clue.

Brooke Tunstall

That last year’s MLS Cup winner and last year’s Supporters’ Shield winner are facing off in a 4-5 game in the MLS playoffs says a great deal about the competitive balance in the league. For all its faults, MLS is a league where parity gives most of its teams a shot and that these two sides have to play in this game just to stay alive in the playoffs underscores that point.

As for the matchup itself, Kansas City has staggered down the stretch—2-7-1 since mid-August. Despite its champions’ pedigree it’s hard to feel good about them heading into the playoffs, especially since New York dominated them Sunday. While KC staggered down the stretch, New York went 6-3-1 to finish the season—including winning three of its last four—to secure home field advantage tonight. Both teams are maddeningly inconsistent, especially given their talent level and last year’s trophies, and either is capable of making a long run in the post-season.

PLAYER TO WATCH

If Benny Feilhaber is healthy enough to play he gives Sporting a much-needed creative spark. Bradley Wright-Phillips' record-tying goal-scoring season will make him a marked man. And Graham Zusi and Tim Cahill showed in the World Cup they can do things that can carry a team in the post-season.

But come on, the player to watch in this match-up is Thierry Henry! Arguably the best player to ever play in the league has hinted that this is likely his last season, at least in MLS, and it’s hard to imagine he plans on going out with a whimper in a 4-5 playoff game on a Thursday night. Expect Henry to call on his considerable skill and guile to try and extend his MLS tenure a bit longer.

PREDICTION

Sporting Kansas City has been flat and looked vulnerable defensively for three months now and it can’t be ignored that the Red Bulls won the series this year 2-0-1. (SKC only scored two goals in those three games.) Toss in the Henry factor and the home-field advantage and the Red Bulls prevail, 3-1.

BRIAN SCIARETTA

On paper, New York should win this game. Sporting Kansas City has stumbled down the stretch and has not looked right—offensively or defensively. With Benny Feilhaber's status unknown, Kansas City's chances look even more bleak. On the flip side, the Red Bulls looked impressive against Kansas City on Sunday night and should have Theirry Henry back in action. Playing at home, the Red Bulls should be the clear favorites.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Bradley Wright-Phillips is the key to this game. New York showed on Sunday it can beat Sporting with or without Henry, but if its leading goal scorer is off it is not so clear. Phillips won the Golden Boot with a record-tying season but he also missed many chances as well. With the playoffs on hand, the pressure will only increase.

Prediction

The one thing New York has going against it is its long history of playoff disappointments. Can it avoid that fate? Yes. New York 2, Kansas City 1.

BLAKE THOMSEN

This is a classic matchup of one team that limped into the postseason and another that is playing some of its best soccer of the year. Kansas City’s form has been curiously indifferent since the World Cup, while New York has been in fine form to close out the season. Even more relevantly, New York went into Sporting Park and smoked Kansas City on Sunday night. The only thing SKC has in its favor is a recent track record of postseason success. Everything else screams that the Red Bulls take this one comfortably.

Player to watch

Bradley Wright-Phillips is the obvious call here, but I’m going to go ahead and nominate Thierry Henry. After BWP torched Kansas City for two goals on Sunday, all of its defensive efforts will be focused on containing the MLS Golden Boot winner. Though the French legend has primarily served as a provider this season, the stage may just be set for Henry to step up his goal scoring and send New York into the conference semifinals.

Prediction

The cynic in me says that New York will crumble (again) as a playoff favorite, but realistically I just can’t see it happening. One for Henry, one from the penalty spot for Wright-Phillips. 2-0 Red Bulls.

Agree? Disagree? The comments section is all yours.