Sean Franklin's Curling Thunderbolt was the MLS Playoffs Goal of the Weekend

The Los Angeles Galaxy are looking to win their third-straight MLS Championship, albeit without that Beckham character. They’re off to a good start in the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal against Real Salt Lake thanks to this powerful second-half strike from defender Sean Franklin. Franklin’s screamer gives the Galaxy a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg Thursday night in Utah.

Franklin himself had a great quote about the goal:

"” Once I opened my eyes, the ball was in the back of the net. “"

The standard television broadcast angle almost doesn’t do the goal proper justice. This reverse angle gives a much better picture how much curve Franklin got on the ball. It’s hard to connect cleaner than he did.

Overall it proved to be a good weekend for MLS and all four conference semifinals are still up for grabs heading into the second legs which will be played during the week. Portland had a 2-0 lead against rival Seattle, only to see Oswaldo Alonso score late for the Sounders, making Thursday night’s game in Portland one of the more interesting MLS affairs in quite some time.

The Supporter’s Shield champion New York Red Bulls channeled their futile history, turning a 2-0 lead at halftime against Houston into a 2-2 game going back to New York. Surprising New England notched a 2-1 result vs. Sporting Kansas City in the other conference semifinal.

MLS is criticized often, but the playoffs tend to be compelling viewing.