In the second part of our fan reps season review we look at the goals, MVPs, jokes and more of the Western Conference.

Eastern Conference review can be found here.

Chivas USA

Alicia Ratterree, The Goat Parade, Chivas USA:

Best Game:

Beating the LA Galaxy 1-0 in May, for Chivas USA's first win in the SuperClasico since 2007. It was a big monkey off their backs.

Worst game: Losing to the LA Galaxy 4-0 in August. Before that, Chivas had a shot at the playoffs. After that, their chance was gone.

MVP:

Dan Kennedy. As the runner-up for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Kennedy was definitely the brightest spot on a tough season.

Best goal:

Juan Pablo Angel scored a great acrobatic goal on his return to Red Bull Arena this summer in a 1-1 draw.

Best trade:

It is hard to say, since Chivas made several trades and the team performed so poorly overall, but I suppose the best one for the season had to be the trade for Danny Califf, who provided some much-needed leadership on the backline for the Goats.

Highlight of the year:

Jose Correa's goal deep in injury time in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal against the Charlotte Eagles, to give Chivas the 2-1 win.

Low point of the year:

There were many, if we're being honest, but the aforementioned loss to the Galaxy and the 6-2 loss at home against the Seattle Sounders were absolutely brutal.

Running joke among fans:

If there was any, it was pretty much gallows humor.

Colorado Rapids

Todd Haggerty, Pid Army:

Best Game:

I don't know where to begin, there are so many choose from (editor: possible sarcasm alert), but if I had to choose one it would the classic, thrilling 1-0 victory over RSL (or any of the pulsating encounters between the Rapids and Chivas or Portland)

Worst game:

Can I choose the whole month of July? If I had to choose one it would be the 4-1 loss to San Jose at home. The Earthquakes demonstrated how much better of team they have become and how far the Rapids of declined since meeting the Conference final two years ago. The Quakes easily could have scored 8 that match.

MVP:

The beer stand staff...they saved many an evening, so did Matt Pickens (easily the MVP of the team).

Best goal:

Quincy Amarikwa's goal in the home opener against Columbus.

Best trade:

Paul Bravo runs the Rapids so I can't answer this question with a straight face.

Highlight of the year:

The merging of supporters terrace for the last two games of the year--best atmosphere all season.

Low point of the year:

July/August and implementing possession oriented football.

Running joke among fans:

The Front Office, the four mascots, or if the joke's on us for showing up.

FC Dallas

Gina Zippilli, The Inferno, Dallas:

Best Game: In terms of scoreline, the 5-0 win over Portland. In terms of sheer fight and determination, the 1-0 win over Vancouver.

Worst game:

The loss to Seattle that eventually eliminated us from playoff contention. We looked flat and apathetic at the worst possible time to look like it.

MVP:

Kevin Hartman and Matt Hedges.

Best goal:

Julian de Guzman's 96th minute volley against Vancouver to singlehandedly keep us in the playoff race.

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Best trade: We only ever make mediocre/terrible trades, so I'll go with the Andrew Wiedeman for Julian de Guzman trade as he- unlike most of our trades- actually did something at some point this year.

Highlight of the year: There are a few. It wasn't THE highlight of the year, but it deserves a mention because it was awesome. Bruno Guarda was anything but a fan favorite in his time here, but his backflip during the PK shootout against Leon was fantastic (the whole sequence starts at 6:08, Bruno's response is at 6:41).

And of course, who could forget the return of 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira? After 15 months out with a broken ankle (and then another foot injury), Ferreira returned to great applause on July 4th against Toronto. It was a much needed boost of confidence in the middle of a rough time for the team.

Off the field, Chris Seitz went MIA towards the end of the season and none of the fans knew why. About a month ago, an article surfaced that explained everything. I'm still in awe of his bravery and selflessness.

Low point of the year:

The winless streak at the start of the season; it's frustrating when your fans care more than your players.

Running joke among fans:

During the winless streak, we averaged one injury and one redcard per game- so we would start each game by making predictions as to which player would suffer which fate. Other than that, it's the usual running joke that we won't trade for a player unless he went to SMU.

LA Galaxy

Josie Becker, Editor, LAG Confidential, Los Angeles:

Best Game:

MLS Cup 2012. It encapsulated everything that made this season so interesting: Landon Donovan's ennui, David Beckham trying incredibly hard, Omar Gonzalez turning things around in the second half, Donovan screwing his courage to the sticking place and redeeming himself, Robbie Keane having the best nose for goal even if two were disallowed.

Worst game:

Seattle 4 - Galaxy 0. It was the match that made it seem like maybe the Galaxy were just fooling themselves, that things weren't going to come back together. Luckily it was just a blip.

MVP:

Robbie Keane. He topped the Castrol Index, he was the team's golden boot winner. He does so many things on offense beside scoring goals, and in a year when the Galaxy got into several shootouts (rather than shut teams out over and over), that was key.

Best goal:

Omar Gonzalez going up top in MLS Cup.

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Best trade:

Sending Chad Barrett out on loan.

Highlight of the year:

David Beckham wearing the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes, parading around with the MLS Cup.

Low point of the year: The entire first half of the season.

Running joke among fans: Edson Buddle spends more time on the ground than the ball.

Portland Timbers

Roger Anthony, Timbers Army, Portland:

Best Game:

Opening night against the Union on March 12: A glorious Portland downpour, a come-from-behind 3-1 win. The Timbers later beat Seattle at home, but the train had derailed by then.

Worst game:

There were about five games where the club just quit, but the 5-0 loss at Dallas was probably the bottom of the barrel.

MVP:

Midfielder Diego Chara

Best goal:

Man-Without-A-Position Darlington Nagbe was again nominated for MLS Goal of the Year for his second goal against Real Salt Lake on March 31. The hyperventilating Portland media was sure a star had been born. Nagbe promptly went four-and-a-half months without so much as an assist.

Best trade:

On June 6, Portland acquired former MLS No. 1 draft choice Danny Mwanga in exchange for speedy forward Jorge Perlaza. Philadelphia released Perlaza on Aug. 28.

Highlight of the year:

Jack Jewsbury's net-seeking missile that produced a stunning though inartistic 1-0 win in Vancouver. The team's only road win of the year was rewarded with the Cascadia Cup, emblematic of Pacific Northwest supremacy.

Low point of the year:

The humiliating 1-0 Open Cup loss – at home! – to amateur squad Cal FC.

Running joke among fans:

One explanation for the bewildering trade of consummate pro Troy Perkins for aging Impact keeper Donovan Ricketts: When Montreal offered "Donovan," the Timbers thought they'd be getting Landon.

Real Salt Lake

Denzel Eslinger, RSL Soapbox:

Best Game:

3-0 win over Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center, perhaps the most complete match RSL played all season. RSL had a lot of matches where they played a good 45 or 60 minutes, but this was perhaps the only match all year that RSL showed what their potential really was. Worst game:

The 3-2 loss to the LA Galaxy, after going ahead 2-0 early in the match RSL allowed the Galaxy to not only get back into the match but were punished for a series of mistakes that gave the Galaxy life in the match - many believe this was a turning point of the year for the eventual MLS Cup winners. RSL hates to lose at home, and to lose at home after leading is something that is very rare, RSL was 10-3-2 on the season at that point and would win just 7 of their remaining 19 matches. MVP:

Alvaro Saborio – his 17 goals and 3 assists were a huge part of the success RSL had this year. Best goal:

The Kyle Beckerman goal against Portland, it was a thing of beauty. Kyle starts the play with his passing, and then finding himself left alone at the top of the box calls for the ball from Fabian Espindola and then he swats it out of the air and into the back of the net for the stoppage time game winner. Best trade:

Picking up Kwame Watson-Siriboe from the Chicago Fire for a 4th round 2014 draft pick. After joining the club at the end of June, Kwame made 10 starts and 12 appearances for RSL, adding much needed depth at center back and I expect that the best is yet to come for him with RSL. Highlight of the year:

I have to say the late come from behind win at Portland, a match that not only showed that RSL had found a way to win on the road but could also come from behind on the road. RSL finished with 6 road wins in 2012 a high water mark for the team. Jonny Steele drew RSL even with Portland at 2-2 in the 89th minute and then in stoppage time Kyle Beckerman got the game winner as RSL came out on top 3-2. Low point of the year:

First choice starting XI played under 200 minutes together all season. A ton of injuries kept the top lineup for RSL (Nick Rimando, Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert, Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy, Javier Morales, Will Johnson, Fabian Espindola, and Alvaro Saborio. Between injuries, national team call ups, and other issues RSL rarely saw their best players on the pitch at the same time. Running joke among fans:

I am not sure if there really is one, if there is I was probably the butt of it and so nobody told me about it.

San Jose Earthquakes

Lisa Erickson, Center Line Soccer, San Jose:

Best Game:

San Jose vs LA on 6/30/12 at Stanford Stadium, where the Earthquakes won 4 - 3 in front of over 50,391 fans. But other fans might reflect on beating Real Salt Lake 5 - 0 on 7/14 at home for the "Best in the West" and "Best in the League" titles as the game to remember.

Worst Game:

If including post-season it would be losing to LA in the Western Conference Semi-Finals after Victor Bernardez went down with an injury in the 11th minute; otherwise, it would have to be against New York with both Bernardez and Shea Salinas being seriously injured before the half, thus losing them until the end of June.

MVP: Hands down Chris Wondolowski due to tying the record for most goals scored in a regular season with 27

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Best goal:

How to choose out of 72 amazing goals... Out of the 27 Chris Wondolowski goals, I love the back heel to beat the LA at Stanford. But then there was Victor Bernardez's amazing free kick goal or Alan Gordon getting the stoppage time winner against LA in LA. Too many to love.

Best trade:

Hands down has to be Marvin Chavez from FC Dallas! He brought speed, accuracy and a couple of goals this season. (Best trade out would have to be Bobby Convey to SKC)

Highlight of the year: Winning the Supporters' Shield with 66 points and a goals for average of 2.12 per game.

Low point of the year:

Crashing out of the playoffs at home versus the Galaxy

Running joke among fans: "Goonies never say Die!" The Quakes scored 22 goals after the 76th minute and broke the MLS record by scoring 9 stoppage time goals

Seattle Sounders

Sam Chesneau, Gorilla FC, Seattle:

Best game:

Seattle 2 Santos Laguna 1

Worst game:

Santos Laguna 6 Seattle 1 / First leg of western conference final

MVP:

Osvaldo Alonso

Best Goal:

Ianni bicycle kick

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Best trade:

Christian Tiffert for Flaco Fernandez

Highlight of year:

Mario Martinez goal against Real Salt Lake in the MLS cup playoffs

Low point of the year:

Tie - pk loss to SKC in US Open cup; loss to Los Angeles in 1st leg of western conference final

Running joke among fans:

Portland Timbers organization.

Vancouver Whitecaps

Brenton Walters, Communications Director, Vancouver Southsiders:

Best Game:

It's a toss-up: our first 2-1 win over San Jose was a thrilling last-minute win and an assertion of our intent for the season. And our 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake was a great win that featured the debut of Andy O'Brien and felt like a comfortable win over a conference rival and one of the traditional powers in the last few seasons.

Worst game:

The 1-0 loss to Portland at our last home match of the season. Horrible. Lifeless. And could have cost us our play-off spot.

MVP:

Two players stood out for their play over the entire season: young midfielder Gershon Koffie and veteran fullback YP Lee. Additionally, Jay DeMerit warrants mention here, for his all-around leadership and presence on the team. But I have to go with Lee – he was maybe the best fullback in the league, and he added depth to our attack and solidity to our defence.

Best goal:

No question: Hassli's wundergoal volley that is up for the 2012 Puskas award.

Best trade:

Ooh, tough one for us. Many of the trades (or transactions, as we made very few actual trades) we made this season hurt rather than improved the team. Acquiring Lee was obviously a great move for the club, and bringing Andy O'Brien in from Leeds looks like an excellent move as well.

Highlight of the year:

Beating the best team in the league (San Jose, not LA) twice. That and the massive presence we brought to Seattle. Highlights of the year, I think you meant to ask.

Low point of the year:

Our five game losing streak, part of which was giving up an 11-point lead over Dallas, included losing to Dallas twice in a month. We scored one goal in five games. In the fifth game of the streak Dallas beat us 1-0 in Vancouver on a last-gasp goal deep into injury time. Truly heartbreaking moment.

Running joke among fans:

Barry Robson waving his arms at the ref and teammates as the cause of our poor form.