While the Revs still have a few days of anticipation and preparation before their postseason road begins on Sunday afternoon against Chicago, the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs get underway this evening when Seattle Sounders FC hosts the Houston Dynamo. With that in mind, playoff analysis and predictions are in full effect.

First, a couple of Revolution-Fire specific stories in the Chicago press today, beginning with a preview from Orrin Schwarz in the Chicago Daily Herald which focuses on the much talked about familiarity between the two clubs. Meanwhile, Charlie Corr of ESPN Chicago takes a look at the injury problems which have limited New England and Chicago throughout the season.

In general playoff news, Jeff Carlisle writes for ESPN Soccernet about the possibility of upsets in the MLS Cup Playoffs, while Andrew Hush makes his playoff predictions.

Goal.com’s Allen Ramsey put together a list of players who could make a name for themselves in the 2009 postseaon, leading off with one of the Revolution’s star rookie defenders, Kevin Alston.

Finally, Martin Rogers of Yahoo! Sports asks five questions about the 2009 playoffs which should be answered in the coming weeks.