Major League Soccer’s playoff format was ostensibly designed to give the top seed in each conference the biggest advantage possible, with the higher seed enjoying home field advantage in the crucial second leg. That theory will be put to the test this year, because both of the lower seeds in these conference finals have earned commanding leads over each of the top seeds heading into the second leg. If you missed any of the exciting action from the first leg of each conference final, we’re here to get you caught up. Here’s what happened:
Columbus overwhelm Red Bulls in first leg
The Columbus Crew are off to a dream start in the first leg of their Eastern conference final with the New York Red Bulls. The hosts were one goal to the good an astonishing nine seconds into the match when Justin Meram latched onto a loose ball inside the penalty area and slotted it past Luis Robles. It was the fastest goal in MLS Playoffs history.
Jesse Marsch’s Red Bulls are known for their high intensity, high pressing philosophy, but it was the Crew who beat them at their own strategy in this one. Federico Higuain, Kei Kamara, and Ethan Finlay made it uncomfortable for Dax McCarty and the New York back line all night, making it difficult for them to create many chances.
Five minutes from the end of regulation, Kamara added a second Crew goal to extend the lead to 2-0. Substitute Cedrick Mabwati skated past three Red Bulls players to get a shot on goal, Robles parried, but it fell to an open Kamara who tapped in easily to finish off the two-goal opening leg win. It was a huge result for the Crew, who avoid conceding an away goal and have a massive advantage heading to Red Bull Arena next weekend.
Final Score: Columbus Crew SC 2-0 New York Red Bulls
Late goal gives Portland big advantage heading to Dallas
The Portland Timbers are in the driver’s seat of their conference final matchup with FC Dallas after defeating the young upstarts 3-1 in the first leg. The Timbers came out on the front foot and put Dallas under pressure from the opening whistle, and it paid off in the 23rd minute when Darlington Nagbe’s floated corner was flicked on by Dairon Asprilla into the path of defender Liam Ridgewell. The veteran took it in stride and poked his shot into the net for the first half lead.
After the halftime break Portland continued to control the game, doubling their lead through a stunning strike by Asprilla. A loose ball found its way to the right winger, he took a touch outside of his marker and unleashed a wicked curling effort that baffled 20-year-old Jesse Gonzalez in the net and banged off the crossbar and in for a sensational goal. Instead of buckling, FC Dallas was inspired and pulled one back less than 10 minutes later after a lovely team move by Mauro Diaz and JeVaughn Watson, David Texeira finished in front of the Portland net for a vital away goal.
With stoppage time ticking down it looked as if the result would please both sides, but Portland would not settle for a one goal lead. Another floated corner by Nagbe was fumbled around near the Dallas goalline until defender Nat Borchers bundled it over the line for a huge goal in the tie. The Timbers will now take a two-goal lead to Dallas and look to be well on their way to the club’s first appearance in MLS Cup.
Final Score: Portland Timbers 3-1 FC Dallas