MLS Cup Conference Semi-Finals Roundup Game 1
By Ben Rycroft
_________________________________
Eastern Conference Semi-finals
Columbus Crew (1) vs. Kansas City Wizards (4)
Leg 1 result (in Kansas City): Columbus 1 Kansas City 1
Highlights: Here
Lowlights: The red card handed out to the Wizards' Herculez Gomez for a tackle that wouldn't even be a yellow card in most leagues around the world.
Can't help but think: Kansas City who dominated for most of the game, blew their chances of a series upset when they flubbed on no less than five clearing attempts in extra time before Columbus substitute Stevan Lenhart drew the Crew even.
Next game: Sat. Nov. 8. 7:30 p.m. (in Columbus)
Chicago Fire (2) vs. New England Revolution (3)
Leg 1 result (in New England): Chicago 0 New England 0
Highlights: Here
Lowlights: Cuauhtemoc Blanco's diving dramatics. New England's Jay Heaps gave him a little love tap and Blanco went down in typical Blanco fashion as though he had been shot. Classless all the way.
Can't help but think: An attendance of just over 5,000 is a disgusting turnout for an MLS playoff game.
Next Game: Thurs. Nov. 6. 8:30 p.m. (in Chicago)
Western Conference Semi-Finals
Houston Dynamo (1) vs. New York Red Bulls (4)
Leg 1 results (in New York): Houston 1 New York 1
Highlights: Here
Lowlights: Watching a football match being played in an NFL stadium. Ironic, no. Sad, yes. The Red Bulls new footie specific stadium cannot be built fast enough.
Can't help but think: That when New York's Juan Pablo Angel, one of the nominees for the Most Sportsmanlike Player award, is carded in a playoff game, there might be a little bit of tension between these two teams.
Next Game: Sun. Nov. 9. 3 p.m. (in Houston)
Chivas USA (2) vs. Real Salt Lake (3)
Leg 1 results (in Salt Lake): Real Salt Lake 1 Chivas 0
Highlights: Here
Lowlights: None to speak of. All around, a very entertaining match.
Can't help but think: Chivas looked completely outclassed on this night. The final score could have easily been three or four nil if not for the play of Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
Next Game: Sat. Nov. 8. 10:30 p.m. (at Chivas)
Cheers