First leg of MLS playoffs

In the Major League Soccer playoffs the conference semifinal series are based on aggregate scoring. This means that the teams will play two games each which play one at home. The team that scores the most goals in the two games wins. The winners of those four series advance to single game conference championships that will determine the Major League Soccer Cup Finalists.

Chicago Fire vs New England Revolution 0-0
The Chicago Fire left New England with their first ever playoff point and a chance to knock off the defending Eastern Conference champions at home. Nothing was really generated by both offenses but Brian McBride's header into the net was negated by an offside call in the 76th minute. Of course he didn't think it was offside, but when does a forward ever think he is offside? He could be 20 yards offside and still find an argument with the ref. Chicago, which had never earned a win or a tie in six previous playoff trips to New England, returns home for the finale of the two game series.

Kansas City Wizards vs Columbus Crew 1-1
Davy Arnaud's diving header in the 53rd minute put the Wizards up 1-0.The Wizards had to play a man down after the 75th minute. Midfielder Herculez Gomez was issued a straight red card for serious foul play, for a hard tackle on Gino Padula. He will be suspended for the next game. Steven Lenhart scored in the second minute of second half stoppage time, salvaging a 1-1 tie for the Columbus Crew against the Kansas City Wizards in the first leg. Danny O'Rourke's shot went off Wizards defender Tyson Wahl and bounced to Jaime Moreno, who chested it to Lenhart for the equalizer from 22 yards.

New York Red Bulls vs Houston Dynamo 1-1
The New York Red Bulls had to look at Saturday's tie with the Houston Dynamo as a wasted opportunity. The Red Bulls, playing with a makeshift lineup due to several injuries, illnesses and suspensions, were five minutes away from upsetting the Houston Dynamo. But Kei Kamara's goal in the 85th minute off a scramble in front of the net gave the Dynamo a 1-1 tie.Houston, which won the regular season conference title, has now gone 10 matches without a loss. The second and final game of the aggregate goal series will be played in Houston on Nov. 9, with the winner advancing to the Western Conference championship series.

Real Salt Lake vs Chivas USA 1-0
Getting past Chivas defender Shavar Thomas, Movsisyan flicked the ball past goalkeeper Zach Thornton, giving the home team another late goal for the second straight week. Movsisyan scored in the 90th minute in the regular-season finale at Colorado last week to lift Real Salt Lake into the playoffs. Real Salt Lake can win the two-game playoff series with a win or tie at Chivas next weekend.

The first leg is already an exciting start to the Major League Soccer Playoffs. With three ties and only a 1-0 win, these next games will surely not disappoint as all these teams are still easily in contention to move onto the next round and will be playing out of desperation. Also I expect to see even more games coming down to the wire as most of the games were won or tied in stoppage time.