MLS Playoffs: Conference Finals

This weekend the Conference Finals for the Major League Soccer have finally concluded and we now know our two teams that will be heading to face off against each other for the MLS Cup. We have the Columbus Crew taking on the New York Red Bulls.

Columbus Crew 2-1 Chicago Fire

After having the best record during the regular season it is only rightfully so that the Columbus Crew are going to appear in their first ever Major League Soccer Cup championship.

The Fire opened the scoring on a header from Brian McBride in the 29th minute. The former Crew forward sent the ball from the top of the box over goalkeeper Will Hesmer's head for an early 1 to 0 lead. It was McBride's 10th career playoff goal. One of the most popular players in Columbus history, McBride was booed heavily by the Crew faithful every time he touched the ball.

Columbus answered quickly in the second half, as defender Chad Marshall headed in a service off Guillermo Barros Schelotto's direct kick for the equalizer. Six minutes later, a pair of headers set up Gaven, who faced tight defense inside the box but drilled a shot past the Chicago Fire goalkeeper just inside the left post for a 2-1 lead.

"This is absolutely huge," Schmid said. "We talked at halftime about trying to get behind their defense and we also thought we were getting closer on set pieces. Then the first goal is off a set piece and the second goal is Gaven getting played in behind."

Chicago had been the only MLS team that Columbus hadn't beaten this season. Both teams played two games of 2-2 draws during the regular season.
New York Red Bulls 1-0 Real Salt Lake

Dave van den Bergh scored halfway through the first half and the New York Red Bulls got a few fortunate bounces as they clinched their first ever appearance in the MLS Cup with a 1 0 victory over Real Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake came close to tying the game manyl times, but hit the post four other times. The loss was difficult to accept for an emotional Real Salt Lake team that controlled possession from early in the first half.

"It was chance after chance after chance," second-year Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis said. "I drove myself to laughter on the bench. It was either that or cry."

Driving the anxious crowd absolutely mad, Morales barely missed tying the match in the fourth minute of stoppage time after he volleyed his own rebound off the left post from the top of the penalty area. Moments later, the referee's whistle sounded and New York players rejoiced while Real Salt Lake could only think about all the chances they had missed.

"They were inches away, literally, from scoring goals," Cepero said. "Some nights there are nights where it's just not going to go in for a team. Fortunately for us, it was that kind of night for Real Salt Lake."

New York will play the Columbus Crew for the championship on November 23 in Carson, California. The Crew claimed the Supporters' Shield for most points after the regular season. If I was asked who would win this game, I would have to say the Columbus Crew. They were the best team during the regular season and they just beat the Chicago Fire who I thought was the only team that had a shot to beat them. I just don't see New York having the same fire power that the Crew do.