- by Angel Soto, writing from California
Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew
1st Half
Unlike San Jose, the Colorado Rapids actually had a1-0 lead on the higher seeded Columbus Crew, and came into the match very encouraged. But the Crew knew this was going to be a hard fought night to keep their playoff hopes alive. Columbus started with great force sending numbers up front to try to crack Matt Pickens' defense, and it was a success but the Crew could not find the net. As they poured the pressure on, hopes began to fade away, but then off a Brian Carroll cross and a pair of headers, Eddie Gaven draws first blood in the match, giving the Crew a 1-0 lead. From then on the Crew kept creating a whirlwind of chances, but they would still not put the Rapids away.
2nd Half
The second half was a different story as the Rapids took more of an initiative, trying to eliminate the 2008 MLS Cup Champions, but not much was created. As the Rapids committed a turnover and too many numbers up front, Emmanuel Ekpo finds a streaking Robbie Rogers on the right wing. Rogers then beats Pickens to give the Crew a one goal lead in the aggregate, and a 2-0 lead in the match. Then one of the Crew's biggest mistakes came to play, as they took off their foot off the pedal and let the Rapids take more control of possession and the match. As the Crew would escape their own turnovers in their own half, the feeling was that there was going to be another goal. In the 84th minute, as it seemed that Colorado could not crack Columbus' defense, Omar Cummings connects on a marvelous cross from the right wing to Conor Casey, tying the aggregate 2-2!
Extra Time
As Extra Time had begun, both teams made all their available subs, and the Crew came with a fury of chances. Steven Lenhart missed the most dangerous of chances as Guillermo Barros Schelloto sent a perfectly timed through ball. Later on during Extra Time, Schelloto endured a cramp slowing the Columbus attack, and it would give the Rapids an advantage. And in an almost exactly play on the regulation goal by Colorado, the Rapids nearly take the game, but Chad Marshall got to the ball before Conor Casey did. Extra time would end.
Penalty Shootout
Coming into the shootout, it did not look good for the Crew as their best penalty taker had been injured, and their other reliable penalty shooters, Rogers and Ekpo, had been subbed out. Not only that, Andy Gruenebaum was not an experienced keeper as he had been taking over Goalkeeper stalwart, Will Hesmer. The first 9 shooters had made their penalty kicks as the Crew's Brian Carroll was next up to the spot, and he sent it high over the crossbar and the 2nd lower seeded team had gone through to the second round of the playoffs! Colorado will now face the San Jose Earthquakes at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the Eastern Conference Championship.
FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake
1st Half
The defending champions, Real Salt Lake, came into their match down 2-1 to their Texan rivals, FC Dallas, but they also came in with a 32 game unbeaten streak in their home stadium. FC Dallas took an early advantage in the 17th minute as David Ferreira connected a long distance pass to Brek Shea who leads to Dax McCarthy who then slipped the ball into the net passed Nick Rimando. The packed Rio Tinto Stadium was silenced, but the match would not end there. After the early Dallas onslaught, it was all Real Salt Lake, and FC Dallas goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman. RSL would not give into being down 3-1 on the aggregate and would come in with a fury as they knew their Dallas opponents would not get passed Rimando again. Although the Dallas counterattack was very dangerous with speed along the flanks and up top with Jeff Cunningham Brek Shea and Ferreira. The first half ended with FC Dallas having a 1-0 lead over the defending champions, and a 3-1 lead on aggregate.
2nd Half
Second half would continue with the attack of Real Salt Lake as they tried to at least get this match into overtime. It was also not Fabian Espindola's day as he would miss more than a handful of goal opportunities. It seemed that ball was mostly in FC Dallas' side but their counterattack was still dangerous through night. Young rookie Collen Warner missed a chance that would make him a hero very early in his career. Midway through the second half, captain Kyle Beckerman slotted in a perfectly weighted pass to the rookie but then he took an extra touch and Kevin Hartman stopped the shot rather easily, but also got injured on the play. Finally in the 80th minute, USA World Cup participant, Robbie Findley finds the net, and made the aggregate score 3-2. Just a few minutes after that Findley had the opportunity to tie the aggregate score, but sent an Andy Williams cross wide of the Kevin Hartman's goal. FC Dallas almost hammered in the nail on the coffin as Ruben Luna came in all alone against Nick Rimando, but Rimando was up to the task. Four minutes were given of injury time but still Real Salt Lake could not break the heroics of Kevin Hartman. FC Dallas is the third team through to the second round of the playoffs and is now awaiting their opponent for the Western Conference final. Will the trend continue with the lower seeds defeating the higher seeds? We shall see tonight as Seattle faces the Supporters Shield Champion, the LA Galaxy.
