Columbus Crew 2-3 Real Salt Lake: Salt Lake Advances on Aggregate 4-2
In the first 35 minutes it looked like Columbus' impressive home record would pull them through, and overcome the deficit they faced coming into the game. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who was absent in the first game, made his mark in the return leg. Schelotto scored in the 19th and 35th minutes to give the Crew a 2-0, and command of the series. Then Salt Lake answered quickly with a goal from Javier Morales in the 37th minute. It looked like the series would be even at 2-2 heading into overtime until Crew Captain Frankie Hejduk pulled down RSL striker Fabian Espindola in the box for a PK, and Robbie Findley buried the PK to make it a 2-2 tie heading into the locker rooms. In the second half the Crew came out roaring, but the Lakers would have the last say as Andrew Williams scored in the 74th minute to put the series out of reach. Columbus controlled possession but could not put the ball in the back of the net as the Real Salt Lake advances. The Crew will not defend their MLS Cup, while for the second year in the row Salt Lake are in the Conference Finals.
Chicago Fire 2-0 New England Revolution: Chicago Advances on Aggregate 3-2
The Fire were in control on both sides of the field in this one, as they looked to comeback in the series after losing 2-1 last week in Foxburo. John Thorrington scored in the 35th minute to give the Fire a 1-0 lead, and even the series at 2-2. The Fire kept pounding the Revolution goal, forcing New England Goalkeeper Matt Reis to make 12 saves. Still, Cuauhtemoc Blanco found the back of the net in the 83rd minute to send the Fire to the Conference Finals for the second straight year. Jon Busch made two saves for the shutout for the Fire, who for the second straight year end the Revolution's season. Steve Nicol did a spectacular job guiding the Revolution this far with the injury laden roster he possessed (Mr. Kraft would you please spend some money on this team so they can get just a little bit more talent, they only need that one 'spark' player, and they are set). As for the Fire, for the third season in the row they are in the Eastern Conference Finals, difference this year, the game will be played at Bridgeview.
Houston Dynamo 1-0 Seattle Sounders: Houston Advances on Aggregate 1-0
Not surprisingly, two games were not enough to separate the league's two best defensive teams. Instead it took overtime in order for one team's defense to crack, and for the other team's offence to produce a goal. Yet, one goal was all that was necessary between Houston and Seattle after 210 minutes of play. Then Houston's Brian Ching offered the decider in the 95th minute as his volley found the upper 90, and the Dynamo are back in the Conference Finals for the third time in four years.The Dynamo out shot the Sounders 17-9, as Houston's Pat Onstad made three saves to give Houston the shutout. While this is the end of the Sounder's season, by all regards is was a successful campaign, as the club set the standard for all expansion franchise and what they can do in their first year in MLS. With the win Houston has torn away the pain of the 3-0 embarrassment they suffered to New York, as they are back in the conference finals.
Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 Chivas USA: Los Angeles Advances on Aggregate 3-2
Round 2 of the Supper Classico rivalry proved to be more defensive, and free of comedic errors. After the 2-2 draw in the first leg the two teams sharped up defensively, as the two clubs were separated by a PK. Mike Magee was taken down for the Galaxy penalty in the 73rd minute, and Landon Donovan stepped up and hit one to the left of Chivas' Zach Thorrington to give the Galaxy the 1-0, and the 3-2 win a aggregate. The Galaxy looked to be in control for the entire game, as Chivas never posed a threat against Donovan Ricketts who posted the shutout for the Galaxy. With the win the Galaxy prove their supremacy in the city of Los Angeles, and are in the conference finals for the first time since 2005, when they one the MLS Cup. Once again Preki guides Chivas to the MLS Playoffs, but can not go any further, now the question for the Goats is whether or not Preki's job is in trouble. For the Galaxy this is what they have been waiting for. Bruce Arena has David Beckham and Landon Donovan playing in top-form connecting passes, and making the Galaxy offence a lethal weapon, Friday's match against the Dynamo at the Home Depot Center will prove to be an epic clash between the Western Conferences historically two best clubs.
The dust from the conference semi-final round as settled, and we are down to our final four. (Wow, two sports clinches in a row..not good). The two conference finals will prove to be electric atmospheres. In the East the Chicago Fire will host Real Salt Lake in the Eastern Conference Final (a Western Conference team is in the Eastern Final, pay back for a New York winning the Western Conference). An intriguing match-up as it pits, a team that disappoints at home vs. a team that is just awful on the road. But they did de-buck those records last round...so much for stats. The Western Conference will feature a true classic as the 2005 MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy will face the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cup Champions the Houston Dynamo in the battle of Western dynasties. The two conference finals will offers some intriguing match-ups and story lines, and no matter what the results are the Final in Seattle will be nothing but top-notch. The intensity is increasing both on and off the fields as the playoffs resume in the MLS.
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