Major League Soccer (MLS) has officially started to wrap up as the remaining MLS teams seek the MLS Audi Cup. Still in playoffs after conference semifinals are the Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, Columbus Crew, and Toronto FC.
The Western-Conference kicked things off on Oct. 29 as the Seattle Sounders faced against the Vancouver Whitecaps. In the first of two legs for the series, the Sounders traveled to Vancouver where both teams came out scoreless.
In the last game, the Whitecaps came to Seattle. Clint Dempsey caused some excitement in the 56th minute as he found the back of the net from the top of the 18 yard box. That wasn’t all that we’d seen form Dempsey that night, as he snuck his way to the back post and capitalized on a cross in from Victor Rodriguez, securing the Sounders another Western-Conference Championship game.
The action continued in the Western-Conference as the Portland Timbers hosted Houston Dynamo. After 90 minutes this game would result in a tie. In game two, the Timbers traveled to Houston to finish out the series. Dairon Asprilla (POR) scored in the 39th minute. Defender Dylan Remick (HOU) tied the game moments later in the 43rd minute.
In the second half, Mauro Manotas secured the Dynamos fate after he made a shot from outside the box. Houston keeps their playoff run going as they will face the Seattle Sounders in a two-game series on Nov. 21 and Nov. 30 for the Western-Conference Championship. The winner of the two-game series will advance to the MLS Championships.
Shifting over to the Eastern- Conference, Toronto FC faced the New York Red Bulls in New York. In game one, Victor Vazquez (TOR) scored in the 8th minute. Right before the half, Daniel Royer (NY) scored a penalty kick in extra time. In the second half, Sebastian Giovinco (TOR) secured a win for Toronto as he scored off a free kick from 20 yards out, in the 71st minute.
In the final game, the Red Bulls traveled to Toronto. Red Bulls secured a 1-0 victory with a goal from Bradley Wright-Phillips. However, Toronto FC advanced to the Eastern-Conference finals on an away goal tiebreaker.
Columbus Crew traveled to New York in the first leg of the Eastern- Conference semifinals, taking on New York City FC. In game one, Ola Kamara (COL) scored in the 6th minute. After the half, Artur de Lima JR (COL) scored, putting the Crew up. That didn’t stop there, as Justin Meram (COL) scored in the 69th minute.
NYCFC came back as David Villa (NY) scored on a defensive error in the back in the 78th minute. Harrison Afful (COL) scored and locked in a 4-1 upset win over NYFC.
During game two of the series, Villa (NY) scored in the 16th minute from a penalty kick, giving NYCFC the lead going into the half. NYCFC’s Andraz Struna scored from distance in the 53rd minute, securing a victory for NYCFC. However, Columbus Crew advanced to the Eastern-Conference final and will face Toronto FC Nov. 21 and Nov. 29.
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