4 Games, 3 Draws: How Things Stand in the MLS Playoffs

By: Laurie | November 3rd, 2008

Good news for everybody but Chivas, (USA version.)

After the first leg of the MLS playoffs, we have at least one point for everybody! Well, everybody except for those hapless Chivas, who lost 1-0 to a 90th minute goal by Real Salt Lake’s Yura Movsisyan.

And good news, of course, for the lovers of parity. Of the eight teams, we have one winner, one loser, and six, count ‘em six teams with one point apiece.

Weekend results:

NE 0-0 Chicago
A scintillating nil-nil draw. Or…well…not so much, except for that nil-nil part. New England has knocked Chicago out of the playoffs for the past three seasons. I was hoping this year would be different. NE has been plagued by poor form and injuries recently, and they had a couple of players suspended for this game. Chicago, in theory, had a chance to put this away, but instead both teams played a very physical but untimately unproductive game. And now everything rides on Thursday’s rematch.
2nd leg @ Chicago: Thurs, Nov. 6, 8:30

Kansas City 1-1 Columbus Crew

Oh so close for Kansas City! Davy Arnaud put KC ahead in the 53rd, and they held the lead until the second minute of injury time. Alas for KC (but luckily for the Supporters Shield winners the Crew), sub Steven Lenhart scored the equalizer.

2nd leg @ Columbus: Sat, Nov. 8, 7:30 ET

(No video available that I could find. Sorry. I’ll keep watching and post it if MLS does.)

New York Red Bulls 1-1 Houston Dynamo

This was one of those games which, in theory, should have been a blowout for Houston. They’re the in-form team with history on their side. But it was the Red Bulls who opened the scoring with a sweet diving, glancing header by captain Juan Pablo Angel in the 48th. Alas, it would not be enough for the three points. Despite some nice work in goal by new keeper (and former goalscorer) Danny Cepero, Kei Kamara salvaged the point for Houston in the 85th. And now they head to Houston, where smart money will be on the home team. (But I’m still hoping for a Red Bull win.)

2nd leg @ Houston, Sun. Nov. 9, 3:00 ET

Real Salt Lake 1-0 Chivas

The only non-draw of the playoff quartet, and RSL had to wait till the 90th minute for it to happen, on a cheeky little backheel kind of thing by Yura Movsisyan. But I don’t think many people will be arguing that RSL didn’t deserve the win. They looked more threatening throughout, and the 0-0 scoreline up to the 90th flattered Chivas quite a bit. Only Chivas’ luck, RSL’s inability to finish, and some nice saves by Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton kept it level as long as it was. Now the teams head to LA, where Chivas will attempt to put together a little more attack.

2nd leg @ Chivas, Sat. Nov. 8, 10:30 ET