Sunday MLS Playoff Roundup

By: Dave Martinez | November 1st, 2009

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Today was in stark contrast to the mediocre playoff showings of yesterday, as all teams were playing with a little extra something. Maybe they were bored out of their minds while watching Columbus’ performance yesterday too. Regardless, there was a great atmosphere in todays games, especially in anticipation of David Beckham’s first venture into the MLS Playoffs.

Here is your Sunday playoff round up:

New England (Home) 2 – Chicago Fire 1

Though Laurie’s view on the home and home MLS playoff structure does hold water, someone didn’t give the traveling Chicago Fire the memo. Perhaps learning from the ineptitude of Columbus Crew coach Robert Warzycha, who opted to sit out both Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno for the first road leg of the game and lost in the process, Dennis Hamlett’s squad took the opposite role, with Chris Rolfe netting the games first goal in the 18th minute. New England slowly fought back, and in extra time of the first half, it paid off with a Osei header from a Mansally feed.

The second half began much the same for the Fire, as they controlled the pace of the game, but could not find a finish. But leave it up to New England to counter successfully, as the ball gets lost in a frackus in front of Chicago keeper Busch, only to find the foot of Jeff Larentowitcz who threads a fine pass to Shalrie Joseph, who puts it away from mere feet. The Revs pressed till the very end for the victory.

Chivas USA (home) 2 – Los Angeles Galaxy 2

Under the glare of Beckham’s first playoff appearance, it didn’t take long for Chivas to reaffirm their position as the home team – regardless of being in the same stadium. A fourth minute strike from Santos on a Klejstan feed put the early stamp in the Goats favor. But it wouldn’t take long for former Red Bull Mike Magee to tie it up, playing off a beautiful feed from Landon Donovan, victimizing a discombobulated Chivas backline.

Donovan once again made the other team pay in the 41st, winning the ball from the Chivas defenders and blasting one towards the keeper that managed to dribble past him for the Galaxy’s second tally.

But Chivas were not ready to throw in the towel. Galindo found the equalizer early in the second half to breathe life into the goats once more.

With the game tied late, it was time for Beckham and Donovan to own this game and put an end to it, right? Well, that didn’t happen. Instead, a steady back and forth proceeded till the waning minutes, with both sides playing cautious but alert.

The teams will meet next week for the deciding game. The Galaxy will be working off of the distinct advantage that even a tie will help advance their squad in this campaign. And they will need any advantage they can get, especially judging by the shakiness of there defense (particularly, Omar Gonzalez. Ouch.)