MLS Playoffs - Matchday One

It was tight games all around, with the lone winner coming in the last minute at Rio Tinto. Enjoy the action.

New England 0 - Chicago 0

I'm not sure if that was the idea, but Chicago seemed a bit reluctant to open up and go lethal on the Revs in Game One. Perhaps Denis Hamlett is wisely content with the scoreless draw and the Fire can light the lamp at home... then again, Chicago have dropped five games at Toyota Park this season and there is now a solid possibility of their recent New England woes repeating. The pressure on the second leg hosts will be huge if they fall behind with playoff-tested Matt Reis in the other cage.



New York 1 - Houston 1

The Energy Drinks can't be overly dissatisfied with the opener, despite Kei Kamara's awkward-body position equalizer with five to play. I think the champs will need to score more than one next time out. Yes, they're nearly unbeatable at home, but consider this: New York has just enough star quality counterattackers (Angel, Richards, Van den Bergh) to make this Robertson return hairy. Games aren't played on paper, so the Dynamo best raise theirs from the whistle.



Real Salt Lake 1 - Chivas USA 0

I believe Yura Movsisyan is what Dan Patrick would call 'en fuego'. A week after putting RSL in the dance with a 90th minute equalizer, he repeats the timely feat for a winner against listless Chivas USA. The goal always seemed to be coming, and now the Royal are the only club going to Matchday Two with a lead. Chivas are hobbling and winners of less than half of their home games this season (7W, 4D, 4L). I smell an upset if RSL can score.



Kansas City 1 - Columbus 1

I'm still waiting on this video, but Kansas City did what I expected in keeping their upset special bid alive to take to Columbus. Davy Arnaud is feelin' it right now, so the Crew best not walk onto the field next weekend assuming they'll own the home game. That being said, the Wizards need to figure out how to clear the area in the waning moments. Fast.

- Greg Seltzer