MLS playoffs: No insurmountable leads after first legs

The Red Bulls, who won the first leg of the two-game series 1-0 last week in Washington, advanced on aggregate goals 2-0, marking the second straight year they have beaten their I-95 rivals in the semifinals.

The NY Red Bulls are moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals after they beat DC United 1-0 on Sunday afternoon, and 2-0 on aggregate of the two-game semifinal series. The Whitecaps became the only team to lose against a lower-seeded opponent in the 2015 postseason.

22 in the Eastern Conference finals.

All that remained were crumbs and a memories. “[It] was rewarded by a big play at the end of the game”.

He said:’I haven’t made a decision about Jamaica yet, I will need a few more weeks.

This team can’t scout multiple players and go on multiple trips to sign someone. The team set a record by starting five homegrown players a 3-0 win over Columbus in September. “That’ll be [Monday] and I’m looking to make a statement and give my best and show the coach what I can do”.

A year ago, manager Ben Olsen had sounded defiant when being grilled by reporters about his team’s exit to the same opponents, holding court in the bowels of RFK Stadium and telling reporters that he didn’t accept the characterization of his team as an aging one.

FC Dallas will meet the victor of the Vancouver Whitecaps/Portland Timbers matchup. His influence was also great throughout the match, drifting predominantly towards the left-side of the pitch to make his presence felt on fullback Je-Vaughn Watson who normally operates as a winger, while also recording 10 shots.

Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles secured his second shutout in the two-leg playoff, after recording nine shutouts in the regular season. “It might not be as physical because D.C. plays a very physical style, but there will probably be more football in the two teams, specifically Columbus”.

Pareja and Porter are also a couple of the more entertaining sideline attractions. NY had chances, but often wasn’t sharp enough. NY will return to Red Bull Arena with a 1-0 lead on D.C. United while Vancouver and Portland head north to settle their series after a scoreless draw in Oregon.

All season long, the NY Red Bulls have talked about building as a unit in every game.

With the exception of its knockout round win over New England, D.C. United lacked any kind of bite in the second half of the season.

Failing to create much through midfield buildup, United had perhaps their best chance of the match thanks to a brilliant ball from an unlikely source. After a handful of years on the peripheral of the first team, the Polish-American starlet is now a central figure for the Red Bulls and his form has garnered interest from overseas. “My main focus this week was to prepare physically and mentally for the D.C. game, get the job done and now I look forward to camp”.

The Supporters’ Shield winners did their part by coming out of the first leg with a victory and a road goal.