MLS Play-Offs: Wildcard Round Review

FC Dallas [0-2] New York Red Bulls

New York scored two first half goals to dispatch FC Dallas and gain passage into the Western Conference semi-finals and a marquee match against the LA Galaxy. The first half was scoreless, but the home side was largely the aggressor, creating opportunity after opportunity but unfortunately lacking the ability to convert any of them. The Red Bulls made them pay for their lack of finishing in the sixty first minute, Medhi Ballouchy sliding a pass to Joel Lindpere in the box and Lindpere knocking the ball home past Hartman. FC Dallas desperately tried to fight back, but again their lack of a finishing touch haunted them and New York put the game to bed deep into stoppage time at the end of the game. Thierry Henry collected a long pass, had his initial shot save, and finished off the rebound.

Colorado Rapids [1-0] Columbus Crew

For the second year in a row row, Colorado has been the one to eliminate the Crew from play-off contention. While the scoreline may give the impression of a close match, it was from it. Columbus had some purchase early one, managing to hold the ball and create opportunities, but after about fifteen minutes or so it became all Colorado. Following the swing of momentum, Colorado struck the night's only goal in the final minute of the first half. Kosuke Kimura received the ball from Brian Mullen, took it to the touch-line and pass it back to Omar Cummings in the box, who fire it past Will Hesmer. Throughout the remainder of the match Colorado continued to dominate, but just couldn't kill the nerve and put away any of their other opportunities. They move on to face Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.