I realize how late this is… but there’s SO much soccer going on! Between the EPL, USL Playoffs, Champions League and the six games I officiated over the weekend (not to mention a presidential election) I’m just getting back to the madness of the MLS.
Gentle reminder: The first round of MLS is a Best-of-Three series.
Inter Miami CF (1) vs. Atlanta United (9)
Game 1, October 25: Inter Miami 2 – 1 Atlanta United RECAP
Game 2, November 2: Atlanta United 2 – 1 Inter Miami
Result: Game 3, November 9 in Miami
Inter’s only goal was served with a heaping portion of controversy, as it appeared Brad Guzan was interfered with when drop kicking. It stood, and that only seemed to fire up the hosts who earned their equalizer from Ireland’s Derrick Williams. Both teams traded shots and chances, but in the 95th minute some poetic justice was served by Xande Silva’s blistering strike into the top left corner. Cue mayhem; tee up a Game 3!
Columbus Crew (2) vs. New York Red Bulls (7)
Game 1, October 29: Crew 0 – 1 Red Bulls RECAP
Game 2, November 3: Red Bulls 2 (5) – 2 (4) Crew
Result: Columbus Crew eliminated
After the shock loss in Game 1, could the Crew recover? Turns out, sort of. Then not. It was all Crew in the 1st, and their only reward were two struck posts. It was no surprise when Crew finally hit net in the 55th, but the equalizer from Dante Vanzier nine minutes later was equally deserved. NYRB took the lead after Emil Forsburg drew and converted a penalty, but a last-minute header off a corner by Christian Ramirez in the 95th guaranteed a trip to the spot. After local lad John Tolkin missed the opener, it looked dire for the Red Bulls until keeper Carlos Coronel made THREE back-to-back stops in the 5th, 6th & 7th rounds. Daniel Edelman drained his kick to knock out the defending champs.
FC Cincinnati (3) vs. New York City FC (6)
Game 1, October 28: Cincinnati 1 – 0 NYCFC RECAP
Game 2, November 2: NYCFC 3 – 1 Cincinnati
Result: Game 3, November 9 in Cincinnati
NYCFC wasted no time in this elimination battle, with Alonso Martínez finding the net in the 22nd minute. At 40 minutes, a poor clearance off the free kick allowed Thiago Martins to head it in unmarked from the back post. In the second half, Luca Orellano’s golazo at ‘68 gave hope to the visitors but multiple equalizer chances were denied by fine saves from GK Matt Freese. The 95th minute penalty Cincinnati conceded simply sealed their fate.
Orlando City SC (4) vs. Charlotte FC (5)
Game 1, October 27: Orlando 2 – 0 Charlotte RECAP
Game 2, November 1: Charlotte 0 (3) – 0 (1) Orlando
Result: Game 3, November 9 in Orlando
With their backs up against the wall, Charlotte FC had to go balls out from the whistle. And what an effort! Multiple times they forced Pedro Gallese, Orlando’s keeper, into heroic saves. A stoppage time goal from Orlando was called back for the thinnest of offsides, and off to the mark we go!
Now it became the Kristijan Kahlina show, as he blocked two of Orlando’s PKs and ushered in a Game 3.
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