Tension reigns in MLS title race

 

All four of Major League Soccer’s first round of play-off clashes are poised on one-goal margins heading into the second legs this week. Heavy favourites Los Angeles Galaxy, led by superstar duo of David Beckham and Landon Donovan, edged the Sounders 1-0 in Seattle while a Thierry Henry-less New York Red Bulls take the same lead back home from San Jose. Title holders Real Salt Lake lost out 2-1 to FC Dallas in the most exciting game of the lot – and the only one to produce more than two goals – as Colorado Rapids edged out 2008 champions Columbus Crew 1-0 in Denver.
The Galaxy didn’t have things all their own way in their tense clash with the two-time defending US Open Cup winners in front of a vociferous crowd up in Seattle, but their one-goal lead should be enough to get the job done. The goal came courtesy of USA international Edson Buddle and was a thing of beauty. Turning on an awkwardly bouncing ball some 35 yards from goal, he hoisted a shot high into the Seattle sky and right over Kasey Keller to seal the affair. Whether or not it will be enough to hold up will only be known on Sunday, when the glamour boys take their field in Carson, California and look to end Seattle’s spirited charge with a more convincing display. “It was just one of those things,” said Keller about the goal. “This is one of those times you just have to applaud the effort.”