Video: 2008 MLS Playoff Highlights – The Conference Finals
Posted by Footballer on November 17, 2008
…and then there were two.
New York Red Bulls 1 – Real Salt Lake 0
One-time Dutch international, Dave van den Bergh scored midway through the first half as the fourth-seeded New York Red Bulls got a few fortunate bounces as they clinched their first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup with a 1-0 victory over third-seeded Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference final on Saturday. Real Salt Lake were often the better team of the night but were unfortunate to have three sure goals bouce off the goalposts.
New York will play the Columbus Crew for the championship on November 23 in Carson, California. The Crew claimed the Supporters’ Shield for most points after the regular season.
Scoring Summary:
NY — Dave van den Bergh 1 (unassisted) 28
New York Red Bulls — Danny Cepero, Chris Leitch, Diego Jimenez, Carlos Mendes, Kevin Goldthwaite, Dane Richards, Luke Sassano (Juan Pietravallo 83), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Jorge Rojas 23), Dave van den Bergh, Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec.
Substitutes Not Used: Andrew Boyens, Gabriel Cichero, Macoumba Kandji, Mike Magee, Caleb Patterson-Sewell
Real Salt Lake — Nick Rimando, Robbie Russell, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave (Andy Williams 72), Chris Wingert, Kyle Beckerman, Dema Kovalenko (Robbie Findley 59), Javier Morales, Will Johnson, Clint Mathis (Kenny Deuchar 91+), Yura Movsisyan.
Substitutes Not Used: Tony Beltran, Fabian Espindola, Ian Joy, Chris Seitz
Columbus Crew 2 – Chicago Fire 1
In one of the best MLS games of the season, Eddie Gaven scored in the 55th minute to send the top-seeded Crew to the 2008 MLS Cup. Columbus had gone behind earlier in the game courtesy of a classic Brian McBride header.
Scoring Summary:
CHI — Brian McBride 1 (Justin Mapp 2) 29
CLB — Chad Marshall 1 (Guillermo Barros Schelotto 2) 49
CLB — Eddie Gaven 1 (Alejandro Moreno 3, Guillermo Barros Schelotto 3) 55
Chicago Fire — Jon Busch, Brandon Prideaux (Patrick Nyarko 70), Wilman Conde, Bakary Soumare, Gonzalo Segares (Mike Banner 79), Chris Rolfe (Marco Pappa 90), Logan Pause, John Thorrington, Justin Mapp, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Brian McBride.
Substitutes Not Used: Diego Gutierrez, Andy Herron, Nick Noble, Dasan Robinson
Columbus Crew — William Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Gino Padula, Chad Marshall, Danny O’Rourke, Eddie Gaven (Andy Iro 88), Brian Carroll, Brad Evans, Robbie Rogers, Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Emmanuel Ekpo 81), Alejandro Moreno.
Substitutes Not Used: Andy Gruenebaum, Ezra Hendrickson, Steven Lenhart, Stefani Miglioranzi, Pat Noonan
