With three unanswered second half goals, the Houston Dynamo took a 3-1 lead against D.C. United at home Sunday, in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship.
Rookie midfielder Nick DeLeon opened the scoring for United in the 27th minute of play. The lead was short-lived however, as defender Andre Hainault, striker Will Bruin and defender Kofi Sarkodie countered for the Dynamo in front of more than 22,000 supporters at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Both teams could be missing important players for the second leg, as D.C. United star forward Chris Pontius and Houston midfielder Adam Moffat left the game due to injuries.
Western Conference: Galaxy shuts out Sounders
In the Western Conference Championship, the LA Galaxy used its home-field advantage by shutting out the Seattle Sounders FC 3-0, on a brace from Robbie Keane and a goal from Mike Magee. Despite winning the advantage in ball possession and in one-on-one battles, Seattle couldn’t find its groove and was outshot and out-chanced.
Magee continued his playoff heroics for LA, scoring his third postseason goal of the year and eighth of his career.
Return games will be played next Sunday, November 18, starting at 4pm (ET) with D.C. United hosting the Dynamo at RFK Stadium in Washington (NBCSN, Univision). The Galaxy will then visit the Sounders at CenturyLink Field at 9pm ET (RDS2, TSN2, ESPN, ESPN Deportes).
If the trend continues, the Galaxy could welcome Houston in the MLS Cup Final for the second year in a row. LA won its third MLS Cup last season following a 1-0 win against the Dynamo in front of more than 30,000 supporters at the Home Depot Center.
MLS Cup Viewing Party
The Impact will host a viewing party for the MLS Championship on December 1 at the Irish Embassy Pub (1234 Bishop Street), in Montreal. As part of the MLS Cup festivities, the Montreal Impact staff will draw prizes and there will be many surprises for those who stop by.
