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In the Western Conference, the Portland Timbers and Vancouver
Whitecaps played a drab scoreless draw in a game of few chances.
The Red Bulls defeated D.C. United in last year’s conference
semi-final and went on the attack early in the rematch. United
goalkeeper Bill Hamid made eight saves to keep the visitors at
bay as New York dominated possession. United struggled to create
chances and did not record a shot on goal.
"It wasn’t always a pretty game," Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch
said in a pitch-side interview.
"We’ve got an important lead but we’ve got to go home and be
ready for another battle."
The match featured some physical moments, including an
agricultural tackle by New York defender Ronald Zubar that
upended United midfielder Markus Halsti in the 68th minute.
Zubar received a yellow card, but United players thought he
should have seen red.
In Portland, the home fans had little to cheer about but coach
Caleb Porter was not too despondent at the result.
"We had a couple of chances in the end to win the game. They
didn’t have very many," he said.
The second legs of the Conference semi-finals will be played
next Sunday.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Andrew
Both)
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