Revolution knock off Fire, Chivas manages tie in MLS playoff openers

Shalrie Joseph (left) and the Revs will try to close out the Fire Saturday in Chicago. Keith Nordstrom/MLS via Getty Images

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Shalrie Joseph scored in the 75th minute to lift the New England Revolution to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Sunday in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Chris Rolfe opened the scoring for Chicago in 17th minute, and Emmanuel Osei tied it for New England seconds before halftime.

The teams conclude the two-legged series at Toyota Park on Saturday.

The Fire tested the Revolution defense early, as Brian McBride headed a pair of passes that went wide of net just before the 10th minute.

The Fire finally capitalized when Marco Pappa went down the right side and sent a wide-angled shot that Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis failed to smother. Rolfe captured it and scored to put Chicago ahead.

New England started to carry the play offensively after the 20th minute, with Jeff Larentowicz sending a pair of close shots as the Revolution kept the pressure on the Fire through 30 minutes.

The Revs continued to attack and Osei nearly recorded his first MLS goal in the 40th minute when his 25-yard shot skimmed off the near corner of the net.

Osei didn't have to wait long for another chance. Two minutes into extra time, Kenny Mansally delivered a free kick that Osei deflected past Jon Busch for the tying goal.

The Fire battled back early in the second half and nearly went ahead when Pappa's long-distance shot hit the bar and bounced off the goal line in the 71st minute.

The Revolution quickly took advantage of their good fortune. Four minutes later, Larentowicz directed the ball toward Joseph, who fired it through to give his club the lead.

New England withstood Chicago's push for the tie in the final 15 minutes.

Chicago ..............1 0--1
New England ...........1 1--2

• First half: 1, Chicago, Rolfe 7, 17th minute. 2, New England, Osei 1 (Mansally), 46th+.

• Second half: 3, New England, Joseph 9 (Phelan, Larentowicz), 75th.

• Goalies: Chicago, Jon Busch; New England, Matt Reis.

• Yellow Cards: Alston, New England, 41st; Husidic, Chicago, 96th+.

• Referee: Baldomero Toledo. Assistant Referees--Robert Fereday. Greg Barkey. 4th Official--HIlario Grajeda.

• A: 7,416 (68,756)

Galaxy 2, Chivas USA 2

CARSON, Calif. (AP) -- Maykel Galindo scored in the 50th minute and Chivas USA rallied to tie the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 on Sunday in the first game of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Maicon Santos scored early for Chivas, and Mike Magee and Landon Donovan tallied to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead at halftime.

The winner of the second game between the clubs next Sunday will advance to the conference final. If the teams tie again, they will play a 30-minute overtime -- to be followed by penalty kicks, if necessary.

Galindo, who entered the game in the 46th minute, pounced on a pass from Galaxy rookie Omar Gonzalez intended for goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, and scored from 15 yards into an open net.

Santos put Chivas USA ahead 1-0 in the fourth minute with a diagonal 19-yard shot inside the right post. But Magee and Donovan responded with goals that gave the Galaxy a 2-1 halftime lead.

Magee exploited a defensive mistake to score in the 14th minute. Donovan's header fell to Chivas USA's Yamith Cuesta, who misplayed the ball off his right foot. Magee secured the ball and converted from nine yards.

Another miscue helped Donovan put the Galaxy ahead in the 41st minute. Santos sent Paulo Nagamura's clearance back to Chivas USA's penalty area. The ball fell between defender Carey Talley and Donovan, who scored on a soft 5-yard shot inside the right post.

Ricketts made two big saves in a 3-minute span of the second half. He leapt to his left to deflect Nagamura's 23-yard line drive in the 57th minute, then blocked Santos' 3-yard shot at the left post with his feet in the 60th minute.

The Galaxy extended its unbeaten streak against Chivas USA to seven games.

Los Angeles .........2 0--2
Chivas USA .........1 1--2

• First half: 1, Chivas USA, Santos 2 (Kljestan), 4th minute. 2, Los Angeles, Magee 3, 14th. 3, Los Angeles, Donovan 13, 42nd.

• Second half: 4, Chivas USA, Galindo 5, 51st.

• Goalies: Los Angeles, Donovan Ricketts; Chivas USA, Zach Thornton.

• Yellow Cards: Birchall, Los Angeles, 28th; Saragosa, Chivas USA, 82nd.

• Referee: Kevin Stott. Assistant Referees--Kermit Quisenberry. Corey Rockwell. 4th Official--Paul Ward.

• A: 25,218 (27,000)

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