With the MLS having thrilling knockout rounds to shape up the playoff picture, the first leg of the Conference Semifinals is finished after all four matchups played on Sunday, November 1st.
In the Eastern Conference, the No. 1 seeded New York Red Bulls defeated D.C. United 1-0 on the road with a Dax McCarty goal in the 72nd minute. In the two-game playoff with away goals meaning more than home goals, New York has control of their semifinal set with United as they just need to tie at home during the second leg to advance.
The Montreal Impact defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 for the second matchup in the Eastern Conference, giving the lower seed the advantage heading into the second leg.
The Western Conference also had a lower seed win the first leg as the No. 4 seeded Seattle Sounders defeated FC Dallas with a 2-1 final. FC Dallas struck first in the first half, but Seattle rallied at home with two goals in the second half, topped off by Clint Dempsey’s goal off a set piece in the 86th minute. In the second Western Conference series, Vancouver and Portland had a 0-0 draw.
The second set of four games will be played on Sunday, November 8th to find out who reaches this year’s conference finals. According to secondary market ticket aggregator TiqIQ.com, FC Dallas tickets are the most expensive with an average ticket price of $80.49 and a get-in price of $36. Toyota Stadium will be filled to the brim with fans trying to help the No. 1 seed advance to the next round. Out of town fans can use Hipmunk.com for a flight to Dallas to see the elimination game, in addition to booking Dallas hotels on Hipmunk to continue the possible celebration.
The second most expensive matchup will be held at Red Bull Arena between the Red Bulls and United with an average ticket price of $74.94 with a get-in price of $22. BC Place Stadium ranks third with an average ticket price of $67.08 and a get-in price of $36 for Vancouver hosting Portland and finally, Columbus against Montreal is the least expensive of the matchups with an average ticket price of $53.27 and a get-in price of $26.
