By Ridge Mahoney
In both stadiums hosting MLS conference finals Sunday, the play was intense, the crowds raucous, and the results justified.
D.C. United outshot New England, 18-6, at a rowdy RFK lit up by flares and shrouded by smoke but were undone, 1-0, by an early Taylor Twellman goal, a few sharp saves by Matt Reis, and its own lack of belief.
A breakthrough goal for struggling Alecko Eskandarian never came, and the Revs’ resilience jarred Christian Gomez and Jaime Moreno just enough to limit their influence at critical moments.
Waves of boisterous, orange-clad fans were stunned by an early Colorado goal at Robertson Stadium, yet the Dynamo replied seven minutes later, then relentlessly overpowered the Rapids, 3-1. Livewire striker Paul Dalglish scored twice within 10 minutes and after a nervous stretch during which Houston squandered numerous opportunities to clinch victory, Brian Mullan rammed home a volley from point-blank range.
New England thus qualified for its second consecutive MLS Cup and third in its history. Houston, which won the 2001 and 2003 league titles as San Jose, will also make its third appearance. They meet Sunday at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Click here for Ridge Mahoney’s reports on the MLS semifinals.
Click here for semifinal game summaries.