There have been 13 first legs to end in one-goal gaps since MLS adopted the two-legged aggregate format for the 2003 season. Just six of the teams that were leading have actually advanced.
Major League Soccer Playoffs, Leg 2, Preview, Picks: No One Should Be Feeling Safe
That certainly doesn’t mean it’s better for a team to be trailing after the first leg, but it does illustrate just how tenuous a one-goal lead can be, especially when you’re taking that lead on the road.
Eleven of those teams that took one-goal leads hosted the first game. Just five of them held on for the victory.
All four of this year’s first leg games ended in one-goal margins. History tells us that none of those leads are safe.
Even for New York and Los Angeles, who take those leads home, simply sitting on those leads would be ill-advised. Road teams have only taken one-goal leads twice, and only one of those teams escaped the round.
This all adds up to what should be a great four more days of soccer.
We’ll be taking closer looks at all four matches in the coming days.
Playoff Schedule
Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew
Leg 1: Rapids 1, Crew 0
Leg 2: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, Telefutura
Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas
Leg 1: FC Dallas 2, RSL 1
Leg 2: Saturday, 10 p.m. ET, FSC
New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Leg 1: Red Bulls 1, Earthquakes 0
Leg 2: Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Leg 1: Galaxy 1, Sounders 0
Leg 2: Sunday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Conference Finals
Nov. 11-14
MLS Cup
Nov. 21
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