MLS Cup: Dynamo, Revs -- and Wiz?

New England's Taylor Twellman managed the only goal his side would need in their Conference series with the NY Red Bulls, as the Revs advanced 1-0 on aggregate following their 1-0 home win in Game 2. New York was unable to over come injuries to Claudio Reyna, who left the match with yet another injury (looks like Captain America's super-soldier serum wore off a few years ago) and perhaps more importantly, to Juan Pablo Angel who left in the 64th minute due to injury. Before NY was able to get Angel's substitute into the game, New England raced down the field and Steve Ralston found Twellman who beat Jon Conway for the match's (and series') only goal.

A Dynamo deluge drowned FC Dallas in Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-finals, as Houston won the battle of Texas 4-2 on aggregate with a brace by Brian Ching. Dallas took a 1-0 lead into Game 2 in Houston and scored another 14 minutes in off the boot of Carlos Ruiz. As was expected following the incident in the clubs' last meeting between Ricardo Clark and Ruiz, the tempers flared several times, resulting in 40 fouls, 11 yellow cards and two ejections (both on Dallas); the match was extended due to stoppages into the 120th minute. Following the straight red to Arturo Alvarez, the Dynamo opened an orange can of whoop ass and scored four unanswered in front of the home crowd. Along with Chings' 72nd and 97th minute goals were sandwiched by Stuart Holden's 67th minute strike and Brad Davis' extra time goal.

But the most stunning victory of the night fell to Kansas City who having limped into the playoffs, nearly being bounced on the last weekend of the regular season, will advance to play Houston following their scoreless draw in Game 2, which allowed their 1-0 home win on Game 1 to hold up. Man-of-the-match honors should clearly fall to Kevin Hartman who managed to turn away six shots on goal and to keep his defense organized under extreme pressure.

The Cup semi-finals will feature Chicago versus New England on November 8 and Houston versus Kansas City on November 10.

SCORES
New York 0-1 New England
NE -- Taylor Twellman 1 (Steve Ralston 1, Shalrie Joseph 1) 64

FC Dallas 1-4 Houston
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz 1 (Kenny Cooper 1, Bobby Rhine 1) 14
HOU -- Stuart Holden 1 (Brian Ching 1, Ryan Cochrane 1) 67
HOU -- Brian Ching 1 (Joseph Ngwenya 1, Dwayne De Rosario 1) 72
HOU -- Brian Ching 2 (Joseph Ngwenya 2) 97
HOU -- Brad Davis 1 (unassisted) 100

Kansas City 0-0 Chivas USA