Crew Shakes Up Earthquakes With Late Goal

Freddy Garcia scored on a 12-yard shot in the 81st minute Wednesday night, giving the Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the opener of their quarterfinal series in the MLS playoffs.

The Crew play host to the defending champions for Game 2 on Saturday night. The first team to five points (three points for a win, one for a tie) in the series advances.

Jeff Cunningham, whose speed caused problems for the Earthquakes all night at San Jose, crossed the ball from the right flank past teammate Brian McBride to the onrushing Garcia on the left side. San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon got a hand on Garcia’s shot but could only deflect the ball into the roof of his net.

In the 38th minute, the Crew opened the scoring on a goal by midfielder Edson Buddle.

Dallas 4, Colorado 2--Jason Kreis scored the go-ahead goal as the Burn won at Dallas in the first game of the series.

Kreis slipped a shot into a wide-open net in the 49th minute as the Burn broke a 1-1 tie. Kreis’ goal, scored off a pass from Ronnie O’Brien, was the first of three goals the Burn scored in the second half.