The Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto F.C both won their single elimination games of the Knockout Round by an identical score of 3-1 to advance to the Conference Semifinals in the opening day of the Major League Soccer playoffs.
Now the Galaxy (#3 seed in the Western Conference) will play the Colorado Rapids (#2 seed in the Western Conference) and Toronto F.C (#3 seed in the Western Conference) will face New York City F.C (#2 seed in the Eastern Conference) for the right to advance to the Conference Championships.
Today in the Eastern Conference, the D.C United will face the Montreal Impact to decide who will face the New York Red Bulls (top seed), and in the Western Conference the Seattle Sounders will play Sporting Kansas City for the right to face F.C Dallas (#1 seed).
Toronto won a playoff game for the first time in franchise history thanks to the outstanding play of Italian Sebastian Giovinco who contributed with a goal and two assists while Jozy Altidore and Jonathan Osorio scored a goal each in the game at BMO Field. Alejandro Bedoya scored for the Philadelphia Union.
For Los Angeles Alan Gordon scored the opening goal and Emanuel Boateng contributed a pair of goals, while Joao Plata scored from the penalty spot for Real Salt Lake at Stubhub Center.
The Conference Semifinals, a home and away series, start on October 30 with the highest ranked teams hosting the second leg. The return trip takes place on November 6
The Conference Championships, also a two-game series, will take place on November 20 and 27.
The MLS Cup will be on December 1o, with the finalist with the highest seed hosting the game.
