Kei Kamara scored in the 85th minute to secure Columbus Crew SC's 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the teams' MLS Eastern Conference final.
Justin Meram got Columbus on the scoreboard just 10 seconds into the match from a long ball following the kickoff. Kamara flicked the pass on to Ethan Finley who found Meram in the center of the box. The midfielder calmly volleyed home past Red Bulls' goalkeeper Luis Robles.
In the final 20 minutes, the Columbus defenders were the stars of the match as they kept New York's chances to a minimum and played the ball out of the back effectively.
Kamara finally put the game away when the ball fell to his feet in front of the goal after a superb individual effort from substitute Cedric.
Columbus will travel to Harrison, New Jersey, on Nov. 29 for the second leg of the Eastern Conference finals.
Nat Borchers scored a crucial late goal to help the Portland Timbers beat FC Dallas 3-1 in the first leg of the Western Conference finals.
Portland opened the scoring with a 23rd-minute goal from Liam Ridgewell to put the hosts on top in the first half.
Dairon Asprilla doubled the lead after burying a shot from 28 yards out following a giveaway by Dallas in its own end.
However, Dallas wasn't done, as David Texeira scored to cut Portland's lead in half and give the visitors hope.
The late goal from Borchers gives Portland a two-goal cushion for next Sunday's second leg away at Western Conference winners Dallas.