MLS: Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers on top in Conference semis

Image: Kei Kamara celebrates scoring for Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers both hold two-goal leads after the first legs of their MLS Conference finals.

Justin Meram scored after just nine seconds as the Crew beat New York Red Bulls 2-0 in the Eastern Conference, while Timbers beat FC Dallas 3-1 in the West.

Meram's goal was the fastest scored in MLS play-off history and put the Crew in a strong position to advance to the league decider.

Justin Meram scores after nine seconds for Columbus Crew

Kei Kamara scored the second after 85 minutes as Red Bulls were held scoreless for the first time since May 24.

In the Western Conference, Liam Ridgewell, Dairon Asprilla and Nat Borchers all found the net as the Timbers beat FC Dallas.

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Image: Liam Ridgewell put Portland ahead against FC Dallas

Former Aston Villa, Birmingham and West Brom defender Ridgewell put the Timbers ahead in the 23rd minute with his first goal of the season.

Asprilla doubled the advantage before David Texeira scored in the 61st minute to narrow it for Dallas, the West's top seed in the play-offs.

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Dairon Asprilla, son of Faustino, scored a wonder goal to help Portland Timbers to a 3-1 win over FC Dallas

However, Borchers added a stoppage-time third for Timbers to give them a two-goal lead.

Both second legs take place next Sunday before the final on December 6.

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