Published 11/4/2011 11:11:59 AM by Roberto Garcia from soccermogul

New York traveled to LA down a goal after the opening leg of their MLS playoff matchup.  An early goal from Luke Rogers stunned the home crowd and quickly got the Red Bulls back on level terms.  From there it was a battle of the two marquee names in MLS.

A well played game with no drama.  Just a good showcase for MLS soccer as both sides moved the ball and flowed.  The bottom line was that Los Angeles was unbeaten this year at the Home Depot Center and they were confident of turning the match around.

After Robbie Keane was denied twice by NY keeper Frank Rost they took back the aggregate lead late in the first half as David Beckham whipped in one of his trademark set piece balls.  Mike Magee beat his mark and headed home to the delight of the west coast crowd.

The match went to halftime with New York once again trailing by a goal and all to play for.  The second half was more of the same good soccer.  Both sides got plenty of the ball and it looked like NYRB were going to get the goal they needed on the hour mark as Luke Rogers raced inside of Omar Gonzalez and in on net.  His shot wasn't true though and found only side netting on the wrong side of the post.

In the 73rd a massive bout of undiscipline from New York defender Roy Miller allowed the Galaxy to put the match on ice.  Beckham was bringing down a high ball at the edge of the 18 with his back to goal when Miller shoved him in the back and kicked him in the ribs trying to reach around for the ball.  An easy penalty call which Landon Donovan buried.

The Galaxy now face another difficult test as rivals Real Salt Lake await in the Western Conference Finals.

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