MLS

• Findley goal gives RSL 1-0 advantage over Columbus

  
  

  Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - For the first 88 minutes of the Real Salt Lake vs.

  Columbus Crew Eastern Conference Semifinal Series at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night, it looked like the two Major League Soccer teams would be heading to Columbus for the second leg of the total goals, home-and-home series tied at zero.

  But a quick goal by RSL striker Robbie Findley - the Utah club's leading goal scorer in the regular season with 12 - off a throw-in put the underdogs up 1-0 and in the driver's seat.

  After the two teams combined for just three shots on goal, RSL used the game's fourth shot to take the 1-0 lead just two minutes from time. RSL's Will Johnson started the chance with a quick throw-in to Yura Movsisyan on the left sideline.

  Movsisyan took control of the ball and fired a cross to the near post to Findley, who beat defender Eric Brunner to the ball and deflected it just inside the bar, past goalkeeper Will Hesmer.

  RSL, which qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the regular season, switching from the West to the Eastern bracket as the league's last seed, now has a chance to knock off the defending MLS Cup champions when the teams meet at Crew Stadium on Thursday.

  10/31 20:32:48 ET