Cummings helps Rapids reach MLS Conference Finals

NEW YORK CITY (CMC):

FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids, two sides with Caribbean connections, have reached the Conference Finals of Major League Soccer.

FCD, whose line-up regularly includes Jamaica-born forward Jeff Cunningham, drew 1-1 with Real Salt Lake, whose side included Jamaica midfielder Andy Williams, on Saturday.

The Rapids, with Reggae Boyz striker Omar Cummings in the frontline, won 5-4 on penalty kicks, after their home-and-away series with Columbus Crew was tied 2-2 on aggregate, following a 2-1 score-line inside regular and extra time.

Neither Cunningham nor Cummings struck in their respective matches, but the results meant that Dallas advanced to the Western Conference final and the Rapids move into the Eastern Conference final.

Western conference final

In the Western Conference final, FCD will meet the winner of the other Western Conference semi-final, which concluded last night when Seattle Sounders visited the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California.

Colorado will host the San Jose Earthquakes in the Eastern Confe-rence final next week Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, Colorado.

In Columbus, Ohio, the Rapids reached the Eastern final, when Crew's Brian Carroll fired his penalty kick over the crossbar in the fifth round of the shoot-out at Crew Stadium.

The Rapids had won the first leg of the series 1-0 on home soil and were trailing 2-1 on aggregate, following strikes from Eddie Gaven in the 22nd minute and Robbie Rogers in the 70th.

Connor Casey brought the Rapids back to life, when he trapped a right-sided cross from Cummings, moved on the inside of defender Eric Brunner and hit a rasping right-footed shot six minutes from time.

Both sides missed good chances in extra time, but the Rapids kept their composure in the penalty shoot-out.

In Sandy, Utah, Dax McCarthy scored his first post-season goal to give FCD the lead after 17 minutes at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Just when it appeared they would have an easy road into the Western final, Robbie Findley sent shivers down their spine, when he netted a 79th minute goal.

Dallas still enjoyed a 3-2 series lead on aggregate, but it meant that the last 11 minutes of the match was quite tense, as they sought to confirm their place.

The final result sent FCD through to the Western Conference final for the first time since 1999.