Crew beats Red Bulls in first leg of Eastern semifinal

COLUMBUS, OHIO >> Gyasi Zardes scored his 20th goal of the season in the 61st minute, helping the Columbus Crew beat the Supporters’ Shield holder New York Red Bulls 1-0 Sunday in the opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The second leg is next Sunday at Red Bull Arena.

Zardes had a sliding finish of a back-heel pass from second-half substitute Federico Higuain. It was Zardes’ third career postseason goal.

New York goalkeeper Luis Robles denied Pedro Santos’ open shot from distance in the 89th, and Steffen blocked Bradley WrightPhillips’ glancing header in stoppage time.

New York’s best scoring chance came in the 27th minute when Tim Parker headed a corner kick off the post that deflected off Steffen and was cleared away. TIMBERS 2, SOUNDERS 1 >> Sebastian Blanco put the Timbers in front with a goal in the 29th minute and Portland hung on over a tense second half in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals.

The second leg is set for Thursday night in Seattle.

Ruidiaz scored in the 10th minute for the Sounders. The Timbers pulled even a short time later on Jeremy Ebobisse’s goal, and moved in front on Blanco’s goal.

ATLANTA UNITED 1, NYCFC 0 >> Eric Remedi scored his first MLS goal in the 37th minute and Atlanta United beat New York FC in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Atlanta, which has won 11 of its 18 road games this season, will host the second leg next Sunday.

Remedi tapped in a rebound after Josef Martinez’s one-touch shot was blocked by Sean Johnson and settled against the post.