COLUMBUS, Ohio – Justin Meram had the fastest goal in MLS Cup playoff history, Kei Kamara also scored and the Columbus Crew beat the New York Red Bulls 2-0 on Sunday night in the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals.

Meram opened the scoring at the 9-second mark. Kamara had a glancing header off a long ball, Ethan Finlay ran it down but lost control between two defenders and Meram sent the loose ball home.

Kamara scored in the 85th minute. Cedrick used individual skill to beat three defenders in the box and sent a difficult-angled shot off the hand of goalkeeper Luis Robles. Kamara was left alone at the far post for an easy tap in.

New York was held scoreless for the first time since May 24.

The second game is next Sunday night in Harrison, New Jersey.

TIMBERS 3, FC DALLAS 1

PORTLAND, Ore. – Liam Ridgewell, Dairon Asprilla and Nat Borchers scored and Portland beat FC Dallas in the first leg of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference finals.

With a 2-0 deficit, David Texeira scored in the 61st minute to narrow it for Dallas, the West’s top seed in the playoffs. But Borchers added a goal for Portland at the 90-minute mark.

The surging Timbers have the upper hand going into the second leg in Texas next Sunday.