Harrison, NJ – Mike Magee helped the Los Angeles Galaxy claim 0 win over Red Bull New York at Red Bull Arena on Sunday.
The Galaxy will take the one-goal lead back to The Home Depot Center, where they finished the regular season unbeaten with a record of 12-0-5.
Magee scored the telling goal in the 15th minute, as David Beckham played a through ball to the L.A. striker.
The Red Bulls defense stood in unison with arms raised, waiting for an offside call that never came.
Magee took advantage, firing a shot to the far post as the New York backline, and goalkeeper Frank Rost, failed to even lodge an attempt to stop him.
Rost made amends, producing a crucial save in a one-on-one situation with Landon Donovan in the 56th minute to keep New York in the match.
Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders made a vital save of his own, denying a long- distance shot from Rafa Marquez to preserve the lead for Los Angeles.
Even with no further scoring in the match, it ended with a bang as Marquez hurled the ball at a Galaxy player after the final whistle.
Marquez then traded blows with Juninho in scuffle that escalated as more players became involved, but quickly simmered.
The Red Bulls, who have a playoff record of 0-2-0 in two seasons at Red Bull Arena, will head to The Home Depot Center for the return leg on Thursday, needing to overturn a one-goal deficit.
