New England went ahead 1-0 in the eighth minute as Adam Cristman capitalized on a moment of indecision from RSL keeper Nick Rimando and defender Nat Borchers. After a booming kick from New England's keeper bounced once, Rimando and Borchers each had a chance to make a play on the ball at the top of the box, but they hesitated and Cristman snuck between them and headed it into the empty net.

"I take responsibility for that play. The ball came over the top of the head and it was one of those plays I should've just gotten rid of it immediately, but instead I tried to shield it back, and Nick and I just had a miscommunication," said Borchers.

It was the first goal RSL has allowed in the opening half hour of any match this year. The deficit didn't last very long.

Three minutes later the teams were again on even terms as New England defender Jay Heaps knocked a free kick from RSL midfielder Javier Morales into the back of his own net.

"That was hugely important we had a quick turnaround," Kreis said. "Had it drug on until halftime, it would've been a difficult thing to come back from mentally for the guys."

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