In a scoreless first half, RSL was able to generate several scoring opportunities by springing the counter attack and beating New York with early balls in behind the defense. Joao Plata had two such chances narrowly miss in a short span. On the first, he got free up the left side, then cut a right-footed shot that glanced just beyond the far post. On the next, he cut back to his left foot on a run in the box and shot to the far post only to have it hit the upright and bounce back into New York goalkeeper Ryan Meara's hands.