Crew's unbeaten streak ended

ASSOCIATED PRESS
FOXBORO, Mass. -- Avery John scored his first career goal in the 25th minute to help the New England Revolution snap the Columbus Crew's 18-game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 victory Saturday in the opening round of the MLS playoffs.
New England, which entered the postseason at 8-13-9, handed Columbus its first loss since June 26. The second game of the two-game, total goals series is Oct. 31 in Columbus.
John sent a left-footed shot from 25 yards into the top left corner of the net, catching Columbus goalkeeper Jon Busch by surprise.
Columbus almost evened the score in the final seconds of the first half, but New England goalkeeper Matt Reis tipped away a direct kick in stoppage time.
During the second half, Columbus had two more scoring chances. Reis stopped a shot by Kyle Martino in the 77th minute. Then in the 88th minute, Frankie Hejduk sent a shot just wide of the post.
D.C. United 2, MetroStars 0
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Earnie Stewart and Alecko Eskandarian scored in the second half for D.C. United.
The 35-year-old Stewart scored his first MLS playoff goal in the 67th minute. He took a 50-yard pass from Ryan Nelsen, came in alone against goalkeeper Jonny Walker and fired a high shot to the left corner of the goal.
Eskandarian put the game away in the 88th minute with a strong shot from 18 yards out that eluded both Walker and MetroStars defender Jeff Parke.