Eric Remedi scored the first goal of his career as Atlanta United edged past NYC FC, 1-0, in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

In a bruising affair, Argentinian Remedi's solitary goal eight minutes before halftime proved decisive and puts the Five Stripes in pole position ahead of the second leg Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

NYC FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson had kept out Josef Martinez's powerful volley from a corner but was unable to do anything about Remedi scrambling home the rebound from close range.

In the other Eastern Conference semifinal, the Columbus Crew followed up its penalty shootout win over DC United with a 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls.

Federico Higuain — who scored twice against DC United — teed up Gyasi Zardes with a deft backheel after 61 minutes, the former LA Galaxy player slotting past Luis Robles.

In the Western Conference semifinals, the Portland Timbers saw off the Seattle Sounders, 2-1, while Real Salt Lake and Sporting KC played out a 1-1 draw.

In Portland, Raul Ruidiaz gave the Sounders an early lead, but the Timbers bounced back with goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastian Blanco within the space of 12 minutes.

At the Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah, Diego Rubio canceled out Albert Rusnak's opener as Sporting KC secured an important away draw before the return leg Sunday.