Davies leads Revolution over Crew in playoffs

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Charlie Davies scored twice to lead the New England Revolution over the Columbus Crew 4-2 Saturday in the first leg of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference semifinals.

The second leg of the total-goals series is Nov. 9 at New England. The winner plays New York or D.C. United for a spot in the MLS Cup.

Davis put the Revolution ahead in the 34th minute with a diving header off Kelyn Rowe's free kick, and Chris Tierney scored on a left-footed free kick from 23 yards in the 51st.

Justin Meram halved Columbus' deficit in the 64th minute, but Lee Nguyen made it 3-1 six minutes later when he made a run down the center of the field and beat goalkeeper Steve Clark.

Davies added a second goal in the 78th minute, and Federico Higuain converted a penalty kick for Columbus in stoppage time.