Many fans had not even made it to their seats at MAPFRE Stadium when Columbus Crew via Justin Meram had already grabbed a very early lead. It was the first goal of the 2015 MLS Conference final's, but it was the fastest of all in the 20 years that the league has been in existance.
Nine seconds was all it took for Meram to get the ball to the back of the net. Only five touches after getting the game started, Columbus was as effective as they could be in their first approach. While a dead ball was left by the penalty kick, it was Meram who took advantage of it and with his right foot, got his shot into the goal.
WATCH: Meram making history with Columbus Crew in only nine seconds
The fastest goal in Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs history, courtesy of @JustinMeram. #CLBvNY https://t.co/02kalU1VtV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 22, 2015
As we said, only nine seconds had gone by between the initial whistle and the opening goal. This goal shadowed the previous 26-second goal record set by a former Columbus Crew player in 1996. Adrian Paz was the name of that footballer that almost 20 years ago scored his goal against the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
Meram is an Iraqi player that played for the University of Michigan and went directly to play for the Crew in 2011. In 31 games this season, Meram has scored six goals. The 26-year-old player has also participated four times with his national team (Iraq).
His goal took everyone by surprise
GOAL CREW!! Wow, that was fast. Justin Meram just SECONDS into the match. 1-0 Columbus.
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) November 22, 2015
GOAL: 12 seconds in and it's Justin Meram with the opener. #CrewSC lead 1-0.
— Andrew King (@AndrewKingMLS) November 22, 2015
soooo Justin Meram just scored 11 seconds into the MLS semis
— mgoblog (@mgoblog) November 22, 2015
.@JustinMeram's goal was timed at 9 seconds. Wow. #CLBvNY
— Read U.S. Soccer (@ReadUSSoccer) November 22, 2015
New York Red Bulls Mike Grella had just scored the fastest goal in the Major League Soccer back in October. It had only taken him seven seconds to give his team a 1-0 lead over Philadelphia Union. Today, Grella and his team were not able to score even once.
Kei Kamara would add one more goal for his Columbus team donw the stretch to come out of the first leg with a 2-0 win. Now the Supporters Shield champions will have an uphill battle at Red Bull Arena if they want to make it to the MLS Cup Final.
WATCH: The goal was good, but the assist was even better
.@CedrickM22 with the footwork. @keikamara with the finish. #CLBvNY https://t.co/nUl0mJsuMU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2015 
