The Daily Dirt: Portland Timbers win in penalties; Montreal Impact hammer Toronto FC

Round 1 of the 2015 MLS Playoffs is in the books, and the second night of action provided as much entertainment as the first. Portland Timbers closed out the evening with a thrilling penalty shootout win over Sporting Kansas City. The Timbers held a 1-0 lead late in regular time, but Kansas City pulled level in the 87th minute. Then KC took a 2-1 advantage in the 96th minute, before Portland equalized in the 117th.

As if the regular and extra time highlights weren't enough, the shootout came down to the goalkeepers. Adam Kwarasey converted from the spot to give portland a 7-6 lead, and then saved a penalty from KC's Jon Kempin to end it.

MLS Playoffs: Impact will face Columbus Crew in conference semifinals [Mount Royal Soccer]

Unlike Portland, Montreal had no thoughts of leaving it late against its Canadian rival. The Impact scored three first-half goals and cruised to a 3-0 win over Toronto FC.

The conference semifinals are set. New York Red Bulls take on D.C. United and Columbus Crew SC face Montreal in the East. In the West, Portland meets Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas plays Seattle Sounders.

What's happening in The A?

The Hawks rebounded in their second game of the 2015-16 NBA season, posting a 112-101 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. It was a vintage Hawks performance that saw six Atlanta players score in double-figures, led by Jeff Teague with 23 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and one steal and Al Horford with 21 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and an assist.

Talking Chop's 1995 World Series retrospective continues with Game 3. The win put Atlanta one win away from its first championship.

Falcons second-year running back Devonta Freeman has gotten off to a great start this season, and he's been rewarded by being named NFC offensive player of the month for October.