The MLS Cup Playoffs continued on Saturday night with a trio of quality matches, including Inter Miamiâs showdown with Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This is what happened.
Minnesota United 1-1 Real Salt Lake (Minnesota wins on penalties)
Scorers: Rosales 53â˛; Eneli 75â˛
Minnesota United eliminated Real Salt Lake on a penalty shootout in the second leg of Western Conference play.
Minnesota were rampant from the first whistle and perhaps should have blown RSL out of the water before the half-time whistle, but the home side were wasteful in front of goal.
They appeared to be punished for their lack of ruthlessness as the visitors put the ball in the back of the net from distance, but the goal was disallowed for a player who was in an offside position and obstructed the goalkeeperâs view.
But the two sides traded goals in the second half despite Minnesotaâs early control, and after some late heroic defending by RSL the match went to penalties.
After Dayne St. Clair made an impressive save on Diogo Gonçalves in the shootout and Matt Crooks fired his shot high, the Loons held on to wrap up the series and topple Real Salt Lake.
Atlanta United 2-1 InterMiami
Scorers: Williams 58â˛, Silva 90+5â˛; Martinez 40â˛
Atlanta United stunned Inter Miami with an injury-time rocket to force a third match in the series.
The Five Stripes got off to a great start in the opening half hour in front of a raucous crowd of over 68,000 people. Yet their good start was ruined in disastrous fashion when Brad Guzan somehow gave the ball away when he tried to kick the ball long, allowing Inter Miami to score into an empty net.
However, the Five Stripes did not let their guard down and came out with a little more energy after the break, eventually finding the equalizer thanks to a brilliant header from Derrick Williams just before the hour mark.
However, Miami switched gears after he was pulled, creating a flurry of opportunities that required downright heroic defending for Brad Guzan.
Nevertheless, the best chance to achieve victory and avoid penalties belonged to Saba Lobzhanidze, but the man from Atlanta shot over the crossbar in the final minutes.
Just as the match seemed to be winding down, Atlanta sliced ââthrough Miamiâs wide-open defense and Xande Silva fired a rocket into the top corner, sealing a late win for the hosts.
The series now heads back to Miami for a third and final match in the series â the winner will move on.
NYCFC 3-1 FC Cincinnati
Scorers: MartĂnez 22â˛, Martins 40â˛, RodrĂguez 90+7Ⲡ(P); Orellano 65â˛
NYCFC forced a decisive third game on Saturday evening with a big win against FC Cincinnati at Citi Field.
Cincinnati looked back to their brilliant and solid best in the first match between the two Eastern Conference foes, but they led early in Queens and trailed 2-0 at halftime after a beautiful team goal capped off by Alonso. MartĂnez, and a header from Thiago Martins.
As NYCFC surged forward to find a third and game-killing goal, Cincinnati pulled one back via a frankly stunning strike from Luca Orellano, who nutmegged a NYCFC defender before finding the top corner.
The visitors did create a number of late chances to level the score, but heroic goalkeeping from Matt Freese and a late penalty from Santiago RodrĂguez ensured the Pigeons held on and sent the series back to Cincinnati.
đ¸ Todd Kirkland â 2024 Getty Images
