With the MLS playoffs in full swing, round one has gotten some juice. On Saturday, ninth-seeded Atlanta United delivered a stunning loss to No. 1 Inter Miami, forcing a decider for the three-match series. Atlanta took a 2-1 lead deep into injury time thanks to a beautiful goal from striker Xande Silva.
After a first-half goal from Miami center back David Martínez, Atlanta tied things up in the 58th minute with a goal from defender Derrick Williams. Then, in the 94th minute, Silva played hero, putting the ball in the back of the net and forcing a Game 3.
Atlanta started the playoffs by defeating Montreal in the wild card round. Atlanta lost the first game against Miami 2-1 before turning things around for Game 2.
The two teams now travel back to Miami for Game 3, with Inter Miami getting a chance to stave off the unrest at home.
Of the five matchups that have had a Game 2, three have forced a Game 3. On Friday, Charlotte defeated Orlando City on penalties to even the series, while New York City FC recorded a 3-1 victory over Cincinnati FC to take the series to the next level. 1-1.
Part of this is due to the round one playoff format, which has a home-away-home structure for the three-match series. All of the teams that forced a Game 3 were lower seeded teams that won at home. The matchups also go straight to penalty kicks in the event of a draw; so far, four of the first round matches have been decided by penalties.
The LA Galaxy and Minnesota United are the only two teams to complete the series so far. The Galaxy, the No. 2 seed in the West, defeated the Colorado Rapids with a dominant 4-1 victory on Friday to secure a spot in the conference semifinals.
Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Minnesota became the first lower-seeded team to upset the series, beating No. 3 Real Salt Lake in Game 2 after a second penalty shootout. Minnesota goalie Dayne St. Clair had two big PK saves in the 3-1 shootout win.
Three Game 2 matchups remain, with all three games taking place on Sunday: New York Red Bulls hosting defending champion Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo hosting the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver hosting top-seeded LAFC. The Red Bulls, who are the only team besides Minnesota to dismiss the higher seed, have a chance to clinch a spot in the semifinals themselves.
