MLS: Minnesota edge out Seattle on penalties as Cincinnati win thrilling derby
Minnesota United and FC Cincinnati progressed to the second round of the MLS playoffs after dramatic wins on Saturday.
Ten-man Minnesota United edged out the Seattle Sounders 7-6 on penalties following a remarkable 3-3 draw at Allianz Field.
Seattle raced into a 2-0 lead inside eight minutes on Saturday, with Albert Rusnak and Danny Musovski on target.
Joaquin Pereyra hit back in the 19th minute for the home team, but Minnesota's comeback hopes were dented when Joseph Rosales saw red for headbutting Jesus Ferreira.
Yet the Loons put their numerical disadvantage to one side after the interval, with Jefferson Diaz and Anthony Markanich scoring in the space of nine minutes to flip the game on its head.
Jordan Morris, though, hauled the Sounders level with two minutes of normal time remaining, setting up the shootout.
Pereyra and Morris both missed their spot-kicks, with Markanich and then Obed Vargas following suit before Hassani Dotson and Osaze De Rosario did likewise.
Yet the decisive moment came when Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, who was only brought on as a late substitute, struck the woodwork with his attempt.
FC Cincinnati, meanwhile, required a late goal from Brenner to see off their fierce rivals, the Columbus Crew, 2-1.
Jacen Russell-Rowe opened the scoring for the Crew in the 63rd minute, but Brenner swiftly equalised before making himself the hero in the 86th minute, as Cincinnati set up an Eastern Conference semi-final against Inter Miami.
Data Debrief: Minnesota march on
Remarkably, Minnesota have not won any of their last four games in regulation time, with both of their victories over Seattle in the best-of-three series coming via penalty shootout.
But given they played with 10 men for so long, the Loons will feel they were worthy of scraping through, even if Seattle boasted the higher expected goals (2.87 to 1.01) and had double the number of shots (22 to 11).
Pereyra was in the thick of the action for Minnesota. Despite missing his penalty, he scored and assisted in normal time, while also leading the hosts for chances created (two).
