The conference semifinals are underway in the MLS Cup playoffs as we move into the single-elimination portion of the competition.
Here’s what happened Saturday night in the conference semifinals.
LAFC 1-2 Seattle Sounders
Shooters: Hollingshead 50′; Chanot 59′ (OG), Morris 109′
Seattle stunned LAFC in Los Angeles thanks to an overtime winner from Jordan Morris.
Despite dominating the Sounders in recent games, LAFC struggled to get a foothold in the game and ended the first half without a shot on goal.
But they found another gear after the break and the opening goal was scored by an unlikely source, Ryan Hollingshead.
While LAFC usually come out on top at home in the playoffs, they were undone by a freak own goal just nine minutes later when Maxime Chanot fired the ball into his own net after a cross was fired at him.
With the scores tied after 90 minutes, the two Western Conference foes headed into overtime with the momentum squarely in LAFC’s favor.
The two teams traded chances in extra time but it was Jordan Morris who found the ruthless touch with a stunning spin and finish to beat Hugo Lloris at close range to stun the visitors in extra time to pull off the upset.
NYCFC 0-2 New York Red Bulls
Shooters: Carballo 16′, Vanzeir 24′
The New York Red Bulls are boasting their first-ever Hudson River Derby in the playoffs and booked their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.
It was all Red Bulls from the start as their high-pressure system benefited greatly from the tight confines of Citi Field, and it didn’t take long for them to find the opener.
After Carlos Coronel’s kick, the ball fell to Felipe Carballo and the Uruguayan smashed the ball into the net from distance to open the scoring in style.
However, the visitors were not finished as a deflected corner kick found its way to Dante Vanzeira just eight minutes later and the striker tapped home from close range.
While NYCFC struggled to get within touching distance, their usually clinical forwards seemed to have abandoned their shooting boots in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Red Bulls will now await the winner of Sunday’s clash between Orlando City and Atlanta United.
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