Real Salt Lake delivered the biggest upset so far in the 2021 MLS Cup playoffs by eliminating the No. 2 seed Seattle Sounders in the first round. The game was decided via penalty-kick shootout after a scoreless regulation and extra time.

Sounders entered the game as overwhelming favorites, and it showed right away. They dominated the first half and didn’t allow a single shot from the opponent. The same continued in the second period, but Real’s defense and goalie David Ochoa showed impressive composure to keep their net intact.

After the regular 90 minutes wrapped up with teams tied, Seattle pushed all their chips upfront and continued the heavy attacks. However, only one of their 10 shots was on goal, which wasn’t enough to change the score. Salt Lake, on the other hand, went both regulation and extra time without registering a single shot.

Both teams were coolheaded to start the shootout, making each of their first five penalties. In the sixth series, Ochoa came through once again and saved the shot from attacking midfielder Kelyn Rowe. Real’s defender Justen Glad stepped up to take the deciding penalty and managed to get it in despite Sounders’ goalie Stefan Frei getting a hand on the ball.

Salt Lake, who entered the playoffs as a seventh seed, will face Sporting Kansas City in the Western Conference semifinals. The remainder of MLS semifinal matchups is in place as well, with Colorado Rapids facing the Portland Timbers, New England Revolution playing NYCFC, and Nashville FC going up against Philadelphia Union.

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The Portland Timbers beat Kansas City 3-2 on Thursday to win the Western Conference and book a place in the MLS Cup on Dec. 8. The team will face Atlanta United in their second MLS Cup appearance in four seasons.

Kansas City opened the scoresheet in the 20^th minute after Diego Rubio passed the ball through Zarek Valentin’s legs for a superb first-half goal. The Timbers attempted to equalize in the 40^th minute but Andy Polo’s shot was blocked by Sporting’s goalkeeper.

In the second half, Sebastian Blanco netted a beautiful goal with a shot from outside the box to level the game on in the 52^nd minute. With that goal, Portland only required to hold defense and could have won the competition based on the away goal rule.

Luckily for their fans, the Timbers sought a clear win, scoring in the 81^st and the 90^th + 9 minutes through goals by Gerso Fernandes and Diego Valeri. Coach Giovanni Savares credited his team for the hard work and said the team placed the team where it wanted to be.

“It’s a credit to a group that worked hard, a group that believed all along that we could achieve something great,” the coach said. “Now, this achievement puts us where we want to be, in the final.”

The Timbers will face title favorites Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December eight.

The post Portland Timbers beats Kansas City 3-2, Books MLS Cup Spot against Atlanta United appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Real Salt Lake delivered the biggest upset so far in the 2021 MLS Cup playoffs by eliminating the No. 2 seed Seattle Sounders in the first round. The game was decided via penalty-kick shootout after a scoreless regulation and extra time.

Sounders entered the game as overwhelming favorites, and it showed right away. They dominated the first half and didn’t allow a single shot from the opponent. The same continued in the second period, but Real’s defense and goalie David Ochoa showed impressive composure to keep their net intact.

After the regular 90 minutes wrapped up with teams tied, Seattle pushed all their chips upfront and continued the heavy attacks. However, only one of their 10 shots was on goal, which wasn’t enough to change the score. Salt Lake, on the other hand, went both regulation and extra time without registering a single shot.

Both teams were coolheaded to start the shootout, making each of their first five penalties. In the sixth series, Ochoa came through once again and saved the shot from attacking midfielder Kelyn Rowe. Real’s defender Justen Glad stepped up to take the deciding penalty and managed to get it in despite Sounders’ goalie Stefan Frei getting a hand on the ball.

Salt Lake, who entered the playoffs as a seventh seed, will face Sporting Kansas City in the Western Conference semifinals. The remainder of MLS semifinal matchups is in place as well, with Colorado Rapids facing the Portland Timbers, New England Revolution playing NYCFC, and Nashville FC going up against Philadelphia Union.

The post Salt Lake Upset Sounders via PK Shootout, Advance to MLS Cup Semis appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Portland Timbers beat Kansas City 3-2 on Thursday to win the Western Conference and book a place in the MLS Cup on Dec. 8. The team will face Atlanta United in their second MLS Cup appearance in four seasons.

Kansas City opened the scoresheet in the 20^th minute after Diego Rubio passed the ball through Zarek Valentin’s legs for a superb first-half goal. The Timbers attempted to equalize in the 40^th minute but Andy Polo’s shot was blocked by Sporting’s goalkeeper.

In the second half, Sebastian Blanco netted a beautiful goal with a shot from outside the box to level the game on in the 52^nd minute. With that goal, Portland only required to hold defense and could have won the competition based on the away goal rule.

Luckily for their fans, the Timbers sought a clear win, scoring in the 81^st and the 90^th + 9 minutes through goals by Gerso Fernandes and Diego Valeri. Coach Giovanni Savares credited his team for the hard work and said the team placed the team where it wanted to be.

“It’s a credit to a group that worked hard, a group that believed all along that we could achieve something great,” the coach said. “Now, this achievement puts us where we want to be, in the final.”

The Timbers will face title favorites Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December eight.

The post Portland Timbers beats Kansas City 3-2, Books MLS Cup Spot against Atlanta United appeared first on SportzBonanza.