Orlando City SC secured a place in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs after beating Nashville SC 1-0 in the second game of the best-of-three Round One series on Tuesday night.

Orlando got an early lead thanks to Iván Angulo’s goal in the sixth minute and did just enough to keep the score intact. The first match between the two teams also saw Orlando get a 1-0 win.

Orlando City’s coach, Oscar Pareja, said after the game that his team could have made the win more comfortable but was pleased with the effort the players put in.

“We played a very complete match, especially because we were solid in the attacking areas and could have probably scored a couple more goals,” Pareja said. “We continue with our journey thinking that we can do it. We are very proud and I want to congratulate the players on the tremendous effort that they have done.”

This is the first time in three MLS Cup Playoffs trips that Orlando City SC managed to advance past Round One. They will now face either Columbus Crew or Atlanta United FC in the single-match Conference Semifinals.

Columbus got a 2-0 win in the opener before Atlanta took Game 2 with a 2-4 win. The two teams are set to meet again in Game 3 decider on Sunday. 

The post Orlando City SC Advances to East Semifinals With 1-0 Win Over Nashville SC 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.

Orlando City SC secured a place in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs after beating Nashville SC 1-0 in the second game of the best-of-three Round One series on Tuesday night.

Orlando got an early lead thanks to Iván Angulo’s goal in the sixth minute and did just enough to keep the score intact. The first match between the two teams also saw Orlando get a 1-0 win.

Orlando City’s coach, Oscar Pareja, said after the game that his team could have made the win more comfortable but was pleased with the effort the players put in.

“We played a very complete match, especially because we were solid in the attacking areas and could have probably scored a couple more goals,” Pareja said. “We continue with our journey thinking that we can do it. We are very proud and I want to congratulate the players on the tremendous effort that they have done.”

This is the first time in three MLS Cup Playoffs trips that Orlando City SC managed to advance past Round One. They will now face either Columbus Crew or Atlanta United FC in the single-match Conference Semifinals.

Columbus got a 2-0 win in the opener before Atlanta took Game 2 with a 2-4 win. The two teams are set to meet again in Game 3 decider on Sunday. 

The post Orlando City SC Advances to East Semifinals With 1-0 Win Over Nashville SC 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.