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.

Seattle Sounders are on their best come postseason time. And they showed that in the first round of 2020 MLS Cup playoffs, beating the LAFC 3-1 and securing a spot in the Western Conference semis.

It was a dominant performance from the reigning MLS Cup champions, as Sounders opened the scoring just 18 minutes into the contest. Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris made a well-executed setup in LAFC’s penalty box, making it easy for Nicolas Lodeiro to strike it home and give his team a lead.

LAFC had a chance to bounce back right away, being awarded a penalty in the 21st minute following a Nouhou Tolo’s tackle on Carlos Vela. LA’s star striker took it upon himself to execute but delivered a bad shot that was easily caught Sounders’ goalie Stefan Frei.

Seattle increased their lead in the 66th minute when Ruidiaz used a commotion in LAFC’s penalty box after a corner kick and scored from a beautiful volley.

Colombia’s Eduard Atuesta gave some hope to LAFC by scoring in the 77th minute, but this turned out to be everything that the LA team managed to do. Sounders closed out the game just three minutes later after Morris added a goal to his name alongside the assist.

Sounders, who have a chance to add their third MLS Cup win in five years this season, will next face FC Dallas.

LAFC, on the other hand, is ending their quest for trophies early on once again and will have to go back to the drawing board.

The post Defending MLS Cup Champs Seattle Sounders Beat LAFC 3-1 to Open the Playoffs 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.

Seattle Sounders are on their best come postseason time. And they showed that in the first round of 2020 MLS Cup playoffs, beating the LAFC 3-1 and securing a spot in the Western Conference semis.

It was a dominant performance from the reigning MLS Cup champions, as Sounders opened the scoring just 18 minutes into the contest. Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris made a well-executed setup in LAFC’s penalty box, making it easy for Nicolas Lodeiro to strike it home and give his team a lead.

LAFC had a chance to bounce back right away, being awarded a penalty in the 21st minute following a Nouhou Tolo’s tackle on Carlos Vela. LA’s star striker took it upon himself to execute but delivered a bad shot that was easily caught Sounders’ goalie Stefan Frei.

Seattle increased their lead in the 66th minute when Ruidiaz used a commotion in LAFC’s penalty box after a corner kick and scored from a beautiful volley.

Colombia’s Eduard Atuesta gave some hope to LAFC by scoring in the 77th minute, but this turned out to be everything that the LA team managed to do. Sounders closed out the game just three minutes later after Morris added a goal to his name alongside the assist.

Sounders, who have a chance to add their third MLS Cup win in five years this season, will next face FC Dallas.

LAFC, on the other hand, is ending their quest for trophies early on once again and will have to go back to the drawing board.

The post Defending MLS Cup Champs Seattle Sounders Beat LAFC 3-1 to Open the Playoffs appeared first on SportzBonanza.