Goalkeeper Tim Melia was the hero for Sporting Kansas as they survived a scare against San Jose Earthquakes, while Minnesota secured their first ever playoff win by beating the Colorado Rapids 3-0. The results mean a WC semifinal clash between Kansas and Minnesota, with the former hosting the knockout tie.
Sporting 3-3 San Jose (SKC win on penalties)
The clash saw the Western Conference leaders square off against San Jose, who were the lowest ranked team in the WC to make it to the playoffs. It was however anything but straightforward for Kansas, who were given a real run for their money by the Earthquakes.
The game started on the perfect note for the hosts as Roger Espinoza nodded home a corner after 22 minutes. However San Jose fought their way back into the game courtesy goals from Carlos Fierro and Shea Salinas and took a surprise 2-1 lead into the interval.
Sporting’s second, like their first, again came from a corner as Ilie Sanchez drew them level early in the second half. Youngster Cade Cowell then missed a golden chance to snatch it for the visitors moments after being subbed on, and Sporting thought they had the game when Gianluca Busio scored in the 91st minute. However there was to be another twist in the tale, and it came from veteran Wondolowski, who scored with practically the last kick of the game to send it to extra time.
Goalkeeper Tim Melia cut a very frustrated figure when Wondolowski’s equaliser went in, but he was the hero for his side in the shootout, saving all three of the visitors’ penalties as Sporting prevailed 3-0. Alanis, Yueill and Espinoza all fluffed their lines from the spot as Melia’s heroics took Sporting through.
If you’re new to the MLS, and are looking to make an informed bet on this popular sport, then backing SKC for the title would perhaps be a good one. They topped the regular Western Conference season and will hold home advantage for the final if they beat Minnesota. With Portland eliminated and only one of Seattle or LAFC potentially able to progress, this could well be SKC’s year.
San Jose actually did better than Sporting on xG in the game (see map below), but the leaders held their nerve to prevail- it’s often the differentiator in big playoff clashes like this one.
Minnesota 3-0 Colorado
This was history being created by Minnesota, for whom Emanuel Reynoso scored a hat trick of assists as they saw off the Rapids 3-0. Kevin Molino scored on either side of Robin Lod’s precise 54th minute finish to send the Loons into the semi-finals. They had fallen at the same stage last season to the LA Galaxy.
Colorado did have their chances- Nicolas Benezet and Cole Bassett both squandered golden opportunities, and the final score was perhaps a tad harsh given the visitors’ efforts. The 2.06-2.02 scoreline on the xG metric tells the story.
