MLS: Kansas City, Minnesota and Dallas qualify for quarter-finals

Kansas City, Minnesota and Dallas advanced to the quarterfinals of the MLS play-offs, including two epic shootout sessions. Sporting Kansas City goaltender Tim Melia was heroic in stopping all three shots on goal for the San José Earthquakes, with both teams neutralizing at the end of regulation time by a score of 3-3 (3- 0 to tab). « Everyone is capable of taking penalties, but stopping them is something else, and Tim knows how to do it », said after the meeting Peter Vermes, the coach of Sporting. “I’ve never seen that before, in any game, ever. « 

As for the match between the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas, concluded with a score of parity (1-1), it took up to 8 shots on goal to 7 for the Texas team, which had equalized in the additional time of the second half, ended up winning. Minnesota United qualified more easily, winning 3-0 against the Colorado Rapids, thanks in particular to a brace from Trinidad and Tobago player Kevin Molino. The Minneapolis-based club will meet Sporting Kansas City in the next round.

On Tuesday in the Eastern Conference, Nashville SC, which played off Inter Miami in the playoffs, will move to the Toronto field as regular season leaders Philadephia Union host New England Revolution. In the Western Conference, Seattle Sounders of Uruguayan Nicolas Lodeiro will host Los Angeles FC of Mexican Carlos Vela.