MLS playoffs: LA Galaxy run riot as Orlando also make conference finals

LA Galaxy 6-2 Minnesota United

Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic each scored two goals on Sunday to help LA Galaxy beat Minnesota United and advance to the Western Conference finals.

The Galaxy, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, will host the fourth-seeded Seattle Sounders for the conference title on Saturday.

LA set an MLS record with 15 goals in the span of three playoff games. The Galaxy posted a best-of-three series in the first round against Colorado, defeating the Rapids 5-0 and 4-1.

Joveljic gave the Galaxy the lead for good in the 18th. Marco Reus played a free kick into the area where Joveljic tapped a header inside the back post to make it 2-1. Miki Yamane played a cross from the right that Joveljic referred to Paintsil for a one-touch finish inside the back post to double the lead in the 37th minute.

Kelvin Yeboah, who opened the scoring for Minnesota in the sixth, converted from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time to make it 3-2 at halftime. The 24-year-old forward played in just the third multi-goal playoff game in franchise history. Kevin Molino scored two goals each in back-to-back playoff games for Minnesota in 2020.

Riqui Puig played a through ball to Pec, who slid behind the defense, won the ball from defender Jefferson Diaz and beat goalkeeper Dayne St Clair with a rolling shot into the back post, putting LA ahead 1–0 just 30 seconds into the match. . It was the fastest playoff goal in franchise history and the second fastest ever in the playoffs (Portland’s Diego Valeri scored in 27 seconds against the Columbus Crew in 2015).

Pec evaded a potential tackle in midfield and beat a trio of defenders on the right side of the area, where he played a slow-roller inside the back post to give LA a 4-2 in the 50th minute.

Diaz was booked in the 68th minute and the Galaxy played a man down after being shown another yellow card in the 83rd minute.

Paintsil and Joveljic scored goals in the 86th and 89th minutes respectively to limit the score.

LA had 69.8% possession, although each team had 15 shots.

St Clair stopped three shots for Minnesota, including a diving save from a Pec penalty in the 78th minute.

Orlando City 1-0 Atlanta United

Ramiro Enrique scored a first-half goal and that was all they needed as Orlando City recorded a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Number four seed Orlando City will host the seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls in their first trip to the conference finals next weekend. The Red Bulls have made the play-offs for fourteen consecutive seasons, but have never won the Cup.

Orlando City took a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute through Ramiro Enrique, who scored from a corner kick that hit teammate César Araújo’s chest close to the goal. It was Enrique’s first goal contribution in seven playoff appearances. He scored eight times in the regular season.

Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese didn’t have to make a save in his 10th career postseason start – all with Orlando City. Three of his five shutouts in the playoffs have come in the past two seasons. During the regular season he had eight clean sheets. Brad Guzan made three saves for Atlanta United. He made 18 postseason starts for Atlanta United after making four starts for Chivas USA in 2006-07.

Atlanta United lost Daniel Ríos to a concussion four minutes into the second half and Ronald Hernández replaced him.

Atlanta United dominated the series during the regular season, posting an 11-4-7 record. Atlanta United won both games this regular season: 2-1 on the road and 2-0 at home. The two clubs had never met in the postseason.