Minnesota United Vs Sporting KC: 4 things we learned – Magic Mannone secures playoff spot
By Chris Smith
2. Late, late show
My word, what a way to confirm your first-ever appearance in the MLS playoffs.
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Minnesota United have had a wonderful season but sure did make it difficult for themselves in recent weeks, winning just four of their last 11 MLS games and keeping fans on tenterhooks all the way. Wednesday finally saw the Loons seal their place in the postseason and, well, they did it in dramatic fashion.
Heath’s side went 1-0 down early on and from there, things looked really bleak. SKC kept hammering away at the Minnesota penalty area and it seemed more like a matter of if than when they’d double their lead. But the home side held in there and kept carving out chances of their own. They were finally rewarded in the 70th minute when Ozzie Alonso got on the end of an Abu Danladi cross to bring them level.
And then the drama really started. SKC kept on hammering on the door, hitting the bar and drawing some defensive heroics from Minnesota, but the Loons finally got their noses in front via some Hassani Dotson brilliance in the box in the 90th minute.
Allianz Field erupted in an outpouring of joy and emotion. Spare a thought for SKC but, still, Minnesota really, really deserve this.