MLS: Top 3 performances from Conference semi-finals

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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 23: Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) celebrates his 2nd half goal with forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) during a MLS Western Conference semifinal match between the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake on October 23, 2019, at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

This week, the MLS Conference semi-finals took place. Here are the top three performances from the latest sensational slate of playoff contests.

The first match of the Major League Soccer Conference semi-finals week saw the number one seed in the East, New York City FC, take on 2017 MLS Cup Champions Toronto FC. There would be a shock at Citi Field as a double from Alejandro Pozuelo downed the Sky Blues and send the Canadian side through.

Toronto’s opponents in both the 2016 and 2017 MLS Cup finals, the Seattle Sounders, also made it through to the Conference Finals on Wednesday night. They shutout Real Salt Lake with goals from Nicolas Lodeiro and Raul Ruidiaz sending the Rave Green through to the last four.

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Thursday’s action started with the second shutout of the week as the reigning MLS Cup champions Atlanta United got the better of Philadelphia Union, who were coming off their first-ever playoff win. Julian Gressel and Josef Martinez got the goals for the Five Stripes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The final match of the week was a thriller, just like it promised to be, as Los Angeles FC and the LA Galaxy scored eight goals between them in the historical postseason El Trafico. Braces from Carlos Vela and Adama Diomande helped the Black and Gold to their first-ever victory over their city rivals.

Here are our best three performances from the week.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 23: Nicolas Lodeiro #10 of Seattle Sounders watches the Real Salt Lake corner kick at CenturyLink Field on October 23, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Sounders top the Real Salt Lake 2-0. The Seattle Sounders top the Real Salt Lake 2-0 to win the Western Conference Semifinal. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

3. Nicolas Lodeiro

Once again, the Seattle Sounders found a way to win a postseason clash. And once again, Nicolas Lodeiro was influential in the victory, having a direct hand in both goals in the Sounders 2-0 win, which sees them advance to the Conference Finals next week.

After a goalless first period of play, in which Lodeiro saw a long shot hit the post, the Sounders came out firing in the second. The hosts took the lead as the Uruguayan playmaker set up Gustav Svensson with an in-swinging corner. Lodeiro then scored a wonderful looping and curling strike with nine minutes to play to kill the game off, making it 2-0.

RSL went down to ten men late on as Everton Luiz was sent off for a two-footed challenge. Seattle held onto that scoreline to keep a clean sheet and advance through to the Conference Finals, where will face Los Angeles FC at Ban of California Stadium. And with Lodeiro on song, you would be brave to bet against them.

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