MLS Playoffs: Conference finals set
The 2024 Major League Soccer playoffs moved to the single-elimination semifinal round, beginning at Citi Field on Saturday. The New York Red Bulls beat NYCFC 2-0 in the Eastern Conference. Felipe Ares opened the scoring in the 16th at Citi Field and Dante Vanzeir doubled the lead in the 24th minute.
Seattle won 2-1 at LAFC in extra time in the Western Conference. Ryan Hollingshead put LAFC up in the 50th with an own-goal leveling the score in the 59th. Jordan Morris scored for the Sounders in the 109th minute.
On Sunday, Orlando City beat Atlanta United 1-0 at home to advance in the Eastern Conference. Ramiro Enrique scored Orlando’s goal in the 39th minute.
The LA Galaxy advanced in the Western Conference with a 6-2 home win over Minnesota. Gabriel Pec put the Galaxy up in the 1st with Kelvin Yeboah equalizing in the 6th. Dejan Jovelic returned the Galaxy lead in the 19th and Joseph Paintsil made it 3-1 in the 37th. Yeboah converted a penalty for Minnesota four minutes into first-half stoppage time. Pec added another goal for the Galaxy in the 50th. United’s Jefferson Diaz saw red in the 82nd. Paintsil extended the Galaxy lead in the 86th and Jovelic scored again in the 89th minute.
