Sporting Kansas City 0-3 Minnesota United
KANSAS CITY, KS–Minnesota United entered this match having lost all six previous trips to Children’s Mercy Park, they left on Thursday with their third successive 3-0 win and advanced to their first ever MLS Conference Final.
The top-seeded Sporting KC were the more likely to score in the early going. Johnny Russell chipped keeper Dayne St. Clair in the second minute, but Michael Boxall was there to clear off the line. St. Clair would then deny Robert Puncec in the 15th minute with a great save from close range. Russell was denied again by St. Clair two minutes later.
Then, Emanuel Reynoso entered the picture. Reynoso would send Kevin Molino on his way and unmarked in the 27th minute and Molino beat Tim Melia far post for the opening score. Eight minutes later, Reynoso found Molino again, this time Molino would beat the offside trap and score on a beautiful volley to make it 2-0. Four minutes after that, Reynoso’s corner would be headed in by Bakaye Dibassy for a somewhat improbable 3-0 lead.
The Loons kept Sporting KC from having any meaningful chance to get back in the match in the second half and earned their third successive 3-0 win.
Minnesota now travel to Seattle for the Western Conference Final against Seattle Sounders FC. Kickoff is at 7pm CT on FS1 with a trip to MLS Cup on the line.
