MLS Cup play-offs: RSL stun Sporting KC to reach Conference final, Union win painful shoot-out

Real Salt Lake continued their giant-slaying run with another upset, this time stunning Sporting Kansas City 2-1 at the death to reach the Western Conference final in the MLS Cup play-offs.

After eliminating Seattle Sounders on penalties in the opening round, RSL were at it again on Sunday as they produced a second-half comeback to end Sporting KC’s season in dramatic fashion.

Sporting KC appeared on track thanks to Johnny Russell’s 24th-minute penalty before the seventh-seeded RSL – who were making their 10th Conference semi-final appearance, only Seattle have managed more (12) since 2008 – made their move.

After almost falling 2-0 behind when Gadi Kinda’s free-kick was headed off the post, RSL substitute Anderson Julio equalised 18 minutes from the end.

BOBBY FREAKING WOOD ARE YOU JOKING pic.twitter.com/y4EXhJ9rrZ

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 28, 2021

Bobby Wood completed the comeback in the first minute of stoppage time, finishing past Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia.

RSL will next face Portland Timbers for a spot in the MLS Cup decider.

Elsewhere, Nashville missed all four of their penalties as Philadelphia Union prevailed 2-0 in the shoot-out to book a spot in the Eastern Conference final for the first time in the club’s history.

C.H.A.O.S. pic.twitter.com/GINHoNOCmL

— x – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) November 29, 2021

Penalties were needed after Hany Mukhtar’s opener was cancelled out by Union star Daniel Gazdag in Philadelphia.

But it was a painful shoot-out for Nashville, who were unable to find the back of the net as Andre Blake made two saves to help the Union through.

Next up for the Union is a date against either New England Revolution or New York City.