MLS Review: Late goal from Valdez sees Sounders through, Impact rout DC
Paraguayan forward Nelson Valdez broke the deadlock in the 88th minute, while Montreal Impact scored four against DC United.
Nelson Valdez came off the bench to lift Seattle Sounders to a dramatic 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in Thursday's MLS Western Conference knockout fixture.
Scores were deadlocked at 0-0 in Seattle until Valdez sparked pandemonium in the stands with his 88rd-minute header.
Valdez met Joevin Jones' cross, albeit contentiously as replays suggest a tight offside call, to net the winner - with the Paraguayan having gone 26 MLS matches without a goal.
Finally. grab a late go ahead goal. October 28, 2016
The Sounders will now take on Supporters' Shield champions FC Dallas in the Western Conference semi-finals.
Didier Drogba was once again a notable absentee but Montreal Impact still surged past DC United 4-2 in their Eastern Conference elimination clash.
Yet to play since refusing to sit among the substitutes for Montreal's penultimate regular-season clash and battling a back problem, former Chelsea striker Drogba was nowhere to be seen in Washington.
However, it mattered little as the Impact crushed hosts DC in the American capital.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
First-half goals from Laurent Ciman and Matteo Mancosu silenced the home faithful, before the latter and Ignacio Piatti put the result beyond doubt.
got two back, but not before Nacho added a fourth for . October 28, 2016
Lamar Neagle and Taylor Kemp salvaged some pride for DC - who finished a point above Montreal in the regular season - in stoppage time but there was no denying the Impact a semi-final showdown with New York Red Bulls.
‘England have the players to win the World Cup – it’ll be tough for Thomas Tuchel to do a bad job, with the squad he has at his disposal’ Former Three Lions winger backs new boss after gentle qualifying draw
‘This is the hardest Manchester derby to call in years – Manchester United shouldn’t be petrified, it feels like Manchester City aren’t in control of any game at the moment’ Former Red Devils striker thinks a surprise result could be possible