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The MLS Cup Playoffs continue this evening with as Charlotte hosted Orlando City, and Colorado took on the Galaxy in the second game of their respective series.
Here is what went down.
Colorado Rapids 1-4 LA Galaxy
Scorers: Larraz 19′ ; Pec 8′, Painstil 45+3′, Puig 90+1′, 90+4′
The Galaxy truly announced themselves as contenders with a 4-1 win in Colorado to sweep away the Rapids in two games.
It was the worst possible start for Colorado when a failed Zack Steffen clearance deflected into the Rapids net off of Gabriel Pec, but his blushes were spared just 11 minutes later.
After the ball fell to Oliver Larraz, the hometown kid laced a shot into the top corner to pull the home side level in style, and reopened the tie.
Larraz’s hard work was undone before the break however, as Joseph Paintsil curled a beauty of a shot into the bottom corner with nearly the last kick off the first-half.
Unfortunately for the hosts however, the drama came to a screeching halt at half-time, and despite some late pushing, the Galaxy held on with relative comfort thanks to two Riqui Puig goals in stoppage time, booking their ticket to the second round in style.
Charlotte 0-0 Orlando City (Charlotte win on penalties)
Kristijan Kahlina was the hero in the penalty shootout, making two huge saves as Charlotte forced a third game in the series after spot-kicks.
The onus was on Charlotte to draw level in the series after defeat in Orlando last week, and they were on the front-foot from the first whistle.
While they had the lion’s share of scoring chances, they were undone by some heroic defending, and superb goalkeeping from Pedro Gallese.
Facundo Torres appeared to win it for Orlando in the fifth minute of stoppage time when he found the back of the net amid stunned silence around Bank of America Stadium, but the linesman’s flag spared Charlotte’s blushes just before the affair went to penalties.
After misses from Nico Lodeiro and Robin Jansson, Charlotte took their spot-kicks with aplomb, and forced a third and decisive game in Orlando.
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images