Alan Velasco scored the game-winning goal in a penalty shootout to give FC Dallas a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United in an MLS Cup playoff first round match on Monday in Frisco, Utah. Texas.
Minnesota’s Emanuel Reynoso and Dallas’ Facundo Quignon traded goals in the second half, and the stalemate continued through regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time.
FC Dallas scored on all five attempts in the shootout, while Dallas keeper Maarten Paes stopped Wil Trapp’s chance for Minnesota’s only missed kick. Trapp was the second taker for the Loons in the climactic showdown.
Third-seeded FC Dallas will advance to the Western Conference semifinals, where they will meet second-seeded Austin FC on Sunday.
– MLS Cup playoffs: schedule, results, final date, more
– Stream on ESPN+: MLS playoffs and more (US)
FC Dallas had 60% possession in the game and edged Minnesota United 19-7 (9-3 on penalties). However, the Loons held firm under the pressure, with goaltender Dayne St. Clair making eight saves.
Paes was credited with two saves.
Minnesota United broke through in the 53rd minute, when Trapp sent a long down pass that found Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Amid three Dallas defenders, Hlongwane did a terrific job of both retaining possession and finding space to maneuver.
The result was an assist for Reynoso, who buried the go-ahead goal opportunity. Reynoso scored a team-leading 10 goals for Minnesota United during the regular season.
Quignon equalized in the 64th minute. On a corner, the midfielder was in a position to send a deflected ball into the net for his second goal in two seasons with FC Dallas.
Jesus Ferreira and Sebastian Lletget had the chance to seal the match for FC Dallas in the 110th minute. Ferreira put a bad touch on a big chance in front, and Lletget almost saved the game with a back heel strike. St. Clair had to dive to make the save, and he barely kept the ball from crossing the line completely.
It was Dallas’ first playoff win since the 2020 MLS Cup Qualifiers, when FC Dallas also had to go on penalties for a first-round win over the Portland Timbers.
Minnesota United still hasn’t won a postseason game since 2020, when it fell in the Western Conference Finals.