FC Cincinnati eliminates New York Red Bulls; Kansas City, Minnesota, Salt Lake advance at MLS tournament
Cincinnati picked up one of the biggest wins in its young franchise history, securing a spot in the knockout round of the tournament by beating the Red Bulls for the first time
FC Cincinnati 2, New York Red Bulls 0
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Yuya Kubo scored off a defensive mistake just before halftime, and FC Cincinnati added a second-half own goal on its way to a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS is Back tournament on Wednesday night.
Cincinnati picked up one of the biggest wins in its young franchise history, securing a spot in the knockout round of the tournament by beating the Red Bulls for the first time in four league matchups.
Cincinnati (2-3-0) started the tournament with an ugly 4-0 loss to in-state rival Columbus, but rebounded with a 1-0 win over Atlanta United before dispatching New York.
Kubo's goal came in the 43rd minute after New York had controlled most of the first half. A hustle play by Andrew Gutman led to a defensive miscue from New York's Amro Tarek. Kubo was in the right spot to pounce on Tarek's mistake and his shot beat New York goalkeeper David Jensen.
Cincinnati doubled its lead early in the second half when a corner kick by Haris Medunjanin was deflected by New York's Florian Valot and past Jensen.
The two-goal loss put the Red Bulls likely on the outside of advancing as one of the top four third-place finishers. New York (2-2-1) will need major stumbles by Chicago and Houston in Thursday's final day of the group stage to have a chance of moving on.
Cincinnati goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton made several key saves late in the second half, including Aaron Long's attempt in the 81st minute and Sean Davis' shot off a corner kick moments later.
Tyton made four saves. The Red Bulls outshot Cincinnati 19-4 but only four New York shots were on target.
Minnesota United 2, Colorado Rapids 2
Ethan Finlay scored a pair of first-half goals for Minnesota United, but Jonathan Lewis’ third goal of the season early in the second half gave the Colorado Rapids a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night in the MLS is Back tournament.
The draw locked up second place in Group D for Minnesota, which had already clinched a spot in the knockout round of the tournament. The Loons (4-0-1) remained unbeaten on the season and will next play Columbus in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Colorado (2-2-1) had previously been eliminated after losing its first two matches of the tournament. But the Rapids didn't back down in their final match in Florida.
Colorado took the early advantage on Kei Kamara's 128th career MLS goal in the 19th minute. The Rapids quickly countered on a turnover in midfield and Kamara — fifth on the league's all-time goals list — finished the break.
But Finlay had the Loons back in front by halftime, with a clever redirection off a free kick in the 36th minute and finishing Romain Metanire's pass just before halftime for a 2-1 lead.
Lewis became Colorado's super sub during the tournament. He scored in the 84th minute against Sporting Kansas City after coming on as a sub, and did it again against Minnesota. In the scramble off a free kick, Lewis' half-volley beat Minnesota goalkeeper Tyler Miller to pull Colorado even.
Minnesota had several scoring chances late, but Colorado's William Yarbrough made a number of key saves. He finished with six in the match.
Sporting Kansas City 2, Real Salt Lake 0
Johnny Russell scored in the first minute, Gerso Fernandes added an insurance goal in the closing minutes and Sporting Kansas City secured its spot in the knockout round of the MLS is Back tournament with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.
Kansas City (4-1-0) finished with six points after two wins in the group stage to secure a spot in the round of 16. Kansas City will finish either first or second in Group D depending on the outcome of Minnesota United's match against Colorado late Wednesday.
Russell's goal was the fifth in Kansas City history scored in the opening minute of the match and the first since 2013. He found himself on the end of a scramble in the penalty area and his right-footed shot beat Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath. It was the first goal allowed by Salt Lake in the tournament.
Even after the early goal, Kansas City struggled to create many chances until Fernandes found space inside the penalty area in the 86th minute. Alan Pulido, who assisted on both goals, found Fernandes out wide, and his quick cut inside and left-footed shot curled past MacMath and inside the far post.
It was the first goal of the season for both Russell and Fernandes, and just the third win for Kansas City in the past 15 matches against Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake (1-1-3) managed just one shot on target but will still advance to the knockout stage of the tournament as one of the top four third-place finishers. Salt Lake opened the tournament with a win over Colorado and a draw against Minnesota.