Once again it takes penalties, but Minnesota drops Seattle to advance in the playoffs

In a match that absolutely nobody expected, Minnesota United came out on top in a crazy match followed by a crazier series of penalties. Two early goals from Seattle looked to be the death knell early, but the Loons struck back before the end of the half. Then in the second half, Minnesota took absolute control to score two goals and lead before Seattle scored late and forced penalties. It took 10 rounds of penalties but the Loons came out on top thanks to Dayne St. Clair scoring and a few bangs off the post.

Coming off just four days of rest neither club made wholesale changes to their lineup. Minnesota swapped just two players with Kelvin Yeboah and Morris Duggan getting starts while Anthony Markanich and Nicolas Romero being available from the bench.

Match 🧵 | #MINvSEAIt's do or die time in St. Paul. Win and you face San Diego or Portland in the second round. Lose and the season is over. Game three kicks off in 20 minutes and here are the lineups.Two changes for #MNUFC (Yeboah to striker and Duggan to LCB) while #Sounders make no changes.

— Northland Soccer Journal (@northlandsoccer.com) 2025-11-08T20:50:06.836Z

Almost like a repeat of Monday night in Seattle, the Sounders struck fast and early at Allianz Field. Albert Rusnak scored the opener, just four minutes into the match, snapping the shot in from the left side of the box after being fed the pass from Danny Musovski. Four minutes later Seattle doubled their lead on a short corner after Jesús Ferreira sent a low cross into the box that Danny Musovski tapped in from just outside the six.

Just before the 20th minute the Loons got one back after Joaquín Pereyra sent a banger into the back of the net directly off a free kick from outside the 18 yard box.

Brilliance.Cal on the call, Joaquín on the ball, and we're within one.

— x – Minnesota United FC (@mnufc.com) 2025-11-08T21:39:47.617091Z

Following the goal, Minnesota regained their composure and began pushing Seattle and controlling the momentum, even without massively controlling the ball. The script flipped on it’s head late in the first half after Joseph Rosales was issued a straight red following a slight head bump to Jesús Ferreira, putting the Loons down a man for the last 50 minutes plus stoppage.

The second half started just like the first with domination and control coming from the side of the visitors. Eric Ramsay made his first sub about 15 minutes into the half bringing on Anthony Markanich and subbing off Kelvin Yeboah. From there magic started to happen and just three minutes later Jefferson Diaz scored his first every goal as Loon on a header whipped in from Morris Duggan.

hello, we're so back department? I'd like to file a claim

— x – Minnesota United FC (@mnufc.com) 2025-11-08T22:43:15.214739Z

Minnesota then took the lead in the 71st minute when Anthony Markanich, unmarked on the far post, headed in a corner taken by Joaquín Pereyra.

From out of the picture, to painting it.

— x – Minnesota United FC (@mnufc.com) 2025-11-08T23:04:00.103814Z

Then as seen many times before from Seattle, the Sounders scored a late goal with Jordan Morris getting a tap at just the right angle and beating Dayne St. Clair on the wide side of the goal to draw the match level. Following eight minutes of stoppage time and another few chances for Minnesota, the referee sounded the whistle sending the match to penalties. After 10 rounds of penalties, the Loons took home the win with Dayne St. Clair scoring the deciding goal to send the Loons to the Western Conference Semi-Finals.