MLS is Back Tournament: Minnesota, Timbers win last-16 shoot-outs

Minnesota United prevailed 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out against Columbus Crew to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the MLS is Back Tournament, while Portland Timbers also survived spot-kicks.

Penalties were needed following a 1-1 draw after the Crew’s Gyasi Zardes struck 11 minutes from the end to cancel out Robin Lod’s 18th-minute opener in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday.

Minnesota emerged triumphant on spot-kicks, converting all five of their attempts after Tyler Miller saved Chris Cadden’s penalty.

San Jose Earthquakes await Minnesota in Friday’s quarter-final showdown at Walt Disney World Resort.

Turn up the Highlights in here, baby

Extra bright, I want y’all to see this pic.twitter.com/L4BnccMKld

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 29, 2020

In Tuesday’s other last-16 fixture, the Timbers were 4-2 winners on penalties against Jaap Stam’s FC Cincinnati.

Jaroslaw Niezgoda broke the deadlock for the Timbers when he coolly found the back of the net from inside the six-yard box after team-mate Sebastian Blanco was left unmarked before sliding a pass to the Polish forward.

But Cincinnati restored parity after Jurgen Locadia converted an 81st-minute penalty to force a shoot-out.

Jaroslaw Niezgoda sends @TimbersFC to the Quarterfinals!#RCTID will take on @NYCFC. #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/GgazNieZ1O

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 29, 2020

Portland, though, were not to be denied as Niezgoda scored the decisive penalty after Cincinnati’s Kendall Waston missed and Locadia had his attempt saved.

The Timbers will go head-to-head with New York City for a place in the semi-finals on Friday.