MLS Review: Late goal from Valdez sees Sounders through, Impact rout DC

Nelson Valdez came off the bench to lift Seattle Sounders to a dramatic 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in Thursday’s MLS Western Conference knockout fixture.

Scores were deadlocked at 0-0 in Seattle until Valdez sparked pandemonium in the stands with his 88rd-minute header.

Valdez met Joevin Jones’ cross, albeit contentiously as replays suggest a tight offside call, to net the winner – with the Paraguayan having gone 26 MLS matches without a goal.

Finally.@SoundersFC grab a late go ahead goal. #SEAvSKC https://t.co/eleFoRx9eX

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 28, 2016

The Sounders will now take on Supporters’ Shield champions FC Dallas in the Western Conference semi-finals.

Didier Drogba was once again a notable absentee but Montreal Impact still surged past DC United 4-2 in their Eastern Conference elimination clash.

Yet to play since refusing to sit among the substitutes for Montreal’s penultimate regular-season clash and battling a back problem, former Chelsea striker Drogba was nowhere to be seen in Washington.

However, it mattered little as the Impact crushed hosts DC in the American capital.

First-half goals from Laurent Ciman and Matteo Mancosu silenced the home faithful, before the latter and Ignacio Piatti put the result beyond doubt.

#DCU got two back, but not before Nacho added a fourth for @impactmontreal. #DCvMTL #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/dMyT7Rh0Jq

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 28, 2016

Lamar Neagle and Taylor Kemp salvaged some pride for DC – who finished a point above Montreal in the regular season – in stoppage time but there was no denying the Impact a semi-final showdown with New York Red Bulls.