Minnesota United Advances Past Seattle in 7-6 Shootout

Minnesota United advanced to the Western Conference semifinals of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs with a dramatic 3-3 draw followed by a 7-6 victory in a penalty shootout against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. The win in Game 3 of the best-of-three first-round series capped a roller-coaster matchup marked by six goals, a red card and multiple comebacks, sending the Loons through for just the third time in franchise history.

The series had been tightly contested from the start. Minnesota opened with a 3-2 shootout win after a 0-0 draw in Game 1 at home. Seattle responded forcefully in Game 2, securing a 4-2 victory at Lumen Field with goals from Obed Vargas, Jordan Morris, Danny Musovski and another from Vargas, forcing the decisive third game back in St. Paul.

Game 3 began with Seattle striking quickly. Albert Rusnák opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a precise finish, followed by Musovski's header in the eighth minute to give the Sounders a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. Minnesota fought back through Joaquín Pereyra's curling free kick in the 19th minute, cutting the deficit to one. The Loons' momentum shifted dramatically in...