The Cup Playoffs continue this evening with a trio of decisive third matches from the Eastern Conference, including Atlanta United’s trip to Miami in search of a major upset. Here is what has gone down so far. NYCFC stunned the higher-seeded FC in a penalty shootout to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Silky attacking football was not the theme of the opening 45 minutes as both sides searched for footing in the game. The best chance of the opening interval fell to Luca Orellano, but the man’s close-range effort was denied in style by Matt Freese in the net. High quality scoring chances remained few and far between in the dying minutes of the match, seeing the affair go to penalties to decide the series.
It was the goalkeepers’ show in the penalty shootout, as the two shot-stoppers matched each other’s saves on multiple occasions before a final miss saw the hosts crash out in dramatic fashion. The result sets up an Eastern Conference semi-final showdown between New York rivals and New York Red Bulls. Orlando City vs FC Inter Miami vs Atlanta United.
