Saint Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota United Score Three Times in the Final 20 Minutes to Beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1

Minnesota United kept its playoff hopes alive on Wednesday night, scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes to beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at Allianz Field in Saint Paul.

Kansas City led for most of the night. In the 31st minute Taylor Calheira picked up a deflected pass at the top of the box and drilled a right footed shot into the bottom left corner for his fifth goal of the season. Minnesota controlled much of the play but could not turn it into a goal, and its one mistake had produced the Kansas City lead. The visitors nearly doubled the advantage in the 64th minute, when a shot by Andre Luiz from the top right side of the box hit the post.

Three goals in 16 minutes

The comeback started in the 72nd minute, when Anthony Markanich headed in a corner kick from Joaquin Pereyra for his ninth goal. Four minutes later Mauricio Gonzalez put Minnesota in front, taking a pass from Nectarios Triantis in the middle of the box, dribbling to his left and driving a left footed shot into the bottom right corner for his third goal. It was the 79th goal Kansas City has allowed this season, breaking the MLS single season record of 78 set by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2024.

Kelvin Yeboah sealed the win in the 88th minute, drilling a right footed shot from the edge of the six yard box into the left corner off an assist from Tomas Chancalay. It was Yeboah's team leading 18th goal of the season, and the club said it also made him Minnesota United's all time leading scorer across all competitions, with 40 goals. Drake Callender made two saves for Minnesota and Stefan Cleveland made five for Kansas City.

What it means

Minnesota is 9-12-11 with 38 points and is unbeaten in four matches, and the club reported that a Real Salt Lake victory earlier in the evening meant a draw on Wednesday would have been fatal to its postseason chances. The Loons play at Los Angeles FC on Sunday and still need wins in their last two matches and help elsewhere to reach the playoffs.

For Kansas City the night added to a hard finish. Sporting are 6-22-4 with 22 points, have lost four straight matches and are winless in six matches this month. FC Dallas, Columbus's opponent earlier in the evening, visits Kansas City on Saturday to close the regular season.