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Atlanta United Forces Game 3 Against Inter Miami Thanks to Xande Silva’s Late Goal (Video)
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Atlanta United Forces Game 3 Against Inter Miami Thanks to Xande Silva’s Late Goal (Video)

With the MLS playoffs well underway, the first round has some juice. On Saturday, ninth-seeded Atlanta United pulled off a stunning upset of number one Inter Miami to force a deciding match for the three-match series. Atlanta took a 2-1 lead thanks to a magnificent goal from striker Xande Silva deep into stoppage time.

After a first-half goal from Miami central defender David Martínez, Atlanta equalized in the 58th minute with a goal from defender Derrick Williams. Then, in the 94th minute, Silva played the hero, sending the ball into the back of the net and forcing a third game.

Atlanta started the playoffs with defeat Montreal in the wild card round. Atlanta lost Game 1 to Miami 2-1, before turning things around for Game 2.

Both teams will now return to Miami for the third match, with Inter Miami having a chance to resist the upset at home.

Of the five matchups that went to a Game 2, three forced a Game 3. On Friday, Charlotte beat Orlando City on penalties to even the series, while New York City FC earned a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati FC to bring the series to 1-1.

This is partly due to first round playoff formatwhich has a home-away structure for the three-match series. All the teams that have forced a Game 3 are lower-ranked teams that won at home. Matches also progress directly to penalties in the event of a tie; so far, four of the first round matches have been decided on penalties.

The LA Galaxy and Minnesota United are the only two teams to finish the series so far. The Galaxy, seeded second in the West, swept the Colorado Rapids with a dominant 4-1 victory Friday to secure a spot in the conference semifinals.

Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Minnesota became the first lower-seeded team to upset the series, beating No. 3 Real Salt Lake in the second game after a second penalty shootout. Minnesota goaltender Dayne St. Clair made two big PK saves in the 3-1 shootout victory.

There are three matchups left for Game 2, with all three games taking place on Sunday: the New York Red Bulls host defending champions Columbus Crew, the Houston Dynamo host the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver hosts top-seeded LAFC. The Red Bulls, who are the only team besides Minnesota to topple the top seed, have a chance to clinch their own semifinal berth.