Minnesota beat SKC late, clinch playoff spot

Midfielder Hassani Dotson scored in the 90th minute to put Minnesota United into the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night at Saint Paul, Minn.

Dotson's close-range shot deflected off the side of Sporting K.C. defender Botond Barath and past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Tim Melia.

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Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso scored the tying goal in the 70th minute as Minnesota United rallied for the victory to land a playoff spot for the first time in their three-year MLS history.

"We somehow found a way tonight. It wasn't pretty at times," Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath said in a postmatch television interview. "We still have a lot of work ahead of us."

Minnesota United (15-10-7, 52 points) moved into second place in the Western Conference with the victory. Sporting Kansas City (10-15-7, 37 points) lost their fourth straight match and were eliminated after making the playoffs in each of the previous eight seasons.

Barath scored his first career MLS goal for Sporting K.C., with forward Johnny Russell notching an assist on the seventh-minute tally. Melia recorded six saves.

Minnesota United goalkeeper Vito Mannone had seven saves. Sporting K,C, took 23 shots but placed only eight on target. The Loons put seven of 16 shots on net.

Minnesota United tied the score at 1-1 in the 70th minute when midfielder Jan Gregus sent a corner kick toward the box. Forward Abu Danladi flicked the ball with his head over to Alonso, who booted the right-footed shot past Melia.

Russell set up the SKC goal with a cross into the box. Barath positioned himself in front of the net and deflected the ball into the goal with his upper right leg.

Sporting Kansas City failed to cash in on some good opportunities to increase their lead.

Forward Erik Hurtado was wide open in front and knocked the ball to the right of the goal in the 22nd minute. Russell sent a left-footed liner over the net in the 39th minute, and midfielder Gianluca Busio booted the ball off the far right of the crossbar in the 47th minute.

Russell had another chance in the 64th minute, but Mannone made the save on the close-range left-footed shot.

The failures were magnified when Alonso scored to tie the match and even further with Dotson's decisive tally.