Minnesota United FC Clinches Playoff Spot In 2-1 Win Over Sporting Kansas City

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP/WCCO) -- Osvaldo Alonso and Hassani Dotson each scored late in the second half and Minnesota United beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Wednesday night to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in club history.

Botond Barath opened the scoring for Sporting KC in the seventh minute on a shot five yards out from the center of the box, assisted by Johnny Russell. Alonso tied it in the 70th on a shot 11 yards out from the left side of the box, assisted by Abu Danladi.

Dotson finished off the victory in the 90th with a shot nine yards out from the center of the box, assisted by Jan Gregus.

Kansas City (10-15-7) outshot Minnesota (15-10-7) 23 to 16, but was eliminated from playoff contention.

Minnesota drew seven corner kicks, committed 13 fouls and was given one red card. Sporting KC drew six corner kicks, committed 11 fouls and was given two yellow cards.

"They've worked really hard for what they've achieved," Head Coach Adrian Heath said. "But we want to go even further than that. We don't want to just get in the playoffs. I didn't read one publication that tipped us to be in the playoffs this year in the Western Conference. It's not been a pretty evening in terms of football, but in terms of a will to find a way to win a game, I couldn't fault the players, certainly in the second half, I thought our will and our desire was magnificent."

Both teams next play Sunday. Minnesota hosts Los Angeles FC, and Sporting KC hosts Portland.

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