MLS Cup Playoffs

 Several MLS Cup Playoff games were contested over the weekend.

Saturday games:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Illinois:

Tai Baribo scored twice (8', 16') as the Philadelphia Union blanked the homestanding Chicago Fire 3-0 in the second game of a best-of-three conference quarterfinal series and doused the Fire in two straight games.

The Union will host a single-game Eastern Conference semifinal match on November 22 or 23.

At Geodis Park, Nashville:

Sam Surridge (PK-9') and Joshua Bauer (45') each scored once as Nashville SC held off visiting Inter Miami 2-1 to even their best-of-three conference quarterfinal series at a game apiece.

This series will be decided this coming Sunday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale (Apple TV).

At Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, New York City:

After a scoreless regulation, and with overtime dispensed with, Archie Goodwin, Idan Toklomati, Harry Toffolo, Dazet Zaha, Adilson Malanda, Djibril Diani, Nathan Byrne each converted a spot kick as Charlotte FC outlasted homestanding New York City 7-6 in the penalty-kick shootout to square their conference best-of-three quarterfinal series at one game apiece.

This series will be decided this coming Friday at Charlotte's Bank of America stadium (4:00 PM PST, Apple TV).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Providence Park, Portland, Oregon:

After a 2-2 regulation draw, and with overtime dispensed with, Felipe Mora, Kristoffer Velde (who scored in regulation in the 18th minute), and Antony each converted a spot kick as the Portland Timbers squared their conference best-of-three quarterfinal series at a game apiece after defeating visiting San Diego FC 3-2 in the penalty-kick shootout.

The Timbers' Gage Guerra made the shootout possible with his equalizing goal in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.

This series will be decided next Sunday at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium (Apple TV/KXTG Radio, 750 AM, Portland).

At Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas:

After a 1-1 regulation draw, and with overtime dispensed with, Thomas Muller, Sebastian Berhalter, Kenji Cabrera, and Belai Halbouni each converted a spot kick in the shootout, which the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated homestanding FC Dallas 4-2 and won their best-of-three conference quarterfinal series in two games.

Ralph Priso's equalizer for the Whitecaps in the third minute of second-half stoppage time make the winning PK shootout possible.

The Whitecaps will host the Western Conference semifinal match against the Los Angeles Football Club at Vancouver's BC Place on Saturday, November 22 (Apple TV).

Sunday's Games:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio:

Maximilian Arfsten (33'), Dylan Chambost (41'), Marcelo Herrera (65'), Jacen Russell-Rowe (69') each scored once as the Columbus Crew made mince meat of visiting FC Cincinnati 4-0 to square their best-of-three conference quarterfinal series at a game apiece.

This series will be decided at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium on Saturday (Apple TV).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas:

Denis Bouanga scored twice (25', 44') as the Los Angeles Football Club manhandled homestanding Austin FC 4-1 and won their best-of-three conference quarterfinal series in two straight games.

LAFC, as mentioned earlier, will visit BC Place for their conference semifinal with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, November 22 (Apple TV).