This Saturday, December 4, the final of the MLS Western Conference will take place, between Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake. How is it defined in the event of a tie?
The defining moment in MLS is getting closer and closer. Of the 27 teams that started the 2021 season, only four remain . However, on Sunday the two who will seek next week to be the new champion of the North American league will be defined.
On Saturday, December 4, Portland Timbers will want to take advantage of the home field when they have to face what has been the great surprise of the season, the Real Salt Lake team . The duel that will be played at Providence Park will have a great Latin flavor, including on the bench with Giovanni Savarese (Venezuela) and Pablo Mastroeni (Argentina).
On Sunday, December 5, the final of the Eastern Conference will be played. The Philadelphia Union left Nashville SC on the road after winning on penalties and now will have to face New York City , who surprised by eliminating the New England Revolution.
All four teams have earned their right to contest the Conference finals, and there is no guarantee that there will be no parity. For this reason, we will tell you what happens if one of the two games ends tied after 90 minutes.
One more day till the Conference Finals! 😤 pic.twitter.com/U2dvQhli75
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 3, 2021
How is it defined in the event of a tie?
Unlike 2018, in which the MLS was defined as a round-trip match since the conference semifinals, from 2019 everything began to be done just one match, which is played in the stadium of the team that was better placed. . This year it will be in Portland (fourth in the West) and in Philadelphia (second in the East).
If after 90 minutes the game continues even, then it will be defined first with two extra times, each of fifteen minutes . In case of maintaining parity, then we would define the winner up to penalties.
During the 2021 Playoffs, four games have gone into overtime. Three duels ended up to penalties. The only match that was defined during overtime was the Philadelphia Union against the New York Red Bulls with a goal from Jakob Glesnes in the 120th minute.
Matches defined on penalties
Seattle Sounders 0 (5) -0 (6) Real Salt Lake First Round, Western Conference
Philadelphia Union 1 (2) -1 (0) Nashville SC Semifinals, Eastern Conference
New England Revolution 2 (3) – 2 (New York City FC) Semifinals, Eastern Conference