Story by
Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
Loons stave off playoff elimination with 3-1 win over Kansas City
- Story byPioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
- Loons stave off playoff elimination with 3-1 win over Kansas City
Minnesota United kept alive its slim MLS Cup Playoffs hopes with a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field on Wednesday.
After a damaging scoreless draw against Houston last weekend, the Loons (9-12-11, 38 points) needed a victory to ward off elimination and got a comeback against last-place Sporting (6-22-4, 22 points).
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"We would all prefer to be leading from the front, but when you look at the points that we've gained after conceding the first goal, you can never count us out of a game," head coach Cameron Knowles said. "I think the guys have showed that multiple times this year."
The Loons fell behind in 31st minute when a horrible touch from Nector Triantis went backward to Kansas City's Taylor Calheira. He took the gift and slotted a finish past Drake Callender.
Minnesota United FC forward Tomás Chancalay (8) makes a sliding tackle on Sporting Kansas City defender Emir Karić (18) in the second half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. Minnesota United FC beat Sporting Kansas City, 3-1. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United FC defender Anthony Markanich (13) heads the ball on a corner kick for the goal against Sporting Kansas City in the second half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. Minnesota United FC beat Sporting Kansas City, 3-1. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United FC head coach Cameron Knowles talks to forward Tomás Chancalay (8) in the second half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. Minnesota United FC beat Sporting Kansas City, 3-1. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) The Minnesota United FC celebrate their 3-1 over Sporting Kansas City an an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United FC defender Cherrion Valerius (52) shoves Sporting Kansas City forward Stephen Afrifa (17) off the ball in the first half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Drake Callender (12) kicks the ball against Sporting Kansas City in the first half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United FC defender Nectarios Triantis (25) steals the ball from Sporting Kansas City midfielder Kwaku Agyabeng (20) in the first half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Sporting Kansas City forward Taylor Calheira (19) celebrates his goal against Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Drake Callender (12) in the first half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Sporting Kansas City heads the ball over Minnesota United FC forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21) in the first half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United CEO Chirstina Hennington talks to fans before the start a MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United CEO Chirstina Hennington talks to fans before the start a MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Minnesota United CEO Chirstina Hennington talks to fans before the start a MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Show Caption1 of 13Minnesota United FC forward Tomás Chancalay (8) celebrates his goal against Sporting Kansas City in the second half of an MLS game against at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. Minnesota United FC beat Sporting Kansas City, 3-1. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) Expand
In the second half, Maricuio Gonzalez's apparent equalizing goal was disallowed on review after Triantis was called for a foul for hitting Emir Karic in the face in the 47th minute.
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Then in the 72nd minute, Anthony Markanich scored on a header from a corner kick from Joaquin Pereyra.
In an ironic reversal, Triantis received his own gift on a bad K.C. pass and assisted on Gonzalez's go-ahead goal in the 76th.
"As you can see, the assist in the second half, so I didn't let that (early miscue) affect me and I kept on and to the win," Triantis said.
Kelvin Yeboah's scored the insurance goal off an assist from Tomas Chancalay in the 88th minute.
