29.07.2020 07:43 h

Gasper nets shootout winner, Minnesota upsets Columbus

Chase Gasper scored the winner in a penalty shootout as Minnesota United beat the Columbus Crew and advanced to the quarter-finals of the MLS is Back Tournament on Tuesday.

The teams had drawn 1-1 but the Loons scored all five of their penalties with their goalkeeper Tyler Miller making the crucial lone save of the shootout at the Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida.

"This is just a culmination of the whole tournament, every guy giving their all fighting to the death. We deserved it," said Gasper, who directed a left-footed shot to the top centre of the goal to seal a 5-3 shootout victory.

Minnesota will play the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. The Quakes eliminated Real Salt Lake 5-2 in regulation on Monday.

"I think we've played our way into the tournament. And I think we've got progressively better, every game. And we had to be better tonight, we played a really good team," Minnesota coach Adrian Heath said.

Miller surprised Columbus' Chris Cadden in the third round of the shootout by diving to the right to make the save.

Osvaldo Alonso, Jan Gregus, Aaron Schoenfeld and Raheem Edwards also scored for Minnesota.

"I am proud to be on this team," Gasper said. "They scored on us late but don't count out the Loons."

Robin Lod scored in the 17th minute of the first half to give Minnesota the early advantage.

It was the first goal allowed by the Crew in the tournament as they cruised through Group E by outscoring Cincinnati, Atlanta and New York Red Bulls by a total of 7-0.

The "MLS is Back" tournament is being staged at a single location in Florida after a four-month shutdown because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The tournament champion will earn a place in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.

In the night game, the Portland Timbers became the final team to reach the quarter-finals by advancing over FC Cincinnati on penalties.

Cincinnati's Jurgen Locadia scored in the 81st minute to level the score 1-1 and take it to a shootout.

Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark made a key save on Locadia in the shootout to help the Timbers go through.