One of the longest consecutive postseason runs in MLS is over.
Sporting Kansas City were officially eliminated from contention for the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs after a 2-1 defeat at Minnesota United on Wednesday night, marking their first failure to reach the second season since 2010.
Reaching the playoffs would've been unlikely even with a win at Allianz Arena, after which the best-case scenario for Sporting would've been to sit four points beneath the playoff line with two matches remaining.
CONSECUTIVE APPEARANCES – MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
TEAM |
SEASONS |
START |
STOP |
|---|---|---|---|
Seattle Sounders |
11 |
2009 |
current |
New York Red Bulls |
10 |
2010 |
current |
LA Galaxy |
9 |
1996 |
2005 |
<strong>Sporting Kansas City</strong> |
<strong>8</strong> |
<strong>2011</strong> |
<strong>2019</strong> |
LA Galaxy |
8 |
2009 |
2016 |
New England Revolution |
8 |
2002 |
2009 |
Although the Loons needed Hassani Dotson's 90th-minute winner to clinch their first MLS postseason berth, Sporting would've been out even with a draw.
The New York Red Bulls sealed their 10th consecutive trip to the playoffs last weekend. The Seattle Sounders ran their active streak to 11 straight postseason berths on Wednesday thanks to dropped points from other clubs.
