The Columbus Crew came from two goals down to put an end to Inter Miami's Leagues Cup defence, winning 3-2 at the Lower.com Field on Wednesday.
Matias Rojas and Diego Gomez had given the visitors a comfortable lead just beyond the hour-mark, only for Christian Ramirez's strike to spark an unlikely turnaround.
Diego Rossi netted twice in 11 second half minutes to confirm the win as Wilfried Nancy's side advanced to the quarter-finals where they will face New York City FC.
Despite still being without Lionel Messi, Miami started brightly and were rewarded for their fast start when Rojas headed past Nicholas Hagen in the 10th minute.
Columbus finished the opening 45 the better side, but found themselves two goals down after the break as Gomez curled home their second following Luis Suarez's pass.
But Nancy's side would respond five minutes later as Max Arfsten's teasing delivery was powerfully headed home by Ramirez inside the penalty area.
The hosts found themselves level moments later when Cucho Hernandez's cross to the back post picked out Rossi to finish beyond Drake Callender.
Rossi grabbed his 15th goal of the season 10 minutes from time, finishing from a tight angle following a clever pass by Mohamed Farsi to confirm the triumph.
"Today, even after a defeat, we will continue trying to achieve some title in the local league, which is what remains," Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said.
"But I cannot accept that all this is measured based on whether you won or lost, I accept it because they are the rules of the game."
Data Debrief: Rossi brace continues Crew's sensational home form
Columbus continued their fine home form under Nancy and are now unbeaten in their last seven games on home soil in all competitions (W6 D1).
Rossi was the standout for the Crew, contributing 0.88 expected goals (xG) to Columbus' 1.79 total at the conclusion of the thrilling encounter.
Miami failed to make their opportunities in front of goal count, only managing three shots on target from the 12 they attempted while also missing five big chances.
New York Red Bulls v Atlanta United: Schwarz seeking change in behaviour
Sandro Schwarz says the New York Red Bulls must change their behaviour amid a disappointing return to MLS action, ahead of Saturday's clash with Atlanta United.
The Red Bulls have not won since MLS returned following the Leagues Cup break, with Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire extending their winless streak to four games.
They have now slipped to fifth in the Eastern Conference and though a playoff berth still looks overwhelmingly likely, the pressure is on as they battle for a home seeding.
"Pressure is normal in professional sports, especially when you lose games like we did, or like the home game against Philly," Schwarz said.
"But we can influence this with our behaviour on the field and off the field, and it starts today.
"We have to change our behaviour immediately now for the last five games and the pressure is normal. It's also normal to have pressure when you win, for the game after."
Atlanta, meanwhile, are one point outside the playoff picture, having earned a creditable 2-2 draw with Inter Miami in midweek.
"From a tactical point of view maybe it's not the type of soccer we want to play, but in terms of work rate and a commitment to try to win the game, it gets you far. You can't just turn it on or turn it off, it doesn't work that way," interim boss Rob Valentino said.
On the playoff battle, he added: "I think we were one point out of it so I can't sit here and think about being disappointed.
"We move forward, now we're going to have to pick up points on the road."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir
Vanzeir recorded his 12th goal involvement of the season as the Red Bulls were beaten in Chicago last time out, teeing up Dennis Gjengaar's equaliser.
His 10 assists in MLS play this term are more than twice that of the next-closest Red Bulls players, with Elias Manoel, Lewis Morgan and Dylan Nealis all having four apiece.
Atlanta United – Aleksey Miranchuk
Miranchuk's late goal salvaged a draw for Atlanta versus Miami last time out, his first MLS goal in his fourth appearance in the competition. If the Five Stripes are to gatecrash the playoffs, they need him to produce in the coming weeks.
MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
The Red Bulls trounced Atlanta 4-0 at Red Bull Arena when the sides met in this exact fixture last season, and while Atlanta should be more competitive this time around, another home win looks likely.
Saturday's hosts have only lost one of their 14 home matches in MLS play this year, winning seven and drawing six.
Atlanta, meanwhile, have lost half (7/14) of their road games, and have only won one of their last six matches in all competitions (three draws, two defeats).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York Red Bulls – 51.8%
Atlanta United – 23.7%
Draw – 24.6%
Charlotte FC v New England Revolution: Smith demands attacking improvements
Dean Smith knows Charlotte FC must start producing in the final third if they are to cling onto an MLS Cup Playoff spot, starting with Saturday's meeting with the New England Revolution.
Charlotte sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, boasting a five-point cushion to those outside the playoff places, but they have struggled since the Leagues Cup break.
Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Orlando City was their third loss in succession, and they have only scored twice in four games since returning to MLS play, leaving Smith frustrated.
"At the moment we're having to work really hard to stay in a game, because we're not creating enough big chances, we're not scoring enough goals full stop," Smith said.
"So I was really frustrated. As I say, that's something that's probably crept in over the last four games since we came back from the break.
"We've only scored two goals in the last four games since the Leagues Cup and I feel some of the players are struggling to find their form and their confidence at the moment.
"At this point of the season, that little bit of a lack of concentration has been disappointing."
New England, meanwhile, threw away a 2-0 lead in their 2-2 midweek draw with CF Montreal, a result that leaves them five points adrift of the playoff picture at the foot of the Eastern Conference.
"It's another disappointing result. That's six points we've dropped in our last three home games," Porter said. "We could have been in a much different situation.
"We've got to pick ourselves back up and continue to look at the good, but as I told the guys, I'm tired of seeing them fall off in the second halves."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang
With the hosts struggling for goals, they may need Agyemang to step up. He started on the bench last time out and has appeared as a substitute eight times this season, yet his seven goals are still more than any of his team-mates.
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Gil laid on an assist as the Revs drew with Montreal last time out, his 10th in 22 appearances this season – more than any other Revs player.
MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN
Charlotte are winless in their last six regular-season matches, registering three straight draws then being defeated in each of their last three, having won four of their previous six before this run began.
New England have not fared much better of late, though, going four league games without a win (two draws, two defeats) and only winning one of their last nine (three draws, five losses).
No team in the Eastern Conference has lost more away games than the Revs' nine this term, so this match could come at a good time for Charlotte.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Charlotte FC – 51.5%
New England Revolution – 23.8%
Draw – 24.7%
Defending champs Clarendon College move to three from three with 6-0 win over Thompson Town
Clarendon College continued their quest to defend their ISSA/DaCosta Cup title with a 6-0 victory over Thompson Town High at Foga Road High on Wednesday.
Justin Hayles and Keanu Jennings both scored doubles to help the defending champs move to a perfect nine points from as many games to lead Zone H.
Denbigh High moved up into second place in Zone H after their 5-1 win over Edwin Allen High at Edwin Allen.
Three other schools also got their third win as Ocho Rios High, William Knibb Memorial and Manchester High secured victories over Aabuthnott Gallimore, Discovery Bay High and deCarteret College, respectively.
Ocho Rios High improved their advantage in Zone K after a 4-0 win over Aabuthnott Gallimore High with Tyrese Brown scoring a hat trick and Ryan Francis getting the other.
Ocho Rios High are now on nine points after a third straight win, four more than second place Ferncourt High.
William Knibb Memorial managed a 1-0 win over Discovery Bay High for their third win in Zone D while Michael Reid and Javis Lloyd scored for Manchester High in their 2-1 win over deCarteret College.
Tyrese Gowe and Raheem Harris both scored doubles to lead Dinthill Technical to a 6-0 win over Charlemont High as Gaybriel Anderson and Giovanni Afflick also got one goal each.
This was the second win for Dinthill Technical who now lead Zone J on goal difference over McGrath High.
At Jarrett Park, St James High rallied twice to earn an exciting 3-3 draw against Green Pond High in Zone A.
Green Pond got off to a fast start and were leading 2-0 with goals from Garth-Dane Bromwell in the seventh minute and Jerome Whynn in the 16th minute.
St James hit back with goals from Kevar Stewart in the 36th minute and Rory Smith in the 43rd minute as they were tied at 2-2 at half time.
Bromwell restored Green Pond High’s lead in the 46th minute but St James salvaged a point when Tariq Kerr scored in the 77th minute.
Garvey Maceo rebounded from their loss to Glenmuir High on Saturday with a 12-1 beating of Porus High with Omarion O’Brian and Rajay McLaughlin both leading the way with hat tricks while Maliek Robinson scored a brace.
Other results
Maggoty High 2-0 Lacovia High
Mile Gully High 0-2 Alphansus Davis High
Holmwood Technical 3-1 Knox College
Claude McKay High 0-3 Lennon High
Yallahs High 0-2 Morant Bay High
Robert Lightbourne High 1-3 Paul Bogle High
Seaforth High 0-4 Happy Grove High
Titchfield High 2-1 St. Mary High
Horace Clarke High 1-4 Port Antonio High
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
