Jefferson Diaz scores the deciding goal in a shootout as Minnesota beats Real Salt Lake.

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Jefferson Diaz scored the deciding goal in a 5-4 shootout after Minnesota and Real Salt Lake played to a scoreless draw in regulation and United beat RSL in the first game of the best-of-three series on Tuesday night.

This marked Minnesota’s first MLS Cup playoff victory via penalty shootout in club history. United can book their place in the Western Conference semi-finals with another win over RSL on Saturday.

In the sixth, Diaz sent RSL goalkeeper Zac McMath the wrong way and then Brian Ojeda deflected his shot off the crossbar.

Minnesota goaltender Dane St. Clair secured his eighth clean sheet of the season.

McMath dived to his left to deny Minnesota defender Michael Boxall a third-round penalty, but RSL defender Justen Glad followed with a shot that sailed over the crossbar to keep the score at 2.

McMath got it right in the fourth round, but Jung Sang-bin’s shot hit him in the net.

The last home loss in the RSL playoffs came in 2019 against Seattle.

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