Damir Kreilach had two goals and Jefferson Savarino helped create the second-half winner on a deflected goal as visiting Real Salt Lake upset LAFC 3-2 in the Western Conference Knockout Round match at Banc of California Stadium on Thursday night.
RSL, the No. 6 seed, hosts top seed Sporting Kansas City on Sunday in the first of two games in the conference semifinal series.
Savarino sparked the game-winning goal in helping snap the 2-2 tie in the 69th minute after RSL rallied from down a goal.
RSL qualified for the final spot on the final day of the regular season when the place-holder Los Angeles Galaxy lost to Houston.
Danilo Silva and Christian Ramirez had goals for LAFC. The expansion club and No. 3 seed was in its first ever playoff match.
The game was delayed for five minutes after LAFC tied it 1-1 in the 31st minute because fans threw objects at the RSL players in front of the supporters’ section. There had been a brief delay before the score when Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando was pelted.
RSL took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when Kreilach finished a service from the right corner by Brooks Lennon. Kreilach chested the ball and scored from 12 yards out.
Silva equalized with a header from 8 yards off the free kick cross by Carlos Vela.
Ramirez gave LAFC the lead in the 54th. He took an entry pass from Lee Nguyen, turned toward the goal and fired from distance.
It took Kreilach four minutes to level the score at 2 with a standing half-volley from outside the box after a poor clearance.
Jefferson Savarino put RSL ahead 3-2 after LAFC broke down on a counterattack. Savarino’s shot from the right side was deflected off the head of Los Angeles defender Walker Zimmerman for a decisive own goal.
LAFC lost despite outshooting RSL 21-4 for the match.