When the idea for this article started, I originally said that I’d rank the Loons’ Game 3 win in the context of the greatest playoff games in all of league history. I’m so ambitious, aren’t I? What I quickly discovered was, while I am a real MLS fan through and through, I have neither the memory bank nor the patience for such an endeavor. But, you’re in luck! What I do have is sufficient excuses to twist the idea enough to still write something that’ll let you relive that special series win over Seattle without forcing me to do hours of research. In the end, we both win.
So, excuses first, then we’ll rank the best comeback victories of each of the last five MLS Cup playoffs.
Excuse one: I am, in fact, younger than this league, despite the fact that my writing makes me sound like a middle-aged man about to enter his twilight years. Excuse two: Though my memory is top-notch (ish), it’s crammed with useless things like random calculus lessons where I could have stored more MLS memories. Final excuse: who cares about a comeback from the early 2000s anymore? They didn’t even take PKs the right way back then.
Let’s get ranking.
Back Like We Never Left
I’ve tried to spread the love in this ranking, leaving (most) of my biases at the door. From conference finals to Game 3 whirlwinds, we’ve got a little bit of everything from all over the league to enjoy here. Let’s hit the road: Memory Lane awaits.
2021 - Eastern Conference Final:
Philadelphia Union 1 - 2 NYCFC
The 2021 playoffs were awfully low-scoring. That, combined with the First Round exit of the Loons, made for the most boring postseason of all time (in my opinion, of course). But I must forge on, no matter how difficult my job gets; I’m a trooper, after all.
We’ll give this one to the 2021 MLS Cup champions, I suppose. They scored on themselves in the 63rd minute, doing Philly’s work for them. Club legend Maxi Moralez proceeded to score at the other end just two minutes later, and once-upon-a-wunderkind Talles Magno grabbed the winner in the 88th minute to seal the deal in the Union’s backyard. Did they manufacture the need for a comeback themselves? Yes. Does that make it any less impressive? Perhaps a smidge, but hey, if the opponent won’t make things exciting, you might as well do it yourself. Good on you, Pigeon-people.
2022 - First Round:
Austin FC 2 (3) - 2 (1) Real Salt Lake
A proper comeback! And both teams scored their own goals this time. Let’s set the scene: A raucous Q2 Stadium is packed following an impressive regular-season from Austin FC, and Sebastian Driussi magic has enchanted the El Tree faithful — along with fans across the league. This is the year of destiny! McConaughey’s men in green are going all the way!
Oh, shoot: Sergio Córdova scored in the third minute? Well, that dampens the mood a bit, but lots of soccer to play! What? The same guy scored a PK in the 15th minute? Awfully quiet in Q2 at the quarter-hour mark. Time for the magic man — and no, I’m not referring to Cal Naughton Jr. Shake ‘n Bake.
With his team in need of a lifeline, Driussi stepped up in the 30th minute, heading home a crossed ball to stop the bleeding and revive the crowd. Things got fiery from there, with the visitors earning a red card early in the second half. Los Verdes began target practice promptly, painting the edges of the goal and giving RSL all they could handle. No breakthrough came, but in their desperation, RSL gave up a late PK, giving Driussi the chance to level the score and send the match to extra time.
El Tree wins the shootout 3-1: comeback complete.
2023 - Eastern Conference Final:
FC Cincinnati 2 - 3 Columbus Crew
I’m not biased, people; this was a comeback for the ages. A derby match, a conference final, and better yet, Columbus is involved? Sign me up. I’ll rewatch it every single day. INJECT IT STRAIGHT INTO MY VEINS.
On their way to lifting their third MLS Cup, the Crew came up against their in-state rivals, and it started horribly. Brandon Vázquez and Lucho Acosta were at the peak of their powers, and it showed. Just 14 minutes in, Vázquez put Cincy up, with Acosta adding the “dagger” just before the halftime whistle to put one Orange and Blue foot in the MLS Cup Final.
Or so he thought.
Alvas Powell very cordially got the comeback started for the Black and Yellow in the 75th, shepherding a Columbus cross into his own net in the 75th minute. Diego Rossi leveled it up in dramatic fashion in the 86th, sending the match to extra time. Rather than rely on penalties, Loons legend Christian Ramirez stepped up in the 115th minute, proving that Ohio is Black and Yellow and sending the visiting Crew through to the final.
2024 - Round One, Game 3:
Inter Miami 2 - 3 Atlanta United
I’ll try to be as elegant as possible here — don’t want to upset anyone. After winning Game 1, Inter Miami looked primed to roll through Atlanta United in their First Round matchup last season, but no one told the Five Stripes that.
A Game 2 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium sent Atlanta back to Florida to try and complete the biggest upset in league history. A nine-seed taking out the Supporters’ Shield winners? Before we express our doubts, let’s walk through Game 3.
In the 17th minute, the hosts went up 1-0 courtesy of Matías Rojas. All according to plan. Then, Miami’s extremely high backline got exposed just two minutes later, giving Atlanta forward Jamal Thiaré the perfect chance to level it. Oh, and he did it again two minutes later. Visitors up 2-1, and it’s nervy in South Beach!
The GOAT made it 2-2 in the 65th minute, but Bartosz Slisz didn’t care. The Polish international struck in the 76th minute to give Atlanta a lead they wouldn’t surrender, sending the Herons packing and completing not only a single-game comeback but a series comeback as well. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
2025 (so far) - Round One, Game 3:
Minnesota United 3 (7) - 3 (6) Seattle Sounders
Of course it gets better than that: Just add in 100% more Black and Blue, and you’ve got a far superior comeback story to tell. Without further ado, let’s do what we came to do: relive the sweet, sweet feeling of Game 3.
The series is tied 1-1. The Loons are hosting the rubber match, and after their most successful season of all time, they’re feeling good. The Allianz Field vibes are immaculate; the blackout has created a sea of roaring fans clad in black, and though they broke through the MNUFC defense in Game 2, the Sounders have struggled to find the net in Minnesota in 2025.
But they found it pretty early this time. Five minutes in, Rusnák steals the lead. Three minutes later, Musovski doubles it.
Joaquín Pereyra stopped the bleeding in the 18th minute with a stunning free kick, resetting the momentum and giving the crowd the hope they needed. A Minnesota red card just before the half took the wind out of the sails that had only just unfurled, though, leading to a tense break in action.
The visitors came out of the break to make use of their man advantage, and while they found some success, they didn’t get anything tangible for their efforts. Enter Anthony Markanich, the second coming of Brek Shea, and your Loons go from holding their own to cooking with grease.
62nd minute — goal, Jefferson Diaz. 71st minute — Markanich unmarked at the back post, Loons take the lead. Pandemonium in the stands. Bedlam in the press box. And that wasn’t even the most dramatic part.
Jordan Morris grabbed a late equalizer to send the series to the spot, and after a remarkable 10 rounds of penalties, it all came down to the goalies. The 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year against Seattle’s spirited little backup keeper. Who you taking?
Yeah, me too.
These comebacks are listed in chronological order, yes. But let’s get some audience participation here. Rank all five, post your list somewhere, and tell us why our comeback is the best. It’s the only possible answer, folks.
