Hassani Dotson's goal in 90th minute sends Minnesota United to MLS playoffs

Minnesota United’s 2-1 comeback victory over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday clinched the Loons a playoff appearance for the first time in their three MLS seasons.

They were taken there after halftime by an 11-year veteran for whom postseason play is habit and by a rookie who knows it not.

Four-time MLS All-Star Ozzie Alonso, acquired last winter from Seattle, delivered the first goal scored at Allianz Field back on April’s opening day. On Wednesday, he scored his season’s second goal on another volley plucked out of the air, this one a 70th-minute goal that started his team back from an early 1-0 deficit.

In the 90th minute, second-round draft pick Hassani Dotson scored the winner by showing both poise and patience. He celebrated with a running, two-kneed slide in a stadium that erupted with noise.

“I want them to be pleased, to be excited because they’ve worked hard for what they’ve achieved,” Loons coach Adrian Heath said.

“But we want to go even further than that.”