The away goal rule is something that has always divided opinion in the world of football.
Whoever you support, at some point or another your team has been knocked out by the away goal rule.
In contrast, your side has also likely fallen on the opposite side and won an important tie thanks to an invaluable away goal.
Although, in the MLS play-offs, the away goal rule works differently, but nobody reminded the Portland Timbers last night.
At the full-time whistle of a Western Conference Semi-final second leg tie, the score between Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers was 4-4 on aggregate.
On the night, The Timbers had scored two away goals compared to Sounders' one back in the first leg.
Naturally, you would assume that The Timbers progress to the Western Conference Final after Dairon Asprilla's header.
Judging by the players reactions on the pitch, they also thought so to. Check out the video from Streamable below.
However, in the MLS Play-Offs, a separate ruling system exists.
As per the official MLS website, the rules state that,
"If, at the conclusion of the second leg, the series remains tied after taking into account the away goals tiebreaker, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety."
"The away goals tiebreaker shall not apply in these two fifteen 15-minute extra time periods."
Despite the 2015 MLS Cup winners not officially confirming they believed the game was over, the players reactions told the story well enough.
Cameras caught defender Zarek Valentin explaining to the rest of his team that the tie was yet to be over.
Luckily, Portland went on to beat The Sounders 4-2 in the shootout at CenturyLink Field to spare their blushes.
If Sounders went on to win the tie, you can only imagine how much glee the home fans would have taken in laughing at their rivals.
Portland Timbers will face the winner of Real Salt Lake vs Sporting Kansas City, who will play their second leg on November 11th with the tie locked at 1-1.
Featured Image Credit: Credit: StreamableTopics: MLS
