Real Salt Lake shock LAFC in 5-goal knockout thriller

Real Salt Lake spoiled Los Angeles FC's first taste of the MLS Cup playoffs on Thursday night, scoring twice in the second half to record a 3-2 comeback win in hostile territory.

Damir Kreilach netted two goals for the visitors - including a spectacular volley in the 58th minute - before teammate Jefferson Savarino's deflected effort settled matters.

Mike Petke's side will now meet Sporting Kansas City in the Western Conference semifinals, with the Seattle Sounders set to face the Portland Timbers in the opposite fixture.

If the LA Galaxy hadn't blown a 2-0 halftime lead against the Houston Dynamo and lost 3-2 on the final day of the regular season, Real Salt Lake wouldn't even be here. They won just one of their final six regular-season matches and allowed goals at an alarming rate.

But that run of form changed Thursday thanks to Kreilach. The Croatian opened the scoring with a cool finish in the first half, chesting down the ball before firing from close range.

Danilo Silva responded with a powerful header minutes later, and halftime substitute Christian Ramirez rifled a sensational shot past Nick Rimando to give LAFC a 2-1 lead.

It was merely an invitation for Kreilach to strut his stuff. His wicked volley came at a standstill, crashing off the post and in to silence the raucous crowd.