KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's a question many are asking on Thursday: "What does Sporting KC need to do Thursday night to advance to the MLS Cup?"
For some fans, it's not obvious. That's because the rules are different in the MLS than other major sports.
After a 0-0 tie in Portland on Sunday, here are the scenarios for Thursday night's second leg of the MLS Western Conference Finals:
—If the teams are tied 0-0 after regulation, they will play two 15-minute extra periods. If the teams are still tied after those extra periods, they will head to a shootout.
—A score-draw of any kind after 90 minutes would result in the Portland Timbers advancing. These are scores such as 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3. That's because if the teams score an equal number of goals during both matches, the team with the most road goals advances.
—If either Sporting KC or Portland wins in regulation, that team would advance to the MLS Cup.
Sporting and Portland square off Thursday at Children's Mercy Park at 8:30 p.m. It is televised on ESPN.