LOS ANGELES – For the third time in four seasons, the Seattle Sounders are going to MLS Cup.
Raúl Ruidíaz scored a brace, Nicolás Lodeiro bagged one of his own and the Sounders pulled off a 3-1 victory over a heavily favored, Supporters’ Shield-winning LAFC side at Banc of California Stadium, clinching the Western Conference Championship.
Eduard Atuesta netted the only goal for the hosts with a first-half free kick in the 17th minute that snuck inside the near post.
But Ruidíaz would level just five minutes later with a gorgeous finish from just inside the area that beat LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller to make it 1-1. Lodeiro then added a second just four minutes after that with a finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, giving the Sounders a 2-1 lead they would take into the locker room at halftime.
Ruidíaz then added his second of the night in the 64th with another clinical finish to the near post past a diving Miller, handing the Sounders the 3-1 lead. From there it was a clinic in defending, as the Sounders staved off a desperate LAFC squad to seal the 3-1 final and the Western Conference Championship.
The Sounders now await the winner of the Eastern Conference Final to determine where MLS Cup will be held on November 10.
Fans and media are invited to welcome the club home from LA. The team is due to arrive at 2:00 a.m. PT. Those in attendance are asked to gather at MasterPark Garage (16826 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188). No parking will be available on site.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
STARS SHINE
Come playoff time, your biggest players need to shine in the biggest moments. The Sounders got the performances they needed in that regard, with Ruidíaz tallying a massive brace and the captain Lodeiro getting the other. This is a veteran group that knows how to win these games. On Tuesday, they proved it.
DEFENSIVE MASTER CLASS
Let’s state the obvious: This was a juggernaut LAFC side. They were hailed as “the best team in MLS history” and rightfully so, after they broke the single season record for points in a regular season. None of that mattered on Tuesday. Seattle’s back line stood on its collective head and, paced by some equally masterful goalkeeping from Stefan Frei, they held the league’s most statistically lethal attack to just a single goal. It doesn’t get much more clutch than that.
MLS CUP…AGAIN
Getting to three MLS Cups in four years is far from easy. Making it to one isn’t easy! Seattle have now won the West for a third time since 2016 and will look to get its second league title in the championship match on November 10. They’ll have to do so against a tough side in Toronto FC or Atlanta United, but if there’s one thing Tuesday’s match should tell you, it’s that you shouldn’t put anything past this group.
