3 Takeaways as Seattle Sounders Clinch Playoff Spot

1) Both teams rose to the occasion

I’ll gladly admit that I expected a tense game lacking in entertainment, given what was at stake for both teams. In the end, this prediction couldn’t have been more wrong – especially in the first half.

The Sounders came flying out of the gates and took the lead after just three minutes, courtesy of their best move of the season. Jordan Morris’ exquisite back heel allowed Tyrone Mears to set up Alvaro Fernandez to score his first goal of the season.

However, RSL went right down the other end of the field to equalize just a minute later, and the tempo was set for the opening half. The fact that there was only one more goal was a surprise, although thankfully for the Sounders it went to them, courtesy of a Cristian Roldan tap in after a rebound.

Understandably, the entertainment went down a notch during the second 45 minutes, although this was adequately replaced by the intensity, as Seattle battled to hold onto their one-goal lead. Overall though, both sides deserve credit for providing us with an exciting game that went down to the wire. (Yes, the Sounders looked solid as the second half progressed, but the slender advantage meant they could never relax.)