Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids: 3 Takeaways from the 1st Leg

Nov 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) high-fives fans after a game against the Colorado Rapids in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference Championship at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) high-fives fans after a game against the Colorado Rapids in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference Championship at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Seattle Sounders
Nov 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) high-fives fans after a game against the Colorado Rapids in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference Championship at CenturyLink Field. Seattle won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

We consider three crucial factors which played a major role in the Seattle Sounders 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship.

Even before the Seattle Sounders took the field there was plenty of drama to entertain the media and fans, courtesy of the Eastern Conference Championship. (You would imagine Brian Schmetzer and his men were ‘slightly’ more focused on preparing for their own game.)

Certainly, when the Montreal Impact took a 3-0 lead in their clash with the Toronto FC, everyone around the league was paying attention. However, just as Sounders’ fans started to dream about the possibility of hosting the MLS Cup final, TFC came back to score two critical away goals.

In the process, there is still everything to play for in the Eastern Conference second leg, set to take place in Toronto next Wenesday. And really, that’s the way it should be, given what an intriguing, unpredictable season this has been in MLS.

In that respect, it’s the same scenario for the Rave Green, after their 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids. Let’s look at three key factors, which played a significant part in the outcome of the first leg.