The path toward a third MLS Cup title continues after defeating No. 1 seed LAFC over the weekend to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
The Seattle Sounders will travel to Los Angeles again on Nov. 30, but this time, will face LAFC's cross-town rivals, the LA Galaxy, at Dignity Health Park to determine the Best of the West (7 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM).
Here are five of the most memorable Western Conference Final performances the team hopes to emulate as they look ahead to Saturday night's battle against LA Galaxy.
Leg 2: Colorado Rapids 0, Seattle Sounders 1 | Nov. 27, 2016
There is a reason why forward Jordan Morris was named Rookie of the Year in 2016. After scoring the first goal in the Sounders 2-1, Leg 1 victory over the Colorado Rapids, he managed to tally the game-winner in Leg 2, advancing the team to its first-ever MLS Cup. Just 11 minutes into the second half, a mis-clearance from Colorado's defense landed in the feet of Nelson Valdez who proceeded to send a through ball to Morris just outside the eighteen. The Mercer Island Magician collected the ball near the six and chipped it past goalkeeper Zac Macmath with the outside of his right foot to give the Rave Green the lead and ice the series.
Seattle faced Toronto FC in the following round where the team earned its first-ever MLS Cup title.
Leg 1: Houston Dynamo 0, Seattle Sounders 2 | Nov. 21, 2017
Not only did the Sounders take the lead in the two-game series of the Western Conference Finals after tallying two first half goals from Will Bruin and Gustav Svensson, this was also the team's first-ever road win against the Houston Dynamo since joining MLS in 2009. Svennson collected the first goal of the night in less than 15 minutes of match play when a Nicolás Lodeiro corner kick was placed perfectly for the Sweden defender to redirect with his head and into the back of the net. Bruin extended the lead to two to close out the half when Joevin Jones' lofted cross toward the six-yard-box found the forward on the run for him to head past goalkeeper Joe Willis. Seattle was able to maintain the score throughout the second half, finishing with a 2-0 aggregate advantage heading into Leg 2.
Leg 2: Seattle Sounders 3, Houston Dynamo 0 | Nov. 30, 2017
The Sounders earned their second-ever ticket to MLS Cup after a stellar 3-0, Leg 2 performance against Houston. Seattle made it a night to remember for the 45,000 fans in attendance, beginning with a give-and-go combination at the top of the eighteen between Bruin and VÃctor RodrÃguez that ultimatley led to the Sounders' first goal. The final slip pass from Bruin opened up space for Rodriguez to chip past Willis to give Seattle the initial lead in the 22nd minute. Then in the 57th minute, Jones drove the ball across the eighteen for Clint Dempsey to finish one-time, extending the lead to two. Bruin provided an insurance goal in the 73rd after a flawlessly timed pass from Harry Shipp put him in position to chip the ball over Willis and into the back of the net.
LAFC 1, Seattle Sounders 3 | Oct. 29, 2019
It looked as if the Western Conference Final match was going to end in LAFC’s favor after the No. 1 seed took the lead in the 17th minute, but a dominant comeback performance left Seattle on top with goals from Raúl Ruidiaz (2) and Lodeiro. Just five minutes after Eduard Atuesta notched one for the home side, a quick turn from RuidÃaz at the top of the box opened up space for him to level the score with a top-bin banger. Lodeiro continued the scoring in the 26th minute in the same spot with a driven ball into the near post. RuidÃaz collected the brace in the 64th minute with another near post strike, ending the Supporters’ Shield winners’ season in one of the all-time biggest upsets in the MLS postseason.
The Sounders would later face Toronto FC in the MLS Cup Final and secure their second title.
Seattle Sounders 3, Minnesota United 2 | Dec. 7, 2020
Arguably the greatest comeback in MLS Cup Playoffs history, the Sounders overturned a 2-0 deficit after collecting three late goals in the final 20 minutes of the match to secure the Western Conference Championship over Minnesota United. Minnesota had the upperhand for the majority of the match with goals from Emanuel Reynoso and Bakaye Dibassy, but a Will Bruin driven ball toward the far post in the 75th minute put the Sounders back in contention. With the momentum shifting in the Sounders' favor, RuidÃaz attained the equalizer in the 89th minute when a bouncing ball from an intitial corner kick found the Peruvian forward at point-blank range near the back post. Svensson completed in the miraculous turnaround in second-half extra-time when a Lodeiro corner kick was placed perfectly for the center back to flick with his head far-post.
