The players and coaches of Sounders FC were excited when they knew it would be FC Dallas or Vancouver Whitecaps FC that they’d face in the Western Conference Semifinals. Either opponent would provide a chance for Seattle to get revenge for the loss in its most recent matchup with both clubs.
Due to Wednesday’s result in the Knockout Round, the Sounders now know that opponent will be Dallas. Seattle won two of its three matches against Dallas during the regular season, but the most recent was a 3-1 defeat last month at Toyota Stadium.
“That left a sour taste in their mouth,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said of his players. “I know they weren’t happy with the game we played in Dallas the last time…so I know that’s going to make it easier to motivate our team.”
Just as it did Wednesday against the Whitecaps, Dallas clinched its only win of the season over Seattle by scoring late in the second half. The Sounders were playing their fourth game in a 13-day stretch that included their victory in the U.S. Open Cup Final against Philadelphia.
This time, the Sounders will be well-rested when they head south to take on the Hoops.
Seattle has a full week between its regular-season finale and Sunday night’s playoff game, while Dallas will be playing its third match in nine days.
Schmid said last year’s Knockout Round match had an effect on his team’s fatigue in the Conference Semifinals. This year the club will have an advantage in terms of fitness, plus it heads into the playoffs on a good note after conquering the LA Galaxy to secure its second trophy of the season.
“I think winning the Supporters’ Shield takes a little bit of pressure off your shoulders,” captain Brad Evans said. “We go in a little bit more relaxed knowing that we’ve done a phenomenal job this year and it’s nothing we haven’t seen before. So there’s no reason to come in and play nervous or do anything out of the ordinary.”
While Evans and his teammates have a relaxed mindset, they also realize anything can happen in the MLS Playoffs. The Supporters’ Shield winner has lost in the Conference Semifinals in back-to-back seasons and went on to win MLS Cup just twice in the past 11 years.
When speaking to the media following training this week, Schmid used the analogy of the recent MLB Playoffs, which saw two Wild Card teams reach the championship series.
“It’s not a reflection of league or anything like that,” Schmid said. “If you get hot at the right time, if you’re playing well…there are times when a couple of individuals and your team being in form can make everything right for you.
“In a cup competition, it’s a fantasy island. Anybody can have their day.”
This will be the first time Seattle and Dallas meet in the MLS Playoffs. On the road Sunday, the Sounders will be looking to gain the upper hand in the series, as away goals are the tiebreaker.
Kickoff is set for 6pm PT from Frisco and can be watched nationally on ESPN2.
