It is good to know your enemy.
After tonight’s MLS Knockout Round showdown between FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Sounders know they will face FC Dallas in the Western Conference Semifinals.
FC Dallas topped the Whitecaps, 2-1, with a goal from Tesho Akindele in the 40th minute and a penalty-kick goal from Michel in the 84th.
Dallas got on the board first from Mauro Diaz feeding a neat through ball to a breaking Akindele, who finished by blasting a right-footed shot to the far post past Whitecaps keeper Dan Ousted.
In the second half, Vancouver came out firing and Whitecaps FC forward Erik Hurtado eventually put the ball in the back of the Dallas net in the 64th minute. His shot sent Dallas keeper Chris Seitz the wrong way, then the ball bobbled into the net after deflecting off an FC Dallas defender.
Dallas took the lead in the 84th minute after a handball in the box was called against Vancouver. On the ensuing PK, Michel stepped up and put the ball firmly in the back of the net, sending Ousted the wrong way for the game-winning goal.
In MLS regular-season play, Sounders FC won twice against FC Dallas on goals from MVP candidates Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey. The Sounders lost the third matchup, which saw a brace from David Texeira, but featured a memorable outside-the-18 goal from Lamar Neagle.
The Sounders will face FC Dallas on Sunday at 6 pm with television coverage nationally on ESPN2.
