The journey for a third MLS Cup title continues.
The Seattle Sounders will face LAFC in the Western Conference Semifinals on Nov. 23 at BMO Stadium.
The battle ahead serves as a reminder of some of the most remarkable Western Conference Semifinals moments for the Rave Green since joining Major League Soccer in 2009. Here are five unforgettable semifinal matches to look back on:
Leg 2: Real Salt Lake 0, Seattle Sounders 1 | Nov. 8, 2012
The Sounders advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history after defeating Real Salt Lake 1-0 in a two-match aggregate showdown. After the two teams left CenturyLink stadium in a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the Sounders managed to close out the series in Utah with a one-time finish from Mario Martinez in the 81st minute. With nine minutes left to spare, Fredy Montero chipped a perfect ball to Martinez near the left side of the eighteen for him to rocket off the bounce and inside the far post.
Leg 1: Seattle Sounders 3, FC Dallas 0 | Oct. 30, 2016
The 4-2 aggregate win over FC Dallas in the Western Conference Semifinals set the tone for the Sounders’ path toward its first-ever MLS Cup title. Despite FC Dallas coming away with a 2-1 victory in Leg 2 of the series, the Sounders dominant 3-0 performance in Leg 1 put them ahead to move onto the next round.
Seattle took control of the series in a span of ten minutes. Shortly after Nelson Valdez’s redirected header past Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz in the 50th minute, Nicolás Lodeiro extended the lead to three with a brace in the 55th and 58th minutes. Lodeiro’s first of the night came from a one-time finish off a driven cross from Jordan Morris while his speed off the dribble — just three minutes later — put him in position to not only surpass the entire FC Dallas defense, but rocket a shot just outside the eighteen to earn a brace and a ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
Leg 2: Seattle Sounders 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 | Nov. 2, 2017
The Sounders Western Conference Semifinals matchup against the Vancouver Whitecaps went down to the wire with Leg 1 finishing in a 0-0 draw. But from the first whistle at CenturyLink Field, Leg 2 was the Sounders’ match for the taking. While the first half finished scoreless, the home side outshot the Whitecaps 9-2. The team’s offensive prowess finally came to fruition in the second 45 when a Clint Dempsey brace led to a 2-0 victory and the opportunity to advance out of the semifinals round.
In the 56th minute, Dempsey received the ball at the top of the box, cut inside past a Vancouver defender and struck a left-footed shot to the far post to give Seattle the lead. He topped the night off in the 88th minute with an aerial volley off a VÃctor RodrÃguez cross to secure the victory.
Seattle Sounders 2, Real Salt Lake 0 | Oct. 23, 2019
The Sounders advanced to the Western Conference finals for the third time in four years after second half goals from Gustav Svensson and Lodeiro pushed the team past Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field. Seattle nearly got the go ahead goal in the opening minutes of the second 45, but it wasn't until the 64th minute when the home side finally broke through. Lodeiro's corner kick found Svensson's head as he made a run near post, which he flicked on past Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando to give the Rave Green the lead. Lodeiro closed out the match in the 81st minute with a one-time rocket off a lay-off from RuidÃaz near the top of the box.
The Sounders would pass Supporters' Shield winners LAFC in the following round before defeating Toronto FC in the MLS Cup Final to earn their second title.
Seattle Sounders 1, FC Dallas 0 | Dec. 1, 2020
The Sounders advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the fourth time in the team’s MLS era after sliding past FC Dallas with a lone goal from center back Shane O'Neill. It was a back and forth battle from beginning to end, but a moment in the 49th minute allowed the home side to take the lead and close out the match with a win. Lodeiro’s corner kick found the head of O’Neill near post for him to redirect past goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer and come away with another Western Conference Semifinal victory. The team would reach MLS Cup once again, but fall to Eastern Conference side Columbus Crew.
