Sounders Finish Regular Season in Style against Real Salt Lake – Photo Recap

Photos by Brandon Bleek & Max Aquino Captions by Toby Dunkelberg

After three straight disappointing 1-1 draws the Seattle Sounders and 54,435 fans braved the elements to welcome Real Salt Lake to CenturyLink Field on MLS’s Decision Day 2015, setting a new season attendance record in the process.

The Sounders needed a win or a tie to advance to the playoffs. Only a win would ensure a spot while a draw would have them advance as long as SKC and San Jose didn't both win. The rest of the Western Conference Playoff Picture was up in the air with teams having chance to finish anywhere from seventh to second.

The Sounders came into the night needing a win or a tie to advance to the playoffs. Only a win would guarantee a spot – a draw would have them advance as long as SKC and San Jose didn’t both win. The rest of the Western Conference Playoff Picture was up in the air with teams like Vancouver having the ability to finish anywhere from seventh to second.

The night also marked the Emerald City Supporters 10th anniversary and they celebrated with a large TIFO display honoring all those members who've passed away while looking forward to the future.

The night also marked the Emerald City Supporters 10th anniversary and they celebrated with a large TIFO display honoring all their passionate members who’ve passed away.

The Sounders came out firing on all cylinders and after a a missed chance in the 5th minute Leo Gonzalez again chipped it over the top to a streaking Obafemi Martins on the left side of the box. The Nigerian looked up and placed a pin-point cross to a double marked Dempsey who eluded his defenders and tapped it by backup goalkeeper Jeff Attinella to put the Sounder up 1-0.

Seattle came out firing on all cylinders. After an early opportunity was wasted Sounders left back Leo Gonzalez once again sprung Obafemi Martins free over the top on a lovely a lovely chip. The Nigerian looked up and placed a pin-point cross to a double marked Dempsey who eluded his defenders and tapped it by backup goalkeeper Jeff Attinella to put the Sounders up 1-0.

Not five minutes later, Martin's settles another Leo long ball and passes to Dempsey who found Marco Pappa on the top right of the box. After a couple step overs the Guatemalan curled in an absolute beauty past Attinella's outstretched fingers to make it 2-0 Sounders.

Not five minutes later, Martin’s settled another Leo long ball and passed to Dempsey who found Marco Pappa on the top right of the box. After a couple step overs to freeze his defender the Guatemalan curled in an absolute beauty past Attinella’s outstretched fingers to take Seattle up 2-0.

There was to be no rest for the wicked as just ten minutes later it all unraveled for Real Salt Lake. Erik Friberg dispossessed Jordan Allen in his own half and a quick one two between Dempsey and Martins found the later in on goal once. Attinella learned from his mistakes and made an astounding save on Martins shot, but the rebound fell right to Dempsey who directed his full tilt volley on target to put the game away for good.

Finishing the game felt more like a formality than real competition after the third goal. Neither side looked very interested in changing the scoreline. Even the fans in attendance turned away at times as they frantically refreshed their phones to get the latest version of the playoff picture.

Entering halftime the score was still 3-0 Seattle, but the playoff picture was remarkably different Portland, Seattle, Vancouver stood with the second, third and fourth spots in the West. All Seattle could do was sit back and manage the game while the rest of the games developed. If Portland lost and Vancouver remained tied the Sounders would've slid up to second in the west.

Entering halftime the score was still 3-0 Seattle, but the playoff picture was remarkably different than the end result. Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver stood with the second, third and fourth spots in the West respectivly. All Seattle could do was sit back and manage the game while the other games developed. If Portland lost and Vancouver remained tied the Sounders would’ve slid up to second in the west.

The second half started without much fanfare. There were few chances as key players were subbed off for fear of injury. Dempsey departed for Barrett, Alonso for Pineda, and on the RSL side of things Sandoval and Allen made way for Jaime and García.

Manneh put the Whitecaps up on top and Vancouver never lost the lead which earned them the second spot in the Western Conference while bumping Portland and Seattle down to three and four. Playoff positions that would prove lasting.

Meanwhile Manneh put the Whitecaps up on top and Vancouver never lost the lead which earned them the second spot in the Western Conference and bumped Portland and Seattle down to third and fourth. Those position would prove final half hour later.

Real Salt Lake punished Seattle for their complacency on the backline in the 74th minute when Tony Beltran found a just enough time on the left side of the box to slide in a low cross that Luis Gil slapped past Stefan Frei to make it 3-1 Seattle.

Real Salt Lake punished Seattle for their complacency on the backline in the 74th minute when Tony Beltran found just enough time and space on the left side of the box to slide in a low cross that Luis Gil slapped past Stefan Frei to make it 3-1 Seattle.

With RSL now satisfied due to evading the shutout, and the Sounders more than happy with the three goals, the game finished without many more moments of consequence.

With RSL now satisfied after avoiding the shutout, and the Sounders more than happy with three goals, the game finished without many more moments of consequence outside of a late Barrett chance that came off of his trademark pressure.

The 3-1 scoreline held and was met with rave reviews from the Sounders fans, who just two months ago were worried their team might miss the payoffs all together. With their seventh consecutive playoff appearance, the Sounders extend their reign as the only team to advance to the playoffs in their first seven seasons in MLS.

With Sounder, Portland, and Vancouver wins, along with an LA loss against SKC the Western Conference playoff matchups were solidified and The Sounders will play host to the LA Galaxy in yet another winner advance playoff matchup on Wednesday.

With Sounder, Portland, and Vancouver wins, along with an LA loss against SKC the Western Conference playoff matchups were solidified. All three Cascadia clubs will host playoff games. The Sounders will play host to the LA Galaxy on Wednesday in yet another high octane winner advance playoff matchup between the two biggest franchises in MLS.