In the first leg of the MLS Cup Western Conference Semi-finals the Seattle Sounders hosted FC Dallas on a rainy Sunday night. It was the Sounders third game in eight days while Dallas , the 206 Supporters Shield and US Open Cup winners were awarded a first round bye.  The pre-game ceremonies lent the night a aura of anticipation as smoke from the fireworks filled the stadium..

As the haze lifted Seattle got things underway with an early chance for Nelson Valdez. Joevin Jones played in a beautiful ball over the top for Morris who took one touch to control it before laying in a cross for Valdez that FC Dallas keeper Chris Seitz did well to save.

After early Seattle success, Dallas’ 5-3-2 formation started to be utilized to better effect. With Michael Barrios and Maxi Urruti pressing so high they were able to pressure Seattle’s backline effectivly. Capitalizing on sloppy passes like one that Zach Scott made in the 19th minute that nearly led to a Dallas goal.

While the Sounders were loose at the back, up front they were a different story. They connected passes in a way that they’ve struggled to recently. Eventually this led to dangerous chances for Seattle such as in the 26th minute when Erik Friberg ended up with the ball off a corner and fired off a shot that took Matt Hedges, Chris Seitz, and Walker  Zimmerman to save off the line.

The Sounders continued to find the better of the chances on the night. Nico Lodeiro dropped deep to gather the ball in open spaces and used the time that allowed to great effect. Such as  in the 36’ when he one-timed the ball over Hedges to a waiting Morris. The rookie corralled the ball, got it onto his right foot and fired off a shot from the top of the box that Seitz was able to dive on top of.

Despite the aggression from Seattle, FC Dallas and goalie Chris Seitz managed to preserve the 0-0 score to the end of the first half. A scoreline they gladly accepted after getting outplayed and out possessed. Conceding three threatening chances while earning none for themselves. Without Mauro Diaz they lacked the link between their stellar defense and threatening strikers that led allowed them to score so many goals this season.

Seattle started the second half with some of the best playoff soccer they’ve ever played. The next twenty minutes saw a Seattle team that imposed their will, by force, over the 2016 Supporters Shield winners. Their passing was superb, their marking even better. It was a 20 minute period of utter domination.

Nelson Valdez, hot after his first MLS goal in a year,  made a darting run into the box in the 50th minute. Expertly splitting the right two centerbacks of Dallas’ backline. Just like last week Joeving Jones whipped in a perfect cross that Valdez redirected past Seitz. Clearly onside, Valdez celebrated his third goal in five playoff appearances.

While the game Dallas couldn’t stop Seattle. The Sounders had too many attackers making runs that couldn’t be covered. Valdez unleashed Morris down the left flank. With Lodeiro making a run in the middle of the box Dallas’s defenders were caught in-between a rock and a hard place. Morris opted to make a low cross far post to a wide open Lodeiro who calmly tapped it in for the second goal of the night.

In complete disarray at this point Dallas again let runners in behind them. In the 58th minute Joevin Jones lobbed a beautiful ball over the top to a wide open Lodeiro. Nico sprinted goalward with a three pace lead on the closest Dallas defender. The Sounders DP’s shot nutmegged Seitz on it’s way into Dallas’s goal for the final goal of the night.

Down 3-0 in the span of just eight minutes the shellshocked Dallas side struggled to assert themselves in the game as the Sounders remained resolute at the back such as in the 64’ Frei came out to stuff a header before Dallas could make a play on it.

In an effort to spur their attack Dallas flooded the field with substitutes, including former Sounder Mauro Rosales. He immediately made in impact with his fabled service. His free kick sails all the way through the box and past four Dallas attackers who all have a shot at it.

Unlike in years past Seattle kept their foot on the gas even with a 3-0 lead. With Seattle still pushing Dallas struggle do generate quality chances. The few they were able to scrape together were calmly handled by Stefan Frei. Dallas’ best chance on the night came in the 80th minute. Micheal Barrios found the ball at the top of the box, and the ensuing shot forced Frei into a diving save to his right.

The 3-0 victory marked the best playoff match in Sounder history. Never have the Sounder had a multi-goal lead in any home and home playoff series. They’ll take that lead to Dallas next Sunday for the final match of the series.

The Sounders Uruguayan wonder signing was a force to be reckoned with on the night. The Sounders marquee signings often struggle to make an impact in the playoffs but Lodeiro proved once again that he’s the exception.