Photos by Max Aquino, Nick Danielson and Will Raunig
Captions by Giordan Bonanno and Toby Dunkelberg
Seattle Sounders welcomed the LA Galaxy for an epic playoff showdown on a rainy Wednesday night at CenturyLink Field.
The Sounders were able to capitalize on a mistake by keeper Ricketts as Dempsey gave Seattle an early lead in the fifth minute.
Sebastian Lletget quickly tied it up a minute later, off of a wonderful assist from Gyasi Zardes
The Sounders again took the lead in the twelfth minute as Ivanschitz curled in a cross from 40 yards out to the far post and connected with Nelson Valdez
Zardes collected a deflected shot just outside the box and buried his deflected shot in the upper left corner of the net, just past a diving Frei.
Ivanschitz is able to score only seconds after the tying goal but his goal is called off due to an offside Dempsey. Leonardo Gonzalez would have to leave the game due to injury, replaced by Zach Scott.
The Sounders started off the second half guns blazing, but were unable to convert their chances. Gerrard made a fantastic clearance on a dangerous Friberg cross, just before it reached Martins.
Friberg scored the game winning goal, on a beautiful volley after the LA defense failed to clear the ball.
Frei preserved the late lead, making an incredible save on a Gyasi Zardes strike.
Evans is injured in the final minutes of the game. He may miss the match on Sunday, at the very least.
The match ended 3-2 as Seattle finally defeated LA in the playoffs, but will have to wait for the winner in the Portland vs. SKC match to see who they will play on Sunday.
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