It took two an additional two and half weeks because of the international break but the first half of the 2016 MLS Western Conference Final is in the books with the Sounders winning 2-1 over the Colorado Rapids in front of 42,774 soaked Rave Green faithful.

After a week of articles about whether or not they’d play Shkelzen Gashi and Jordan Morris were fit enough to start for their sides. The only noticeable absence on the night was Rapids midseason acquisition Tim Howard. The longtime US international was replaced by Zach MacMath who was one of the better keepers in the league before being replaced by Howard. The 25 year old had an impressive night and after the game head coach Pablo Mastroeni had plenty of praise saying “I think he handled himself really, really well. He kept us in the game

Gashi and Morris both proved impactful in the first 20 minutes. After 13 largely equal minutes Colorado’s crisper passing was rewarded with a beautiful sequence from Jones, Gashi, and Doyle. Jones played a quick pass to Gashi’s feet just outside the 18 yard box. Gashi dummied the ball for a waiting Doyle and his deflected shot got past Frei for the Rapids first and only goal of the night.

The Sounders responded six minutes later thanks to the work of Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris. Roldan made a thirty yard run before snapping off a well placed shot from the top of the box that MacMath was forced the parry. Jordan Morris was ready and waiting for the rebound and slotted it right over an outstretched MacMath for the Sounders first goal on the night.

After the initial flurry the game came to an uneasy equilibrium as both sides quickly pushed numbers forward off turnovers resulting in a very back and forth game. For all of Seattles chances it was the Rapids who had the more intricate passing early on. Due in large part to Jermaine Jones who continually one-timed balls others would struggle with.

That ability proved useful for the Rapids as it led to their better chances on the night such as in the 23rd minute when Jones’ beautiful pass found the feet of an onrushing Sebastian Le Toux. The former Sounder miscontrolled and despite being in on goal the former Sounder’s shot petered out of bounds well clear of the goal.

After the 30th minute mark the Sounders started to assert themselves more. Due to the Rapids stout spine Seattle was forced to the wings where there was more space. Morris and Lodeiro frequently swapped wings in the forward band adding another wrinkle to an already fluid attack. Behind them Cristian Roldan and Osvaldo Alonso had one of their best games together, continually stopping Rapids counters before they could fully develop.

As the game broke for halftime the game felt even with the Sounders having the better of the chances but Colorado looking the calmer and composed side.

The Rapids once again came out more composed for the beginning. Their crisp passing and good team movement got them a couple chances early in the second half, but the Sounders did well force them to take shots from difficult areas.

As Seattle started to control more of the possession they got a huge break when former Sounder Marc Burch and Nico Lodeiro went after a loose ball in the Rapids box. Burch went in late with his right foot bringing Lodeiro down for the penalty.

Lodeiro made no mistake on the penalty easily putting it past Zach MacMath for the Sounders second goal of the night. It was Lodeiro’s fourth postseason goal, earning him the honor of having the most postseason goals of any Sounder in the MLS era.

The following fifteen minutes saw three huge chances. Two for the Rapids and one for the Sounders, but because of poor decisions and stellar goalkeeping the score stayed 2-1. The largely clean game saw only three yellows, all to Colorado and all for unsporting behavior. Sam Cronin’s yellow in the 67th minute was by far the most important of the lot as it means he’ll miss the Rapids home leg due to yellow card accumulation.

As substitutes made their way onto the pitch and the minutes wound down Colorado saw more of the possession, and it was only in the final five to ten minutes that Seattle pushed numbers forward in an all out effort to grab a third goal. But Colorado, just like they’ve done all season refused to break leaving the game with a final score of 2-1.

The 2-1 scoreline is one that both sides have reasons to be content with. After going down 1-0 in the 13th minute, winning 2-1 is just about as good of a result as the Sounders could’ve hopped for. The Rapids for their part walk away with the all important away goal, content knowing that a 1-0 result at home, which they’ve done 14 times this season, earns them a trip to the MLS Cup. That decision will have to wait until Sunday. Now the name of the game is recovery as the sides have just five days to prepare.