Two of the top three teams in Major League Soccer during the regular season square off in the opening match of the MLS conference semifinals (10pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
The No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake will look to win at Rio Tinto Stadium in game one of the two-game series to put pressure on the No. 2 seed Sounders, who should have a considerable edge in game two at CenturyLink Field.
RSL welcomes back Kyle Beckerman, who served a four-match ban, and Beckerman will be partnering with Javier Morales for the first time since April.
Seattle will be without standout playmaker Mauro Rosales, who is sidelined with a knee injury. The Sounders will be counting on Lamar Neagle and Sammy Ochoa as starters tonight to help support standouts Fredy Montero and Alvaro Fernandez.
SBI will be providing live commentary on tonight's match so please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Live Commentary is after the jump):
It would take the Earth’s atmosphere to come back from 3 goals…oh, wait
Scalpers and no shows for this Wednesday, Seattle will still draw more people and put to shame the rest of MLS in atmosphere…Including(especially) the Red Bulls and Galaxy…
Sickening result…Steve Zakuani where are you? Thanks, Brian
injection… as in super-sub.
Was thinking 6-0, the one Saborio put over the net, Morales’s shot being saved, and Espindola’s near post save as well. Those are sure goals against other keepers in the league.
Horse Manure = Tim Ream
Without Keller this game is 5 or 6 nil
Colorado still gets zero love
*agree
I aagree, Seattle just haven’t experienced enough adversity yet to play like a “playoff” team, they just lack that intensity and leadership, with the exception of Keller, and they need an extra season (or two) to find out what it takes to battle through the level they’re facing right now. In addition it baffles me that Seattle has yet to score a goal in the Cup Playoffs…..
Seattle is pretty darn good at home also. 3-0 or 4-1 without Olave and Borchers wouldnt be too surprising
Oh I see. He meant in the next round. Got it, my apologies.
3 times in 3 minutes
Olave and Borchers are important players no doubt about it, however Kreis is pretty good coach and RSL is known well for their depth, most guys on their bench can contribute in some sort of way on any MlS team. That said, I hope Seattle realizes now, you don’t get too many opportunities to win Rio Tinto, RSL has lost on their home pitch so few times it’s utterly suprising, example the CCL Final and they only lost 1-0, and had their finishing been on point they would’ve killed Monterrey like they killed Cruz Azul, but that’s another story…..
i think the replay on MLSsoccer.com shows him onside. but regardless even if he wasn’t there, the tap in wasn’t necessary. the ball was goin in.
I think Seattle has amazing support and are a great asset to MLS. I just think that they need some more time before they are actually a threat. They are great during the regular season and other competitions, but if you don’t have a third gear such as RSL and LA have had in the past (or present) then the most you can hope for is a stunning victory like Dallas had last year against the Galaxy. It is a tribute that no team in MLS under-estimate’s the Sounders. Good luck next year and if they pull off a stunning defeat next game (which I doubt) I will be back so that you may all berate me. Cheers!
Jeff Parke = Tim Ream
Can someone explain Nick Grabavoy’s goal celebration to me. He looked like he was tapping a vein and getting ready to shoot up. What the hell was that? Maybe nailing the final nail in the coffin??
Dont forget about LA or even NY
I didnt see this one coming
You are right, but I think RSL will be cool with a tie.
Is in big trouble??? of what?? not repeating a 3-0 victory?? I’m sure RSL will be ok with a tie
Is in big trouble??? of what?? not repeating a 3-0 victory?? I’m sure RSL will be ok with a tie.
+1000. Cascadia cup = Experienced Champions. Oh you didn’t know? lol
Seattle wasnt awful, but RSL outclassed them. If Olave and Borchet are out, Salt Lake is in bigg trouble. They took Montero out of the match.
im sure knowing how to win the US Open cup and that darn prestigious Cascadia cup will sure come in handy in overcoming a 3 goal deficit :]
Oh so this is your first comment on SBI. Welcome.
Brian Dunseth?
Yeah the one’s that don’t matter or not too many care about. They haven’t won the CCL, but nice try!
I have not heard a single sounders fan predicting an easy path to the MLS cup. we knew we had to play a very talented team in RSL and then probably LA as well and some team out of the east. so two of the other best three teams. i literally have not heard one person say itd be easy, stop trolling
It’s going to be exactly like the Galaxy saving Donovan and three other starters for the playoffs. I can’t wait to post for the commentary on tomorrow’s game. LA will easily beat NY, just wait and see. RSL and LA are quality all other teams are just trying to ride the luck train of the playoffs. Sorry to burst everyone’s bubble, but whoever wins the RSL vs. LA series will be the champion!
BS…Seattle has been outstanding in CCL and US Open Cup….They know how to win trophies.
Directv, is losing customers due to their ovverated packages, which contain only a few good channels and the rest are watered down in quality.
Crazy game. Great advantage going into the playoffs. How was Alonso not sent off? Very excited, tough match to play up in Seattle.
Seattle was ripped apart by a more experienced cohesive team. RSL lives for the playoffs, and this is their time to come “truly” alive. Seattle will need to overcome a three goal deficit and win, which is highly unlikely with or without Rosales, if they can complete a feat such as that, I will say they’ll likely go on to be the champions.
3-0…OMG
A three goal lead is pretty good depth.
Home leg will be different with Mauro and both Center Halves out, but 3 goals will be tough.
Can’t argue with you after that result. Seattle was neutered.
Was RSL just saving Morales for the playoffs? If so, smart move
RSL dominated the match. They were first to every ball. Their skilled players went out wide to kill Riley and Gonzales one on one. Parke and Alonso were continually pulled out to cover for the FBs. Hats off to Kries for a good game plan.
It happening for good on direct tv…Not good for soccer in this country
I dont think so…RSL just found their form. SSFC needs a monster game at home. If anybody can pull it off, it is them.
Good job as usual by Dellacamera, but who is the other weasel on this broadcast?
As bad as I feel for some of the nice Seattle Sounders supporters I have one thing to say to the loud mouths that have been predicting an easy Sounders MLS cup run……. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Congrats RSL, one of the worst performances seattle has put in all year. you should go through now, no way we can get it all back next wednesday.
Sounders only hope is that they are both out next leg
Sigi will need to bring in Rosales…They need goals
Luis Gil on…RSL is stacked
Olave, now Borchers? Does any team have the depth to lose 2 rocks like that?