Photos
The Sounders had led the MLS in goals scored during the regular season, but went 90 minutes in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday without so much as a shot on goal in a 3-0 defeat.
Wednesday, they punched in a pair of goals to win 2-0, which still left them on the short end of the two-game, aggregate-score playoff series.
But they certainly made it interesting, spending the final 29 minutes of frantic action trying to power in the series-tying goal.
This one looked like it might be just more of the same. Experts would have told you that the Sounders would need to get off to a quick start to have a chance. They didn’t, and actually seemed to miss a number of good scoring opportunities early.
But it was as if they suddenly remembered the map to the goal.
Osvaldo Alonso’s penalty kick goal in the 56th minute was followed in the 61st minute by a goal by Lamar Neagle. A Federal Way product, Neagle came in during the first half as an injury substitute for Alvaro Fernandez (hamstring), the team’s second-highest goal scorer.
For the remarkable accomplishments made by Sounders FC in its three-year history, this was the first win in a postseason game.
The game provided another stunning display of fan support on an eveing of horrible weather when victory was highly improbable.
But a rain-oblivious crowd of 36,021 cheered and chanted throughout, as they have through another record-breaking season in which the Sounders set an MLS attendance record for the third straight time, won their third straight U.S. Open Cup, and made the MLS playoffs all three years.
It’s hard to imagine a start-up business this successful in any enterprise.
Well after the game ended, fans still gathered near the player tunnel, chanting “Kasey Keller,” honoring the Sounders’ 42-year-old goalkeeper who has announced his retirement.
Keller ended his iconic career with a shutout, including a nice diving save of a breakaway in the second half that kept the Sounders’ chances alive.
How different this franchise will seem after the retirement of Keller, who has been here from the start. Sounders goalkeepers? If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ’em all.
The godfather of American goalkeepers, Keller was always a steadying force, a veteran who had seen it all, and who had the competitive gravitas to verbally prod any teammate tempted to slack.
Keller was never a guy who came back to Seattle to cash in on his name. He was more than just a fan magnet, more than a symbol; he continued to be a big-time talent at the most important position.
He leaves big gloves to fill. The Sounders’ search for Keller’s heir will spur speculation until one is signed.
Wednesday’s outcome provided evidence that the Sounders’ on-field product continued to advance, as their 18-7-9 regular-season mark was the second best in MLS.
Aside from another U.S. Open Cup, the season was highlighted for fans by the first Cascadia Cup among new MLS rivals Portland and Vancouver. Portland’s visit in May triggered one of the most memorable moments for fans.
In one of the all-time classy putdowns in regional sports, Sounders fans – the Emerald City Supporters – filled the south end zone stands with 26,000 square feet of banners highlighting Seattle soccer history and dominance over Portland. I’ve never seen such a perfectly orchestrated display of fan involvement.
And on top of it, the Sounders scored a win and draw in two matches with Portland, and did the same against Vancouver.
They’ve still never won a playoff series. But they finally won at least a postseason game. Consider it another step forward in the evolution of a dynamic franchise.
Dave Boling: 253-597-8440 dave.boling@thenewstribune.com
