The Seattle Sounders advanced through the playoffs of Major League Soccer after defeating the Los Angles Football Club. It was a grueling, wet 90 minutes in the newly renamed Lumen Field in Seattle; where the Sounders were able to come out on top and head through to the next round of the MLS Cup race. For the Sounders, this means that they will face FC Dallas in Seattle for the conference semifinals on December 1.

The Sounders have made 12 consecutive postseason appearances and have won two MLS Cups since entering the MLS in 2009. On top of that, three Sounders players have made the 2020 MLS Best XI team, recognized for their talent and performance during this season. These players are Jordan Morris (forward), Raúl Ruidíaz (forward), and Sounders captain Nicolás Lodeiro (midfielder). The Sounders trio put on a masterclass performance against LAFC, each scoring a goal that put their team one step closer to another MLS championship. After the match, Sounders head coach Brain Schmetzer spoke about the mindset of Jordan Morris and his team going into the playoffs as defending champions.

“I’m happy when I don’t have to speak that, I don’t have to say those words when Jordan Morris, one of the nicest kids I know by the way, is talking about mental toughness and determination and drive and integrity and push and doing things,” Schmetzer said. “When he says that, then I know we’ve got a good squad.”

The Sounders have faced many unprecedented challenges this season and despite being knocked out of the MLS is Back tournament this past summer, they have bounced back and showed the MLS why they are capable of winning back-to-back championships. The away win against LAFC in the 2019 MLS Cup semifinals and now a round one win against LAFC at home shows the Sounders can stay consistent in their performance. The build-up to the rematch against LAFC was something Schmetzer was aware of beforehand, and he needed to get his team in the right shape for it.

“…. this was a very highly anticipated match,” Schmetzer said. “And we were able to execute the game plan, the big three again had a big hand in that…”

The Sounder’s next opponent, FC Dallas, creates yet another rematch for the Sounders in the playoffs. In 2019, the Sounders faced Dallas at home which came down to a 113-minute winner in extra time scored by Jordan Morris to put the Sounders through to the conference semifinals. This time around, FC Dallas are arriving in Seattle with a win against Sounder rivals, the Portland Timbers. This upcoming match will for sure pose some challenges for both teams, but it is nothing the Sounders cannot handle.