Will Bruin scored twice as the Sounders, who are still alive for a first-round bye, beat Dallas 4-0.
It was so simple, in retrospect.
In the 31st minute of Sunday’s match between the Sounders and FC Dallas at CenturyLink Field, Seattle’s Clint Dempsey gathered a bouncing ball in the middle of his attacking half. Dallas defender Matt Hedges took an unwise step forward to cut Dempsey off, allowing Victor Rodriguez to sprint into the space he vacated toward goal. Dempsey’s pass hit Rodriguez in stride, and the Spanish winger curled a shot inside the right-hand post and the Sounders led 1-0.