A season that saw the Seattle Sounders 10 points out of playoff position at one point will end with their eighth straight season and at least one home game. Alvaro Fernandez and Cristian Roldan each scored first-half goals as the Sounders topped Real Salt Lake 2-1 on Sunday.
The Sounders will host Sporting Kansas City in the first round while RSL visit the LA Galaxy after the Portland Timbers fell 4-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps and will miss the playoffs a year after winning MLS Cup.
The Sounders looked intent on leaving nothing to chance.
On a crucial day for the Sounders’ playoff hopes, Brian Schmetzer fielded a team almost identical to last week’s against Dallas, except for the return of the formerly suspended Osvaldo Alonso.