There are paths to the playoffs that do not involve a win for Seattle Sounders or for Real Salt Lake. Both teams would much rather not have to worry about the scoreboard in the Vancouver-Portland and KC-San Jose matches. Seattle and Salt Lake are tied together in several ways. Garth Lagerwey’s imprint is on both teams. RSL won their MLS Cup here. Neither side is satisfied with their performance in 2016, and both could go on a run in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
ESPN picked this match as their featured game to end the regular season because both teams play exciting soccer.