There are must-win games in November. Tonight’s game is one of those. The Seattle Sounders must win, preferably by two or more goals. The Portland Timbers have the advantage due to their 2-1 win in leg one. But that away goal may enter play — if the Sounders and Stefan Frei can notch a shutout and Raúl Ruidíaz, Nicolas Lodeiro and crew can score a single goal the Sounders advance.
In many ways it is fitting that this potential final match is against Seattle’s biggest rival. It’s the narrative required in this year that feels like a movie.