Just a handful of days ago, Seattle Sounders were facing questions about how fit they were to advance in the MLS playoffs, after a controversial winner lifted the team over Sporting Kansas City despite them being vastly outplayed in the knockout round.
Nobody will be asking those questions now.
The Sounders pulled off the biggest surprise of the MLS playoffs so far, earning a dominating 3–0 win over Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup winners FC Dallas in the first leg of the teams’ Western Conference semifinal.
Nelson Valdez continued his role as unlikely playoff hero, opening the scoring in the 50th minute with a header after Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz failed to gather a cross from Joevin Jones.