|
The defending champions will travel to Toronto
for the Dec. 9 final after dispatching Houston 5-0 on aggregate,
cruising to victory over a weakened Dynamo side, who were
reduced to 10 men after 66 minutes and missing ailing marksman
Romell Quioto.
"It's a tremendous opportunity," Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei
told reporters of the chance to repeat as champions against
top-seeded Toronto. "We're going to give it our best shot to
take advantage of it."
The second-seeded Sounders were barely pushed by the
fourth-seeded Dynamo as Seattle managed to avoid conceding a
goal for an MLS-record sixth straight post-season tie and
extended their unbeaten home streak to 15 games.
Seattle's last home loss came at the hands of Toronto FC on May
1 but they will need to travel to Canada for the final due to
their opponent's superior regular-season record.
Victor Rodriguez opened the scoring for the Sounders at the
mid-point of the first half when he lifted a deft chip over
Houston keeper Joe Willis and Clint Dempsey doubled the lead in
the 57th minute, tapping in a low cross from Joevin Jones.
Will Bruin completed the rout with another chip past an
out-rushing Willis in the 73rd minute to send the 45,298
green-clad Seattle fans into a frenzy on a cool and clear
evening.
Houston's main threat came from Tomas Martinez, who had two
smart shots saved by Frei late in the first half before he was
dismissed after the break for shoving Jordy Delem on the back of
the head while the Seattle midfielder was lying on the ground.
The pair had made initial contact while jumping for a high ball
and the red card came after a video review of the incident by
the referee.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by John O'Brien)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
