SEATTLE - Big players step up and deliver when it matters most, and U.S. international Clint Dempsey was the man up to the task for Seattle. Dempsey scored a second half brace to help Sounders FC advance past Vancouver with a 2-0 total aggregate win. Vancouver simply did not show anything going forward, and 'Deuce Dempsey' made conservative Whitecaps FC pay. The Caps never looked to be anywhere close to scoring.
Stefan Frei earned himself a pair of clean-sheets, and was only required to make one save combined in both matches. Stefan Marinovic was beaten by a lovely curling Dempsey shot, and a back post tap in. Sounders FC will take on Portland Timbers FC or Houston Dynamo in the MLS western conference finals.
The Caps let first place slip away, and just as they turned on the fountain of offensive vs San Jose in the knockout round, they scoring well quickly dried up against Seattle. The better team won over the two-leg series, and while it was close, it really wasn't. You just had a feeling that Sounders FC were eventually going to score, and Vancouver wasn't.
The Opening 45
Carl Robinson elected to go with his strongest possible lineup, as playmakers, Cristian Techera and Yordy Reyna returned to the starting eleven. Clint Dempsey returned from his one-match suspension to anchor the Seattle offence.
Once again, it was quite the tentative opening forty-five. The pace, and build up was much better than the first leg in Vancouver, but the scoring in the final third was evidently missing.
The rain pounded CenturyLink Field, with thunder and lightning making an appearance. The element didn't help Vancouver, but they played a part in an injury to a full-back.
The boo birds were out in full force in the 32' as Jake Nerwinski slipped with a shirt pull on Seattle's Nouhou inside the Whitecaps FC box. Initially, referee Baldomero Toledo did not award a penalty. VAR reviewed the play and stuck with the original non call on the pitch.
Subsequently, Nerwinski was attended to by Vancouver trainers and helped to the sidelines. The rookie right-back had to exit the match with a left hamstring strain. Left-back, Jordan Harvey entered the match and played on the right side.
Heading into halftime, Vancouver was still looking for their first shot on target in the two-leg series. Seattle held a 56% - 44% possession advantage, with the series tied 0-0.
The Second Half
The match required a goal to get things going, and Sounders FC were the first to break through with a goal from who else, but Clint Dempsey in the 56' minute.
Will Bruin played a back-heel, that by-passed a falling Harry Shipp. Dempsey was in prime position, and he rifled the ball through a maze of players, finding the back of the net from just inside the top of the box.
Vancouver was forced to open things up in search of a coveted away goal. A 1-1 score-line would have seen the Caps advance to the conference finals, but it never materialized.
Alphonso Davies made his MLS Cup Playoff debut, and coincidently on his 17th birthday. Vancouver took their sweet time registering their first shot on target, as it came in the 65' minute of the second leg. Christian Bolanos broke free with a running header on target that Stefan Frei easily handled.
The Caps desperately needed a goal, but their offence tank was running on empty. They had nothing remotely close in the way of scoring opportunities. Seattle did well to keep the ball in Vancouver's half and hold Whitecaps FC from advancing forward.
Although Vancouver needed to score, it was Sounders FC who delivered a dagger in the 88' minute. Off a Seattle corner, Victor Rodriguez played a cross to the Caps back post. Clint Dempsey beat Jordan Harvey, and had the ball tap in off his thigh, and into the net.
The likes of Fredy Montero, Christian Bolanos, Yordy Reyna, and Brek Shea struggled to attack on the counter, and did not make things difficult for Stefan Frei. The Swiss shot-stopper was playing in front of a fantastic back-four that owned Vancouver.
Man of the Match
Clint Dempsey
Dempsey made the difference for Seattle in a conference semifinal with every square inch of the pitch contested. Dempsey was able to put Sounders FC on his back and deliver two clutch goals. Vancouver gave Dempsey a sliver of time and space, and it was all he needed to take advantage for a brace. He was by far the top man on the night, and the reason why Seattle is moving on.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: Stefan Marinovic; Marcel de Jong, 81 (Brek Shea), Tim Parker, Kendall Waston(C), Jake Nerwinski, 36 (Jake Nerwinski); Aly Ghazal, Nosa; Cristian Techera, 64 (Alphonso Davies), Yordy Reyna, Christian Bolanos; Fredy Montero. 4-2-3-1.
Seattle Sounders Starting XI: Stefan Frei; Nouhou, Chad Marshall, Roman Torres, Kelvin Leerdam; Nicolas Lodiero(C), Cristian Roldan; Joevin Jones, 60 (Gustav Svensson) Clint Dempsey, Harry Shipp, 67 (Victor Rodriguez); Will Bruin, 90 (Lamar Neagle). 4-2-3-1.
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