Seattle clinches playoff berth and a home wild-card match
Seattle played its way into the postseason, but can it clear a wild-card match with the top seed waiting beyond it?
On November 7, Albert Rusnák scored and assisted as Seattle beat Los Angeles FC 2-1 to finish eighth in the West and secure a home wild-card match.
Seattle began the final day of the regular season outside the playoff places, then beat Los Angeles FC 2-1 to finish eighth in the Western Conference. [19] Albert Rusnák scored in the first minute and supplied an assist, helping the Sounders secure a home wild-card match against Real Salt Lake. [19]
Open original · [19] Rusnák helps Sounders clinch playoff spot with 2-1 victory over LAFC; will host wild-card match — apnews.com
Seattle began the final day of the regular season outside the playoff places, then beat Los Angeles FC 2-1 to finish eighth in the Western Conference. [19] Albert Rusnák scored in the first minute and supplied an assist, helping the Sounders secure a home wild-card match against Real Salt Lake. [19]
Why it matters: Seattle supporters went from facing elimination to having a postseason match at home: the Sounders will host Real Salt Lake, with the winner advancing to face top-seeded Vancouver Whitecaps. [19]
Key insights: Rusnák contributed directly to both Seattle goals, scoring immediately and then adding an assist. [19] | Seattle finished the regular season 12-12-10, yet its final-day victory was enough to move it from outside the playoff places into eighth. [19] | Qualification does not put Seattle directly into a matchup with Vancouver: Real Salt Lake is the first opponent in a separate wild-card match. [19]
Cheatsheet facts: What happened: Seattle beat Los Angeles FC 2-1 on Decision Day and secured eighth place in the Western Conference. [19] | Background: Decision Day is the regular-season finale; Seattle’s eighth-place finish earns it a wild-card match before a possible meeting with top-seeded Vancouver. [19] | Why: Albert Rusnák scored in the first minute and assisted on Seattle’s other goal. [19] | The catch: Seattle must beat Real Salt Lake in the wild-card match to advance to face Vancouver Whitecaps. [19] | What's next: The Sounders will host Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference wild-card match. [19]