Sounders FC is moving on in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, but players and fans will have to wait until Thursday night to learn who’s coming to town next.
The Sounders will host either FC Dallas or Vancouver Whitecaps FC in first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, with the time of game to be determined after the Knockout Round concludes Thursday night. The second leg of the semifinals will take place on Nov. 8.
The Sounders knocked off the LA Galaxy 3-2 in the Knockout Round on Wednesday night, the first time Seattle has advanced past the Galaxy in the postseason in franchise history.
Now they’ll wait and see who wins between Sporting Kansas City and the host Portland Timbers on Thursday night. If the Timbers win, the Sounders will be the lowest seed remaining in the Western Conference and will play top-seeded Dallas.
If sixth-seeded Kansas City springs the upset, however, SKC will be the lowest seed and Seattle will host second-seeded Vancouver.
Seattle defeated Dallas in the Western Conference Semifinals last year when the teams tied 1-1 on aggregate but the Sounders notched the only away goal of the series. They finished 1-0-1 against Dallas this season, with a scoreless draw in Dallas on March 28 and a 3-0 win in Seattle on June 13.
The Sounders and Whitecaps have never met in the postseason, but they did play five times across all competitions this year. The Sounders finished 2-1-0 against the ‘Caps during the regular season, sandwiching two wins at BC Place around a loss at CenturyLink Field this summer.
They also went 1-0-1 against the ‘Caps in Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League play, including a 3-0 win at CenturyLink Field on Sept. 23 that secured the team’s passage into the SCCL quarterfinals next year.
With the win over LA on Wednesday night, the Sounders are now 5-2-3 all-time at home in the postseason.
