Every autumn since 2009, Sounders FC has given its supporters an opportunity to watch the club host a match in the postseason. The brisk Pacific Northwest air, bright lights at CenturyLink Field and a quest for the MLS Cup trophy on everyone’s minds? Sounds like today’s match has the making for another classic showdown in the Emerald City.
Ahead of Seattle’s first postseason match of 2015, let’s take a look back at each postseason fixture played on the Xbox Pitch.
2009
October 29: Western Conference Semifinal (Leg One)
Sounders FC 0, Houston Dynamo 0
In the club’s first-ever postseason match, Kasey Keller posted a shutout against a Dynamo team that won two of the previous three MLS Cups.
2010
October 31: Western Conference Semifinal (Leg One)
Sounders FC 0, LA Galaxy 1
This Halloween match didn’t feature in any ghouls from the hosts, but it marked the first of three postseason series against LA over the next five seasons.
2011
November 2: Western Conference Semifinal (Leg Two)
Sounders FC 2, Real Salt Lake 0
The Sounders secured their first postseason victory after netting two goals in a five-minute stretch in the second half. Osvaldo Alonso scored a penalty in the 56th minute, which was quickly followed by a goal by Lamar Neagle as Seattle outshot RSL 26-4.
2012
November 2: Western Conference Final (Leg One)
Sounders FC 0, Real Salt Lake 0
The two sides squared off once again in the playoffs, with Seattle posting the second in a string of three consecutive postseason shutouts against RSL. Six days later, a 1-0 win at Rio Tinto Stadium would advance the Rave Green to the conference championship for the first time.
November 18: Western Conference Championship (Leg Two)
Sounders FC 2, LA Galaxy 1
Eddie Johnson scored in the 12th minute and Zach Scott added another tally in the 57th minute, but a converted penalty kick from Robbie Keane in the 68th minute ended Seattle’s hopes at a miraculous comeback. The club entered the match in a three-score hole from the first leg.
2013
October 30: Western Conference Knockout Round
Sounders FC 2, Colorado Rapids 0
Under a new playoff format, the Sounders survived the knockout stage despite a red card to goalkeeper Michael Gspurning. Brad Evans scored in the 28th minute and Eddie Johnson secured the win late with a stoppage-time tally.
November 2: Western Conference Semifinal (Leg One)
Sounders FC 1, Portland Timbers 2
In the first-ever playoff series for what some consider the best rivalry in MLS, Portland escaped CenturyLink Field with a 2-1. Osvaldo Alonso scored a late goal, but it wasn’t enough to overcome tallies from Portland’s Darlington Nagbe and Ryan Johnson.
2014
November 10: Western Conference Semifinal (Leg Two)
Sounders FC 0, FC Dallas 0
After recording a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Sounders FC needed either a win or a scoreless draw to advance. Seattle settled for the latter as it reached the conference championship for the second time in club history.
November 30: Western Conference Championship (Leg Two)
Sounders FC 2, LA Galaxy 1
After jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals by Brad Evans and Clint Dempsey, the Sounders looked poised to reach its first MLS Cup Final. However, a second half goal by Juninho advanced the Galaxy on the away goals rule.
