The Seattle Sounders defeated FC Dallas 1-0 on Tuesday night in the Western Conference Semifinals at Lumen Field behind a 49th-minute goal from center back Shane O’Neill. The win is Seattle’s 14th straight postseason home win.
The Sounders ousted FC Dallas from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season after downing the Texans 4-3 last year in an extra time thriller.
The opening half featured little action, with neither goalkeeper registering a save. Shortly after the second-half kickoff, O’Neill rose to meet a Nicolás Lodeiro header and place it past Jimmy Maurer for the match-winner.
Dallas had two golden chances in the 63rd-minute when Michael Barrios hit the post and Andrés Ricuarte’s rebound was blocked by Yeimar.
The Sounders will take on the winner of the other Western Conference Semifinals match between Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
O’NEILL DELIVERS
The Sounders’ defender picked a great time to score his first goal in a Sounders uniform. The tally was also his first since 2016 when he was playing in the Netherlands and his first in MLS since 2014 with the Colorado Rapids. He also played a brilliant game defensively alongside Yeimar in central defense to keep a shutout.
LODEIRO MAKES HISTORY
With the cross on O’Neill’s goal, Lodeiro recorded an assist in his sixth straight postseason match, passing the legendary David Beckham for the MLS record. Lodeiro also extended his franchise lead with nine career assists in 19 playoff matches.
SPORTING OR MINNESOTA AWAIT
The Sounders will take on either No. 1 seed SKC or No. 4 Minnesota United, who face off on Thursday night. If Sporting wins, the match will be held in Kansas City. If Minnesota wins, the Sounders will host the Western Conference Final as they look for their fourth conference title in five seasons.
