The mission for the Western Conference leading Seattle Sounders FC was never going to be easy. Cue the Mission Impossible music with Jim Phelps message ,” your mission should you accept it is to earn three points from the conferences last place team in Minnesota United FC a squad you to demolished 4-0 at their home. ” And by the way you have an appointment with Cascadia Rivals Vancouver Whitecaps Wednesday night in Vancouver and the Portland Timbers next Sunday here at CenturyLink Field.”
It was no surprise to the 40, 312 fans in attendance when there warriors fell behind 1-0 in the 21st minute courtesy of an Ethan Finley right footed shot. While they might not have liked it, the fans knew the game against Minnesota United was going to be a trap game given the previous games score and the Sounders upcoming rivalry games. The goal by Finley snapped the Sounders team record of 421 minutes without allowing a goal.
Credit the Sounders in that the effort was their, what was missing was the execution in the final third. After scoring the goal. Minnesota loaded players in the middle of the field, making it difficult for the Sounders to create any type of built up using the congested middle of the pitch.vInstead the Sounders used the width of the field given their sizable speed and quickness advantage.
The Sounders tied the game ten minutes when Chad Marshall headed home a Nicolas Lodeiro cross that was half was between the corner flag and the MUFC goal.
Minnesota continued its bend and don’t break defending all the way into extra time and it looked like the visitors would leave CenturyLink Field with a point. Unfortunately for the visitors, Jermaine Taylor was whistled for hand ball in the 93 minute and Seattle was awarded a penalty kick. Clint Dempsey rifled home the spot kick to give the Sounders the 2-1 win
