Real Salt Lake endured a battering to sneak past the Seattle Sounders and into the Western Conference finals
Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: RSL Advance on 3-2 Aggregate
Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake Live 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Less than 10 Minutes to Score
Seattle has held possession in the box quite a bit in the past few minutes, and RSL are playing an ice hockey-style of defending, where they will basically shift bodies to get a block on a shot from any angle. Although Seattle needs to make the best chances and not waste their time on low percentage chances, if they can provoke a handball on an RSL player in the box, they might draw another penalty. With time running out, they may need to resort to such desperate measures to get an equalizer.
Read Article >Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake Live 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Seattle Gets 2-0 Lead
This is what Sounders fans and the neutrals who wanted to be entertained were looking for, folks. Can Seattle get another in the last half hour?
Read Article >Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake Halftime 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Scoreless at the Half
Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake Live 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Beltran Makes Dramatic Save
Then, Seattle scored on Fredy Montero’s shot, but referee Jair Marrufo calls the goal back in the 43rd minute. Montero was judged to have fouled Nick Rimando by impeding him. The two players collided and Montero got a bloody lip and his goal disallowed for his effort. Looks like Seattle just can’t get a break.
Read Article >Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake Live 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Seattle Make Another Substitution
I suppose that Seattle is giving themselves as many obstacles as possible in order to make a comeback as incredible as they can. For now, they need to stay on the field and get a goal to even get started.
Read Article >ANIMATED: Pushing Guys Over Is Now Allowed In Soccer
Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake Live 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Fernandez Hurt, Cannot Continue
Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake, 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Will RSL Pass to Death?
Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake, MLS Cup Playoffs 2011: Lineups
RSL starters: Rimando; Russell, Schuler, Wingert, Beltran; Beckerman (c), Williams, Johnson, Morales; Espindola, Saborio. Bench: Reynish, McKenzie, Grabavoy, AAlvarez, Gil, Warner, Paulo Jr
Read Article >Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake, MLS Cup Playoffs 2011: Osvaldo Alonso Needs To Step It Up
Now the Sounders return home needing to erase a three-goal deficit. It’s do-able, but unlikely. If they are to pull it off, they will need an extraordinary performance from Alonso. He can’t look at all like the player he was in the first leg. He’ll have to be the player we saw all regular season, if not better.
Read Article >Mauro Rosales Injury Update: Sounders Don’t Expect Midfielder To Play
For mor news and analysis, be sure to check out Sounders blog Sounder at Heart.
Read Article >Mauro Rosales Injury Update: Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid Doesn’t Sound Optimistic
Without Rosales’ ability to hold possession and send it crosses, the Sounders looked downright feckless during Saturday’s destruction. The Sounders did not have a single shot on goal and really only had a couple decent scoring chances.
Read Article >Real Salt Lake Injury Update: Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave Will Both Travel


Real Salt Lake center backs Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers could both miss Wednesday’s MLS Cup playoff game against the Seattle Sounders. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) Getty ImagesLosing either center back would clearly be a blow to RSL, even if they are holding a huge lead. Heading into the playoffs, RSL had lost by at least three goals in 3 of their last 6 games. Olave and Borchers are clearly their two best defensive players and facing a Sounders team that scored at least three goals in 10 games this year, their presence would surely be missed.
Read Article >Seattle Sounders Vs. Real Salt Lake, 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Only Injuries Give Seattle Hope
Real Salt Lake are very heavy favorites to advance to the Western Conference finals, but this tie is not over yet. This game is still going to produce some great football, and if Seattle can score early, a whole lot of drama. CenturyLink Field will be loud and filled with 36,000 wearing Rave Green on Wednesday night, and it’ll be worth tuning in for that alone.
For more on the two teams leading up to the game, check out Seattle Sounders blog Sounder At Heart and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox. For more on the entire world of soccer and the rest of the MLS Cup Playoffs, check out SB Nation Soccer.
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