Sounders crash out of MLS Cup Playoffs as Portland puts on show

You watched the game. You know the score. You understand the pain of trying to write about who scored when and how.

So ignore those things. Seattle Sounders FC lost to the Portland Timbers in the MLS Cup Playoffs. They lost both legs of the series. In one leg they looked pretty good and unlucky and in the second they looked horrible and unfortunate.

Winning that Knockout Round feels pretty meaningless. Losing to the Timbers and again failing to reach the Cup Final hurts.

There was some nobility at the end of the match. That was pretty nice. Seeing local boy gone star score against Portland was great. EJ scoring? Also cool.

It is not enough. And yet, that's true for all but one team every year. Nine teams seasons ended without a chance. Two more couldn't get by the Knockout Round. Seattle, New York, New England and Los Angeles all sit aside and watch the final four teams attempt to be the one side that ends happy.

You don't need a game recap. You need a place to vent. At this point you don't need a season recap either.

The emotions are raw. Our rules are simple;

• address the idea, not the person
• don't be a bigot
• don't attack people merely for their membership in a group