Sounders pick up six pack, party in Tukwila

The game did not get out of hand early, but it did get out of hand. At half only up two goals Seattle Sounders FC came out and doused the Fire. No one player looked dominant, they all dominated. Kenny Cooper earned the Man of the Match with two goals and two assists, edging out Andy Rose (2 goals), Marco Pappa (2 assists), Stefan Frei (clean sheet), DeAndre Yedlin (1 assist, great crosses, giving his shirt to an Academy player) [aside, do I really need to list every player?].

Against an MLS team Seattle looked as dominant as ever. Despite playing at Starfire there were several passing sequences that built chains 10 players long. While playing at Starfire the fresh legs up and down the spine played as well as expected. Chicago is not a good team, but they played mainly starters.

Sounders FC's lineup consisted of only six regular starters (Frei, Yedlin, Evans, Neagle, Alonso, Pappa) and four rotational players (Anibaba, Scott, Cooper, Barrett) and Rose. Rose earned his first start in five months. That time was mainly lost to a knee injury, but also to the depth and quality of a team that could afford to give him time. Rose probably had his best match ever. He dominated playing both ways.

The victory over Chicago puts Seattle in the final for the fifth time in six years. The trip to face the Union will be in a long road trip and challenge the depth of the squad. Then again, so was a match on Wednesday after a Sunday night game.

Hail Hydra