FULL-TIME: Raúl Ruidíaz scored a first-half brace and the Seattle Sounders survived some close calls to beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on Saturday. With the win, the Sounders claimed the Cascadia Cup for the first time since 2015 and moved into fifth place in the Western Conference, one point behind fourth-place Real Salt Lake with two games in hand.

WHITECAPS 1, SOUNDERS 2: Kai Kamara’s aerial domination finally came good just before halftime. After winning a corner — somewhat controversially — after a collision with Stefan Frei, Kamara got free of Chad Marshall and skied over Osvaldo Alonso for a header goal that cut the Sounders’ lead in half.

WHITECAPS 0, SOUNDERS 2: Just a few minutes after the Sounders narrowly avoided going down to 10 men, they doubled their lead behind a second Raúl Ruidíaz goal. This one came courtesy of a sloppy square pass that Ruidiaz easily intercepted and then rounded the goalkeeper before scoring easily.

Just a few minutes earlier, referee Robert Sobiga decided to give Osvaldo Alonso a yellow card after reviewing a tackle he made on Alphonso Davies at the top of the box. A red card would have certainly be harsh, as Alonso hit Davies after winning a 50/50 ball, but we’ve certainly seen lesser tackles called.

WHITECAPS 0, SOUNDERS 1: Raúl Ruidíaz gave the Sounders a 21st minute lead when he poked in a cross from Kelvin Leerdam at the near post. The play was set up with some nice interplay at the top of the box between Harry Shipp and Cristian Roldan, who then put Leerdam in on the wing.

The Whitecaps probably should have taken the lead on an earlier chance but Nicolas Mezquida missed an open chance from a Kei Kamara knock down.

LINEUPS: For the third straight week, the Seattle Sounders will roll out the same starting lineup. The only real question had been if Raúl Ruidíaz was as fit as he said he was, but it appears he’s fine enough to start.

This may be the Seattle Sounders most difficult remaining away match. They face a regional rival (JOEtv, 7 PM) that is also competing for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The unstoppable Rave Green Force paused during their epic run so emotion and will may have faded during the international break. Vancouver Whitecaps know that if they are to pop over the red line they most get points against Seattle.

It should be an epic match, with MLS Commissioner Don Garber in attendance. The biggest sale in MLS history is on the field, as are two of the largest purchases in the league history. This is soccer in the US and Canada — rivalry, pageantry, history, quality and a fight for the second season.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle: Felix Chenkam and Jordan Morris are both out. They are the only players on the injury report.

Whitecaps: Yordy Reyna is suspended. Vancouver lists no players as out. Aaron Maund is questionable.

Jordy Delem will be suspended for accumulation if he takes a single yellow card. Jose Aja, Efrain Juarez, Cristian Techera, Brek Shea, Nicolas Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan, Jordan McCrary, and Nouhou are all two yellows from accumulation.

Robert Sibiga is the center referee. His video assistant is Geoff Gamble.

nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in alto

you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep

this is our Sound

Keys to the Game:

• Prepare for late onslaught. Vancouver ups the tempo in the final 15 with 29 total goals scored in the waning moments of the match. Seattle has scored & allowed only 11 in that same time.
• Pressure backline. Whitecaps have six penalties scored agains them, second most in the league.
• Track Alphonso Davies. The left-winger is a true difference maker who can blaze down the line and slot passes.
• Willpower. Whenever down and out the Rave Green seem to rally. They have no fear. Their power of will pushes them beyond the talent on the field.

In this place of black and grey and dark...
the green shall be my light, my hope, my strength.

All that is good is all I defend.
I shall not falter.

How I'm watching

Outfit: Something business casual

Scarf: Enemy’s Goal Is Down

Where: From Cheney Stadium while calling an S2 game

North America will hear us

• $1

Available in multiple styles, cuts and colors.

• $1 at Web Community Tees

How to Watch

Match date/time: Sept 15 at 7:00 PM

Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia

Online Streaming: YouTube TV (Seattle & Spokane markets), ESPN + (subject to blackouts)

Local English TV: JOEtv (Costigan, Keller, Zakuani, Scott)

Local Radio: 950 KJR-AM Seattle (Johnson, Jackson)

Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)

International TV

Asia: BeIN Sports (ASIA) | Australia: BeIN Sports (AUS) | Middle East & North Africa: Abu Dhabi Sports | Singapore: Starhub | Vietnam: SCTV

Lineups

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

This is Seattle Sounders at Vancouver Whitecaps; watch with us