FC Dallas awaits winner of Sounders-LAFC

If the Seattle Sounders advance past Los Angeles FC in Tuesday’s first-round match, they’ll be facing a familiar foe in the Western Conference semifinals after FC Dallas upset the Portland Timbers on Sunday.

The Sounders have faced FC Dallas in four of the previous six postseasons. The Sounders have won three of those matchups, including last year’s thrilling 4-3 overtime win in the first round. The Sounders are 3-0-1 with three straight wins against Dallas at home in their playoff meetings, with the lone blemish being a 0-0 tie in 2014 that was still enough to advance.

To set up the potential rematch, Dallas first had to get past the Timbers. Dallas gave up the bulk of the possession and was out-shot 22-12, but arguably had the better scoring chances. Dallas had a first-half goal waved off by VAR for offside and came inches away from an 89th minute equalizer before Ricardo Pepi converted his own rebound in the 93rd minute to send the game into extra time.

After 30 more scoreless minutes, the teams went on to a penalty shootout where both sides converted their first seven attempts. In the eighth round, FC Dallas’ Ema Twumasi converted his attempt before Jimmy Maurer stuffed Jorge Villafaña to win it. The Timbers are so far the only home team to lose in the playoffs this year.

Neither the Sounders nor LAFC have faced FC Dallas this season.