Seattle Sounders FC progressed to MLS Cup by defeating Colorado Rapids 1-0, 3-1 on aggregate, after a hard-fought second leg of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference Final.
Here’s how the Sounders’ players rated.
GK: Stefan Frei (6/10) – Produced an unorthodox save, which was unconvincingly fumbled away following a 25th minute Colorado corner and may have led to a Jermaine Jones goal. The usually dependable Frei looked flustered on numerous occasions, aside from a good stop from a Marlon Hairston attempt.
RB: Tyrone Mears (7/10) – Seemingly targeted by Colorado, as most of the Rapids early dominance was directed towards Seattle’s right side. A defensively sound performance by both Mears and left back Joevin Jones.
CB: Roman Torres (6/10) – Booked in the 13th minute after petulant close range blocking of a free kick. Did well to keep the waves of Colorado attacks at bay in the first half, but looked shaky in possession.
CB: Chad Marshall (7/10) – Organised the defence, including the erratically positioned Torres, with a sense of urgency and responsibility. Will be vital if Seattle are to go on and win MLS Cup for the first time in their history.
LB: Joevin Jones (7/10) – Did not get forward as much as usual – possibly due to the indecisiveness of the narrow 2-1 first leg lead. When required to ‘stick or twist’, full backs Jones and Mears chose the former on too many occasions.
CM: Osvaldo Alonso (7/10) – The usually decisive Alonso was subdued in the first half by the duo of Dillon Powers and Michael Azira. Grew into the second half – but suffered injury and had to be replaced by Oniel Fisher in the 74th minute.
CM: Cristian Roldan (7/10) – The young American possesses plenty of potential as a composed and energetic presence in midfield. Roldan, like Alonso, experienced a better second half and helped the Sounders secure their spot in MLS Cup.
AM: Andreas Ivanschitz (5/10) – Had no significant effect in the game and after a disappointing first half showing was replaced by the Uruguayan Alvaro Fernandez (6/10) after 51 minutes.
AM: Nicolas Lodeiro (7/10) – Seattle’s main man was not at his most influential and despite attempts to get on the ball and make plays happen for the Sounders, seemed to be out-muscled by the physicality of the Rapids’ game.
AM: Jordan Morris (9/10) – MLS Rookie of the Year and one of Seattle’s most talented, Morris looked subdued in a one-sided first half dominated by Colorado. However, it was Morris’ tidy finish on 55 minutes that stretched Seattle’s aggregate lead to 3-1 and the forward was outstanding despite playing with injuries.
FW: Nelson Valdez (7/10) – The 32-year-old worked tirelessly and assisted on Morris’ goal – providing his first assist in 28 MLS games in the process. Occupied Colorado’s defence effectively enough.
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