The Sounders force a game 3, where the winner advances

After losing 3 games to Minnesota this season, the Sounders forced the Loons to return to Minnesota where the winner will advance to the next round of the playoffs, and the season will end for the losers.

The Sounders jumped all over the Loons in the first half as Obed Vargas, Jordan Morris, and Danny Musovski scored to give the Sounders a commanding 3-0 lead. The Rave Green had changed their formation to having multiple strikers up front, which paid off in this game, where both of the strikers scored in the first half.

Vargas was a runner-up for a young player award this year. Musovski had a career year and was the season's leader in goals. Jordan Morris is the Sounders' all-time leading goalscorer, and this was his first goal since returning from a significant injury that had him miss a significant chunk of the season.

The Sounders then squandered their lead during the first half stoppage time, giving up 2 goals in the waning moments of the half, which caused an ample amount of trepidation as the fans felt their season slipping away.

In the second half, Vargas hit the post on a shot before making another run on a Paul Rothrock pass to him that went off a defender and into the back of the net for his second goal of the game. 6 goals in the game were a bit unexpected after the first game was a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation.

The Sounders will give it another go against Minnesota in an attempt to prolong their season on Saturday.

The Sounders have youthful exuberance mixed with veteran resolve that gives them the advantage that has made them the team to beat in the MLS. Their depth gives them options to match up with other teams, and the players are hungry to earn more time on the pitch.

Winning the MLS Cup after winning the Leagues Cup will go a long way to establishing the Rave Green as the gold standard to which all other teams are measured. If they fail to win this year, that is the next level that they will need to reach.