Seattle Sounders Will Have No Trouble Against FC Dallas
By Jackee Arce
@knackeredwriter
Steven Bisig – USA TODAY Sports
On Wednesday, FC Dallas took on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first knockout round of the 2014 MLS playoffs. It was an ugly match, which neither club should be proud of. Dallas were the victors, only because of a controversial late penalty kick awarded to Dallas. Whether Dallas deserved the penalty kick is debatable to some — although a handball in the box is almost always penalty kick worthy — but neither club truly deserved to win. Extra time may have sprouted a true leader, but the penalty saved the clubs from having to put out the extra energy.
Now, Dallas is set to face off against Supporters’ Shield champions Seattle Sounders, which should be scary to Dallas. Seattle are coming off of an amazing season. They where neck-and-neck with the Los Angeles Galaxy for the shield, but rightfully claimed their prize after a back-to-back series against Galaxy. Galaxy put up a fight, but in the end Seattle was the club to play its best and capitalize on any errors Galaxy gave them.
Dallas will be no challenge for Seattle unless by some miracle Dallas make a complete turn around in the four days it has to prepare. Seattle is full of confidence and will have had more days to rest their legs, and there is no chance Clint Dempsey will let the opportunity to win the Treble slip out of his hands. Seattle won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the Supporters’ Shield and now they have a real chance to earn the Treble by winning the MLS Cup. They are going to take this first match very seriously.
Seattle have two matches against Dallas before heading to the Western Conference Championship. It shouldn’t be too much of a challenge, and they have no reason to rack up bookings that may hurt their lineup for the conference championship. Playing against a shaky Dallas may be the best thing that could have happened for Seattle.
The question will be whether they will have to take on revenge-seeking Galaxy or familiar opponents Real Salt Lake in the conference championship.
Jackee Arce is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @knackeredwriter, like her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
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