SB Nation Seattle - Seattle Sounders Sink Toronto FC, 3-2: Toronto, Philadelphia Eliminated From MLS Playoffshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2010-10-02T14:34:38-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14903692010-10-02T14:34:38-07:002010-10-02T14:34:38-07:00Seattle Sinks Toronto 3-2
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<p>With Seattle’s win today, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> are officially out of the <span class="caps">MLS</span> playoffs for the fourth season running. While the Sounders have yet to mathematically clinch their own playoff berth, if Kansas City loses to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> today, the Wizards will be nine points back with four left to play. In other words, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> are sitting pretty (cross fingers to avoid a jinx).</p>
<p>Although Toronto opened the scoring with a goal by Dwayne DeRosario, the Sounders dominated the match, making a mockery of the Toronto defense. If it wasn't for Stephen Frei in goal, Seattle could have had at least another two to its name. Yet somehow, against the run of play, <span>Chad Barrett</span> scored in the 88th minute, unnerving Seattle and reviving Toronto somewhat.</p>
<p>Fortunately, Toronto couldn’t find an equalizer, and Seattle’s Swissman was greater than Toronto’s. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/blaise-nkufo">Blaise Nkufo</a> adding another goal to his tally, making five goals in three matches. Goals from <span>Steve Zakuani</span> and <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> bookended the one from Nkufo.</p>
<p>The match marked the 30th consecutive sellout for the Sounders in <span class="caps">MLS</span> play, with a full house watching Seattle take its point total to 42.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-sounders/2010/10/2/1726671/seattle-sinks-toronto-3-2Kirsten Schlewitz2010-10-02T14:28:25-07:002010-10-02T14:28:25-07:00Goalflash: Sounders 3-2 Toronto
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<p>Well, that came out of nowhere. I’d mostly tuned out the match, and apparently <span>Leo Gonzalez</span> had as well, letting <span>Chad Barrett</span> drift into the box and head the ball into the net.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-sounders/2010/10/2/1726662/goalflash-sounders-3-2-torontoKirsten Schlewitz2010-10-02T13:58:57-07:002010-10-02T13:58:57-07:00GOALFLASH!: Sounders 3-1 Toronto
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<p><span>Sanna Nyassi</span> grabs a loose ball in the Toronto box and finally, finally puts one in the back of the net. He’s had at least three one-on-one chances with the keeper, and although the rest haven’t even found the frame, this one found its way into the top corner.</p>
<p>Finally.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-sounders/2010/10/2/1726617/goalflash-sounders-3-1-torontoKirsten Schlewitz2010-10-02T13:05:44-07:002010-10-02T13:05:44-07:00GOALFLASH!: Sounders 2-1 Toronto
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<p>What a relief to watch a team that can come back from behind! After having absolutely no luck on set pieces this season, the Sounders are finally appearing to gel in that area. <span>Chad Barrett</span> with a late challenge on <span>James Riley</span> earned himself a yellow card and Seattle their second goal. Nate Sturgis drove in a surprisingly great free kick and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110895/blaise-nkufo">Blaise Nkufo</a>, completely unmarked, nodded the ball into the back of the net.</p>
<p>Nkufo continues his scoring streak in <span class="caps">MLS</span>, with five goals in the last three games.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-sounders/2010/10/2/1726548/goalflash-sounders-2-1-torontoKirsten Schlewitz2010-10-02T13:01:07-07:002010-10-02T13:01:07-07:00GOALFLASH!: Seattle 1-1 Toronto
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<p>Seattle wasn’t going to stand losing for long, letting just five minutes go by before <span>Osvaldo Alonso</span> drove the ball right through the Toronto defense, allowing <span>Steve Zakuani</span> to pick it up. Zakuani literally ran in circles around the Toronto keeper before slotting it into the net to pick up his ninth goal of the season.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-sounders/2010/10/2/1726534/goalflash-seattle-1-1-torontoKirsten Schlewitz2010-10-02T12:56:14-07:002010-10-02T12:56:14-07:00Goalflash: Toronto 1-0 Seattle
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<p><span>Dwayne De Rosario</span> scores for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a>, speeding down the pitch and putting the ball in the top right corner of the net. Absolutely against the run of play, and no idea why the defense was playing so far up.</p>
<p><span>Jeff Parke</span> apparently dislocated his finger on the play.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-sounders/2010/10/2/1726524/goalflash-toronto-1-0-seattleKirsten Schlewitz2010-10-02T11:18:03-07:002010-10-02T11:18:03-07:00Match Day: Seattle Sounders v Toronto FC
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> are in Seattle today, hoping for some sort of miracle to keep them in the playoff race. While the team is still mathematically within the realm of the possible, they are virtually out of the playoffs, while the MLS Final will be played in Toronto. The team is a mess, the fans are upset, and Dave Clark from Sounder at Heart covers all this <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sounderatheart.com/2010/10/2/1726074/scouting-report-what-the-hell-happened-to-tfc#storyjump">in much more depth </a>than I ever could.</p>
<p>The Sounders, on the other hand, keep going from strength to strength. Since losing to the Galaxy on July 4, Seattle has picked up 24 points from a possible 33, with only one loss in those eleven league matches. Sure, they haven't been at their best in CONCACAF play, but midweek they finally found CCL points with a 2-0 win over Marathón. <span>Mike Fucito</span> scored a brace and then limped off with a swollen ankle, so apparently we need to find some bubble wrap for Mr. Jelly-Knee. Keep that man healthy.</p>
<p>With the Sounders playing mostly their b-side (although what a b-side!) on Wednesday night, it's likely they'll send out the A-Team tonight, with the exception of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110948/alvaro-fernandez">Alvaro Fernandez</a>. Sigi Schmid really doesn't want to start him in a league match, it appears, although he'll have no choice next week as <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> has been called up to Gambia for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Speaking of call-ups, <span>Terry Boss</span> is unavailable today, as he's off playing for Puerto Rico. Seattle will dip into the MLS pool of emergency backup keepers to cover themselves in case something unthinkable happens to <span>Kasey Keller</span>.</p>
<p>Three points today should ensure Seattle's place in the MLS playoffs. The situation is ideal: in the friendly confines of Qwest, against a struggling team, with a team that just seems to keep getting better and better. Yet the Sounders also have a trophy to defend on Tuesday night--will that change the way they approach today's match?</p>
<p>I'm sure if Blaise Nkufo has his way, the Sounders will be seeking to win twice in three days, helped on by his flurry of goals.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/10/2/2321933/match-day-seattle-sounders-v-toronto-fcKirsten Schlewitz