The Seattle Sounders enjoyed an offensive explosion Saturday night at the Home Depot Center, winning 6-2 over Chivas USA. With two games in hand over MLS Western Conference rival Real Salt Lake, the Sounders are level with RSL in the conference standings at 43 points following Seattle's 6-2 victory in Carson, Calif.
Fredy Montero's first career hat trick -- the fourth in Sounders club history -- put the Sounders into second place with a 12-6-7 record.
Th Sounders have a CONCACAF Champions League match this week, then go to Texas to face FC Dallas (a team that needs wins to improve its playoff chances) on Sept. 2. The Vancouver Whitecaps, despite a 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers over the weekend, continue to hold down the fifth and final playoff spot in the West, five points up on Dallas.
The Sounders have played 25 matches and have nine left in the regular season. Winners of four of their last five MLS matches, they're aiming for their fourth playoff appearance in four seasons of existence.
For more on the Sounders, head over to Sounder At Heart.