In an ugly game on a terrible surface that somehow ended without a Rapids player being sent off, Seattle's far superior quality won out. The Colorado took advantage of some very poor defense to go ahead in the 1st minute but Alvaro Fernandez leveled terms for the Sounders just five minutes later. Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz put the Rapids back ahead just minutes before halftime with an excellent strike from just outside the penalty area, but from there on out it was all Sounders. Roger Levesque scored a lovely backheel just five minutes into the second half to draw things level, and after long stretches of Sounders domination they finally broke through in the 82nd minute as Fredy Montero scored on a diving header off the rebound from Brad Evans attempt. Mauro Rosales took advantage of some poor Rapids defending fewer than two minutes later to seal the win for the Sounders, despite the Rapids getting one back just before extra time to make the last few minutes just a bit more nervy.
This wasn't Seattle's best game and the surface was clearly a problem for both teams, but they were the better side throughout and if anything the finals score likely flattered the visitors. This was not a close game in the run of play, and had the Sounders dropped points the leakiness of the defense would have been a far bigger topic of discussion. Without a few very uncharacteristic mistakes it's not hard to see this game finishing 4-1, and there's little doubt that this will be a topic of discussion at Sounders training this week. But with the Sounders attack rolling the way it is, some lapses can be tolerated. Seattle has scored ten goals in three games within the space of a week and it's difficult to remember a Sounders team that has looked this dangerous in attack.
With today's win, the Sounders unbeaten streak stands at eleven games in all competitions. In MLS play Seattle is unbeaten in nine, taking 21 of 27 points. That's an amazing run, and though it's difficult to think it's a pace that can be sustained for the remainder of the season it's gotten them into a position where they are very much in contention for the Supporters Shield. Given the way this season started, that's somewhat remarkable. With two weeks until Seattle's next MLS contest, we'll have a better sense of where things stand when the Sounders meet the Dynamo on July 30th. That kicks off a reasonably favorable stretch of league play for Seattle, and in reality when one looks at the schedule the only game that does not look like one the Sounders should expect to win is what looks to be a crucial visit to Dallas on August 20th.
Despite all that's happened this season, the Sounders are right where everyone thought they would be at the beginning of the year. There's still a ways to go and other competitions to consider, but this Seattle team is winning, and they're doing so in an incredibly entertaining fashion. Seattle has beaten teams that rely on speed and aerial assaults, teams that play highly technical, controlled, possession football, counter-attacking teams and today in the Rapids a crude, physical monster of a team. They're taking all comers. Runs of form such as these don't come along often, and it's quite simply a joy to watch.