After another slow start to the season the Seattle Sounders have found their way back into the MLS playoffs.
Seattle punched their playoff ticket with a 2-1 win over Orlando City on Wednesday, scoring twice inside the first 15 minutes to blow the game open and holding on as Orlando City made a late push.
Two sloppy bits of defense from the home side let the Sounders jump out in front, with Víctor Rodríguez left unmarked top loft a floated ball over Orlando goalkeeper Adam Grinwis to open the scoring just over two minutes into the match.
Rodríguez turned provider 10 minutes later, but Handwalla Bwana was left with entirely too much space as he cut in from the left and found the far corner to put the visiting side 2-0 up.
Orlando made a late push, Dom Dwyer netting just before the hour mark to cut the lead in half, but Seattle held out to clinch their spot in the postseason.
The Sounders, MLS Cup champions in 2016 and cup finalists in 2017, started the 2018 season in bad way, picking up just one win in their first seven games. But, as has become tradition of late, the club made a staggering turnaround in the second half of the season.
Wednesday's win left Seattle with just two losses in its last 17 outings.
In the process, the Sounders tied an MLS record with 10 straight playoff appearances.
There is still plenty to play for in Seattle, however.
With two matches remaining in the regular season the Sounders have climbed to third place in the Western Conference and could still finish in one of the top two places, which would give the club a first-round playoff bye.
Seattle closes the season with matches against the Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes.
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