The game in 100 words (or less): The field for the conference finals of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs will consist of zero 1-seeds and a singular 2-seed after Supporters’ Shield-winning FC Dallas were ousted from the postseason by the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, despite winning 2-1 on the night, falling 4-2 on aggregate. Nicolas Lodeiro, who bagged a brace in the first leg, scored his third of the playoffs to give Brian Schmetzer’s side a vital away goal early in the second half. Sunday’s haul gives Lodeiro seven goals and assists (regular season and playoffs combined) since arriving in MLS in late-July. Jordan Morris was subbed off at halftime with a thigh injury, leaving his availability for Friday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Mexico up in the air. The Sounders will take on the Colorado Rapids, the new holders of home-field advantage through MLS Cup, in the Western Conference finals beginning in two weeks’ time.
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Three moments that mattered
25' — Akindele heads home, and it’s game on — Atiba Harris whipped in the cross to the top of the six-yard box, where Tesho Akindele was waiting. It wasn’t FCD’s first clear-cut chance, but it was the cleanest look.
Tesho ➡️ crossbar ➡️ GOAL@FCDallas are back in it. #DALvSEA https://t.co/k8h71BXJTc
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 7, 2016
54' — Lodeiro bundles home the cross from Mears for 4-1 — Walker Zimmerman struggled mightily over the two legs, never more than on this giveaway that resulted in a tap-in for Lodiero.
Nico. Clutch.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 7, 2016
Make that a three-goal series for Lodeiro. #DALvSEA https://t.co/KfXPX2orMT
56' — Urruti heads home to give FCD a lifeline — FCD were never going to go quietly, and Seattle strugled to deal with crosses into the box all night long.
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Goalscorers: Akindele (25'), Lodeiro (54'), Urruti (56')