| 23 October 2011
Despite a fifth minute injury to star midfielder Mauro Rosales, Sounders FC maintained their pace into the playoffs with a 3-1 victory over Chivas USA. The Sounders entered the match with confidence as the lineup featured all the regular starters with Fredy Montero in goal scoring form. But a reckless tackle shifted Seattle’s lineup as Rosales was forced to leave the pitch with a knee injury. Cult favorite Roger Levesque entered the match and the Sounders resumed play. The first half proved uneventful as the Sounders shifted tactics in Rosales' absence.
The second half, however, displayed much more entertainment. It was Chivas who drew Seattle's first blood, scoring an own goal in the 53rd minute. In the 64th, Sammy Ochoa entered the game for Mike Fucito to give Ochoa more playing time before the playoffs as he will more than likely be an important focal point for the Sounders’ attack in the post season. Minutes later, a Brad Evans pass found Alvaro Fernandez on the far post to make it 2-1 for the Sounders. From there the Sounders began to lock down the game, forcing the attack and taking a third goal by way of an Ochoa header in the 73rd minute. Ochoa’s goal was assisted by Montero who superbly took on the orchestration of the offense after Rosales left the match. The only blight in Seattle’s play came in the 83rd minute when Chivas scored for themselves to make it 3-1. Up next comes a first round playoff match at Rio Tinto stadium versus Real Salt Lake on October 29th. Hopefully this last regular season victory against Chivas bodes well for the Sounders race for the MLS Cup.
