Sounders Clinch Playoff Spot in 2–2 Draw with Whitecaps

The Seattle Sounders secured a place in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday night, drawing 2–2 with the Vancouver Whitecaps at Lumen Field. The result came with drama on both sides of the ball, as quick goals and key injuries shaped the Cascadia rivalry clash.

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First-Half Setbacks

Seattle was forced into early adjustments when Alex Roldán exited in the 11th minute and Yeimar Gómez Andrade followed in the 18th. Those changes disrupted the back line, but the Sounders managed to keep Vancouver from capitalizing before halftime.

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Second-Half Surge

The match came to life after the break. Vancouver took the lead in the 52nd minute when Brian White finished from a Thomas Müller assist. Seattle answered immediately. In the 54th minute, Jackson Ragen powered in a header from an Albert Rusnák corner. Just one minute later, Rusnák struck again—collecting the ball at the top of the box and chipping his shot into the roof of the net for a 2–1 lead.

Vancouver responded in the 69th minute as Mathías Laborda rose to meet Sebastian Berhalter’s cross, nodding home to make it 2–2. From there, the Whitecaps controlled more of the wide channels, while Seattle looked to counter through Rusnák and Jordan Morris.

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Closing Stages

Both teams pushed for a winner. Vancouver’s pace on the wings forced several late saves and clearances, while Seattle nearly found a third through set-piece pressure. Neither side broke through, and the match ended level.

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What It Means

The draw was enough to send Seattle into the postseason, marking another year of playoff soccer for the Sounders. For Rusnák, the night capped a standout performance with both a goal and an assist. Vancouver, meanwhile, celebrated lifting the Cascadia Cup, edging out Seattle and Portland in the regional rivalry series.

The Sounders now turn their focus to finishing the regular season strong and entering the playoffs with momentum, while also monitoring the fitness of Roldán and Yeimar after their first-half exits.

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