Sounders eliminated, fall to L.A.

SEATTLE, Wash. - Eddie Johnson scored his first playoff goal and Zach Scott tallied a goal and assist in a 2-1 Sounders FC win in the second leg of the Western Conference Championship on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field, but the LA Galaxy advance, 4-2, on aggregate after a 3-0 win in the first leg.

The LA Galaxy will now host the Houston Dynamo in MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center on December 1.

                  

Sounders FC got on the board in the 12^th minute. Scott won a 50-50 ball and played it ahead to Johnson on a run down the middle of the field. The striker held off the defense and slotted a shot past Los Angeles keeper Josh Saunders for his first career playoff goal.

Seattle made it 2-0 in the 57^th minute when Christian Tiffert's corner kick found Scott at the near post for a diving header that whipped into the back of the net.

Scott, who had one goal and one assist in his MLS career (both this season), matched his career total with three points tonight. The 32-year-old defender now has three goals across all competitions in 2012, including a goal in the U.S. Open Cup Final.

With Seattle down 3-2 on aggregate, the Galaxy extended their lead in the 68^th minute on a penalty kick. Robbie Keane, who had two goals and an assist in the first leg, converted the penalty kick after a Sounders FC handball in the box.

Seattle pressed all game, maintaining 62.7% of the possession and out-shooting the Galaxy 13-5 and 5-2 on goal. Johnson appeared to have scored a goal in the 11^th minute, but was flagged offside. In the 16^th minute, Steve Zakuani's shot was deflected to Tiffert on the right side of the box, and the German midfielder sent a cross that found Fredy Montero but his header was saved.

In the 88^th minute, Tiffert's free kick from outside the box bent through the defense, but right into the arms of Saunders. In second half stoppage David Estrada got a running header on frame, but Saunders punched it clear.

The win gave Sounders FC its third playoff victory in franchise history as the club reached the Western Conference Championship for the first time.

Tonight's attendance of 44,575 was the largest attendance for non-final postseason match, and the sixth largest postseason attendance in MLS history.

Sounders FC finishes their season with an all competitions record of 26-10-13, accruing the most wins across all competitions of any MLS club in 2012.

Seattle will return to action in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Tigres of the Mexican Primera Division next March.

Scoring Summary:

SEA - Eddie Johnson (Zach Scott) 12'

SEA - Zach Scott (Christian Tiffert) 57'

LA - Robbie Keane (PK) 68'

Seattle Sounders FC - Michael Gspurning, Adam Johansson (Mario Martinez 74), Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Zach Scott, Christian Tiffert, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Steve Zakuani (Mauro Rosales 81), Fredy Montero (David Estrada 73), Eddie Johnson.

Substitutes Not Used: Marcus Hahnemann, Leo Gonzalez, Andy Rose, Sammy Ochoa.

TOTAL SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDE: 5; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 1.

LA Galaxy - Josh Saunders, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Tommy Meyer, Todd Dunivant, Mike Magee, David Beckham, Marcelo Sarvas, Christian Wilhelmsson (Juninho 62), Edson Buddle (Michael Stephens 84), Robbie Keane.

Substitutes Not Used: Brian Perk, Andrew Boyens, Bryan Gaul, Pat Noonan, Jose Villarreal.

TOTAL SHOTS: 5; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDE: 8; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 3.

Misconduct Summary:

SEA - Eddie Johnson (caution) 68'

SEA - Osvaldo Alonso (caution) 74'

SEA - Osvaldo Alonso (caution) 90+5'

SEA - Osvaldo Alonso (ejection) 90+5'

Referee: Mark Geiger

Referee's Assistants: Adam Wienckowski, Gregory Baker

4th Official: Ismail Elfath

Attendance: 44,575

Time of Game: 1:53

Weather: Rainy and 48 degrees