The Seattle Sounders are within one home playoff victory of tying an MLS record that has stood for two decades, and they just might have a shot to tie or break it by winning the 2019 MLS Cup.
The Sounders' 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night in the Western Conference semifinals, marking the club's 11th consecutive home postseason victory at CenturyLink Field.
That puts Seattle alone in second in terms of consecutive home playoff victories all-time. And they're just one shy of the record of 12 consecutive home playoff wins posted by D.C. United between 1996 and 1999.
Longest home winning streak (MLS Cup Playoffs)
Team |
Wins |
Date started |
Date ended |
|---|---|---|---|
D.C. United |
12 |
9/27/1996 |
11/13/1999 |
Seattle Sounders |
11 |
11/30/2014 |
|
Chicago Fire |
10 |
10/1/1998 |
9/29/2001 |
LA Galaxy |
8 |
9/25/2002 |
11/13/2009 |
LA Galaxy |
8 |
11/11/2012 |
And the Sounders have a very real shot to tie or break the record before the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs conclude. They would host the Western Conference Final if the LA Galaxy knocks off LAFC in the other semifinal slated for Thursday evening (10:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US | TSN4, TVAS in Canada).
Seattle also stands a solid chance to host the 2019 MLS Cup should they reach it, having finished higher in the Supporters' Shield standings than both the Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC. With New York City FC eliminated on Wednesday, only Atlanta United reaching MLS Cup would force Seattle to hit the road. Atlanta and Philadelphia play in an Eastern Conference Semifinal also on Thursday (8 pm ET | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes in US | TSN4, TVAS in Canada).
Seattle's two previous MLS Cup appearances — including their 2016 triumph — came on the road at Toronto FC's BMO Field.
