Sunday evening (8:30/Fox Sports 1) FC Dallas begins its 15th MLS Playoff campaign in 21 seasons. For the third consecutive time it will involve having to get past the Seattle Sounders - total opposites in pretty much every category on and off the field. Splitting the previous two duals, the one commonality between the two is never winning MLS Cup.
The differences between the two clubs are well established but the one difference - the massive gulf in the size of total salary spend and big name signings - is muted this year. The Sounders lost Obafemi Martins to an even bigger money pile in China, Clint Dempsey is dealing with a career threatening heart condition and Nelson Valdez has failed to live up to expectations.