The Seattle side sending the reigning champion home packing is a major step in the right direction, writes Ives Galarcep.
When the 2015 MLS playoff field was set on Sunday, the LA Galaxy's first-round visit to Seattle drew plenty of attention. Here were two teams widely regarded as title favorites heading into the season, but after a year filled with injuries and uncharacteristic struggles, the two perennial powerhouses were relegated to facing off in a knockout round match rather than a Western Conference final.
On Wednesday night, only one of those West powers looked anything like a title favorite, while the other looked like a shadow of the team that lifted the 2014 MLS Cup.