The Seattle Sounders and Sporting KC played out a contentious Western Conference knockout round match in front of 36,000 at CenturyLink Field, the Sounders advancing with a controversial 1-0 victory.
The subject of all the controversy was two offsides calls, both of which went against Kansas City. Sporting started off the match with terrific intensity, Benny Feilhaber in particularly inspiring form in the midst of one of his best years as a professional.
The Benny Feilhaber Show is alive and well. #SEAvSKC pic.twitter.com/WQuM5ClAX8
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) October 28, 2016
In the 53rd minute, it looked as though Matt Besler had given Sporting the advantage off a Feilhaber free kick. However, the flag went up on the finest of margins.
Can't get much closer than that. #SEAvSKC pic.twitter.com/1KeAKRzBeD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 28, 2016
Approaching extra time, the Sounders took the lead at the death through Nelson Valdez. His position on the goal was certainly no different than Besler’s had been.
But they all even out in the end, right? pic.twitter.com/tkLffI9Xj4
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) October 28, 2016
After the final whistle, Feilhaber immediately set out after the referee. He eventually needed to be restrained by teammates while berating the official. In the locker room after the match, Feilhaber gave one of the most sarcastic, deadpan interviews we’ve ever seen.
The Sounders advance to play FC Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals. For Sporting, the future is more uncertain. Feilhaber himself is now a free agent and has attracted a lot of overseas attention for his performances over the last two years.
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