Orlando City SC 1, Seattle Sounders 2 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

It's official: the Seattle Sounders have clinched playoff qualification.

With a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC, the Sounders have made the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, which ties the league record. They've made the postseason in each one of their seasons in MLS.

Against Orlando, it wasn't long before Seattle took the lead.

After just three minutes, Victor Rodriguez put the Sounders in front. Kelvin Leerdam was given ample time to play a perfect lobbed through ball to an unmarked Rodriguez, who delicately chipped a first-time volley over the onrushing Adam Grinwis. The goal puts this season's Orlando City in the record books for unwanted reasons: it was their 71st goal conceded, most in MLS single-season history. 

Ten minutes later, 18-year-old Handwalla Bwana cut in from the right wing and saw his deflected strike trickle into the net. It was his second career goal.

In the second half, Orlando City clawed a goal back, through Dom Dwyer off a perfect cross from Scott Sutter. It was their first goal in more than 500 minutes of action.

Goals

• 3' – SEA – Victor Rodriguez | WATCH
• 13' – SEA – Handwalla Bwana | WATCH
• 57' – ORL – Dom Dwyer | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: While it's been a foregone conclusion at this point because they've been one of the best teams in the league over the second half of the season, Seattle's incredible turnaround shouldn't be taken for granted. At one point this season, there was a running joke to compare Josef Martinez's goal tally with the entirety of Seattle's. But now, who would fancy playing the Sounders in the playoffs?

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Rodriguez's goal was a moment of sheer class.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Rodriguez was lively, outside of his fantastic goal. He carried his recent form to Orlando as he now has four goals and two assists in his last three games. 

Next Up

• ORL: Sunday, October 21 vs. Columbus Crew SC (3 pm ET | TV & streaming info)
• SEA: Sunday, October 21 at Houston Dynamo (5 pm ET | TV & streaming info)