The Seattle Sounders defeated LAFC 2-1 at Lumen Field on Decision Day on Saturday to clinch their spot in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs behind goals from Albert Rusnák and Sebastian Gomez. Seattle needed a win and one of the LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers to drop points, with both the Galaxy and Rapids losing. Eddie Segura scored late for LAFC, who had their playoff position locked in at sixth regardless of Saturday’s outcome.
Seattle finishes eighth in the Western Conference and will host ninth-place Real Salt Lake in a winner-take-all Wild Card round on Thursday, Nov. 19 (7:00 p.m. PT; Watch on Apple TV).
The Sounders opened the scoring in just 51 seconds when a high press forced an LAFC turnover in their own box. Cristian Roldan stole the ball and picked out a wide-open Rusnák on the doorstep, and the Slovakian redirected the pass into the net for the early lead.
LAFC nearly answered immediately when Denis Bouanga’s shot forced Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas to push it over the crossbar in the third minute. On the ensuing corner, Thomas made another outstanding stop to deny Armindo Sieb’s effort that was headed into the upper corner.
Thomas made yet another incredible save in the 25th minute when Bouanga picked out Son in the middle of the box, but Thomas came out big to keep out the South Korea international’s shot. Sieb then narrowly missed at the near post on the subsequent rebound.
Seattle doubled its lead in the 32nd minute when Gomez’s left-footed shot took a deflection off Segura and wrongfooted goalkeeper Cabral Carter.
Thomas continued his big day in the 55th minute when he stonewalled Son yet again from inside the box, sticking a leg out to parry away what would have been a sure goal.
Thomas denied Bouanga again in the 67th minute when he pawed away an opportunity from along the end line.
LAFC halved the deficit in the 82nd minute when Ryan Porteous headed a free kick into the six-yard box where Segura rose to head in his first goal of the year.
Sounders winger Paul Rothrock made an inspiring return to the pitch in the 87th minute after injuring his hamstring on Sept. 12.
The Sounders finish the 2026 MLS regular season 12-12-10 with 46 points from 34 matches.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Postseason ticket booked
The Sounders punched their ticket to the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs for the 17th time in 18 seasons since entering MLS in 2009.
Rusnák ties club assist record
Rusnák recorded his 16th assist in the regular season on Saturday, tying his own record in 2024 and Nicolás Lodeiro in 2018 for the most in a campaign in franchise history. His 16 assists are tied for third in MLS this year.
Thomas shines again
The Sounders got another massive performance from Thomas, who recorded seven saves on the evening. He entered the final weekend of the regular season as one of the best goalkeepers in the league, posting the third-best Goals-Expected Goals mark in MLS.
