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Seattle on verge of MLS Cup final after cruising past 10-man Houston

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Sounders' bid to return to the MLS Cup is alive and well following Tuesday's 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo in the first leg of the Western Conference Final.

The match was essentially over after 45 minutes when the visitors jumped out to a commanding lead against a Houston side playing a man short for much of the match.

Seattle was already enjoying a 1-0 lead by the time Dynamo defender Jalil Anibaba earned a red card for his foul on Joevin Jones in the penalty area.

Gustav Svensson gave the Sounders the lead with a powerful header in the 11th minute, but Seattle failed to double the advantage when Nicolas Lodeiro saw his penalty saved.

The rambunctious supporters at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston were silenced minutes before the break when former Dynamo player Will Bruin all but secured the first-leg victory.

Houston failed to mount much of a comeback in the second frame despite a late wave of attacks.

It's a result that will give the Sounders plenty of confidence heading into next week's second leg, especially considering Seattle was without No. 1 goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Seattle will attempt to secure a place in the MLS Cup final for a second consecutive year when the two teams meet at CenturyLink Field on Nov. 30.

Meanwhile, Toronto FC - the team Seattle beat in last year's MLS Cup - also produced a positive result on the road with a goalless draw against the Columbus Crew earlier Tuesday.

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