Sounders take down West's top seed LAFC in extra time

LAFC's hopes of a third straight MLS Cup final appearance ended with a 2-1 extra-time loss to Seattle, as the top seed in the West crashed out of the playoffs in the conference semifinals.

Both teams were happy to play patient possession football for most of the first half and the first shot on goal did not come until the 39th minute -- Obed Vargas' effort from the edge of the box not unduly troubling Hugo Lloris.

Seattle responded with a spell of pressure just before half-time and Maxime Chanot had to clear off the line from Jon Ball after a scramble in the box.

But LAFC, seeking their third straight MLS Cup final appearance, went ahead in the 50th minute when Mateusz Bogusz struck a low ball in from the right flank and defender Ryan Hollingshead timed his run to perfection and provided a clinical finish.

LAFC's lead lasted just nine minutes as a Vargas low cross was turned into his own net by a sliding Chanot.

Jordan Morris then flashed a header wide for Seattle at the other end while LAFC went close with a bicycle kick from Aaron Long which saw Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei get down well.

Frei came up big in extra-time with a key save with his trailing left leg from Bogusz as LAFC piled on the pressure.

But after the home side dominated the first period, Seattle got the decisive goal when, from a corner, the ball fell to Morris at the back post and he fired home on the turn.

The impressive Frei needed to be alert in the latter stages, saving at his near post to keep out Hollingshead's blast.

Seattle, which finished fourth in the Western regular-season standings, had been winless in their last 10 meetings with LAFC but they held firm to record a surprise win.

The Sounders will play the winner of Sunday's game between Los Angeles Galaxy and Minnesota United.