Vargas Brace Leads Sounders Past Minnesota, Forcing Decisive Game Three

Obed Vargas scored twice — once early and once late — as the Seattle Sounders defeated Minnesota United 4–2 on Monday night, forcing a winner-take-all third game in their best-of-three MLS Cup first-round series.

Vargas opened the scoring in the 8th minute with an unassisted strike, giving Seattle an early edge after the fifth-seeded Sounders and fourth-seeded Minnesota had played to a scoreless draw in the first leg, which the Loons won 3–2 on penalties.

Jordan Morris doubled Seattle’s advantage in the 21st minute, finishing a well-worked play assisted by Jesús Ferreira and Cristian Roldán. The goal marked Morris’s 10th in 26 career postseason appearances.

Danny Musovski extended the lead to 3–0 in the 41st minute, netting his first career playoff goal in his fifth postseason outing — again with assists from Ferreira and Roldán. The helpers were milestones for both: Ferreira’s first in eight playoff matches and Roldán’s first in 33.

Minnesota stormed back before halftime, scoring twice in stoppage time to cut the deficit to 3–2. Rookie Nectarios Triantis struck first, assisted by Robin Lod, who then scored moments later off passes from Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Joaquín Pereyra. The goal gave Lod two goals and two assists in 10 playoff games, while Hlongwane and Pereyra each picked up their first postseason assists.

Vargas sealed the victory for Seattle with his second goal late in the match, ensuring the Sounders would force a decisive third game in the series.