The Seattle Sounders are heading back to MLS Cup, where they will look to defend their title in a finals rematch against Toronto FC.
The Sounders entered the night carrying a two-goal lead over the Houston Dynamo from the first leg and Víctor Rodríguez put the tie to bed with his goal in the 22nd minute after being played in by Will Bruin.
Goal! Victor Rodriguez. 1-0.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 1, 2017
Seattle Sounders lead 3-0 on aggregate. #SEAvHOU pic.twitter.com/f8pudVTuIZ
Clint Dempsey added a second for the Sounders on the night and a fourth for the series close to the hour mark.
Joevin Jones never stops running & Clint Dempsey doesn't miss from there. #SEAvHOU // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/2dZwymdsvk
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 1, 2017
Former Dynamo forward Will Bruin tacked on a third on the night and a fifth overall to complete a dominant 5-0 aggregate win.
Shipp ➡️ Bruin. Clinical!#SEAvHOU // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/pYE5JUsDHK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 1, 2017
A day earlier, Jozy Altidore's heroics led Toronto to a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew to advance out of the East.
The Reds, who set an MLS record for points with 69 during the regular season, will host the showcase event at BMO Field on Dec. 9.
The Sounders took home the title last season after beating TFC in a penalty shootout following 120 scoreless minutes in Toronto.
A handful of MLS stars will be on display when the two sides meet again, including MLS MVP finalist Sebastian Giovinco and long-time U.S. national team standouts Dempsey, Altidore and Michael Bradley.