Seattle Sounders have reached the final of the MLS Western Conference with a 1-0 away victory over Real Salt Lake.
Mario Martinez's strike nine minutes from time at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah saw Sigi Schmid's side edge past their hosts 1-0 on aggregate over the two-legged semi-final tie.
However, things could have turned out differently had the hosts taken their chances early in the match.
Ned Grabavoy forced Michael Gspurning into making a good save in the 10th minute and nine minutes later Paulo Junior's attempt went narrowly wide.
Seattle too had their chances in the first 45 minutes, Christian Tiffert's shot going just wide and Martinez's free kick drawing out a fantastic save from Nick Rimando off the crossbar.
The visitors could have taken the lead in the early moments of the second half had Rimando not been alert to a ferocious attempt from Brad Evans.
Real, though, started asserting themselves on the match thereafter, with Javier Morales and Nat Borchers testing Seattle goalkeeper Gspurning.
Then with nine minutes left on the clock Seattle scored the winner, as Martinez volleyed home Fredy Montero's cross from the right.
Seattle will now take on LA Galaxy in the Western Conference final.
Subhankar Mondal
