We’ve got a Game 3, folks. Minnesota United fell to the Seattle Sounders by a score of 4-2 in tonight’s Game 2 showdown, setting up a winner-take-all series finale in Saint Paul this weekend. This goalfest stood in stark contrast to the Game 1 draw at Allianz Field, with an early goal setting the stage for a back-and-forth match that drew both teams out of their shells at different times.

A quick start from the hosts was expected, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. The Rave Green swarmed the Loons’ defensive third straight from kickoff, piling on pressure and testing the defense that had stymied them for the last 180 minutes they played against one another. This time, Obed Vargas’ eighth-minute strike through traffic changed the complexion of the match, and the home side took full advantage.

Down a goal, the Loons shifted their approach ever so slightly, opting to connect a few more passes than they had in the opening minutes while continuing to try and establish their usual meticulous set-piece game. While they were still adjusting to the state of affairs, Brian Schmetzer’s side doubled the lead via Jordan Morris, who was simply in the right place at the right time to knock one past Dayne St. Clair.

The visitors continued to try and slow the game down, but their hosts were lively, moving the defense to create holes and attacking at speed. They added a third in the 41st minute, seemingly sucking the air out of the match and looking like they’d add a few more before it was said and done.

But, just when it seemed that all hope was lost and Game 3 was inevitable, the Loons came roaring back. A shift during the closing minutes of the half caught Seattle off-guard, leading to several clear chances from turnovers in the attacking third.

First, Robin Lod and Nectarios Triantis combined for the Loons’ opener, an excellent piece of ball-carrying from the Finn and an authoritative finish from the Greek international. Just four minutes later, both men were involved again, as Triantis and Joaquín Pereyra forced yet another turnover in Seattle’s half and found the feet of Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who set Lod up for the poke-finish past Stefan Frei. Just like that, the game was back on, and the halftime speeches needed to be rewritten.

The second half saw changes for both sides, with Morris Duggan replacing Nicolás Romero for the Loons. Where the first half had resembled the last match MNUFC played in Seattle, the second was closer to what we saw at Allianz Field: cagier, slower, and without many big chances for either side. The Loons were characteristically patient, and the Sounders seemed content to bleed the clock, possess the ball, and save the rest of their creativity for Game 3.

Despite the lowered sense of urgency, chances still cropped up here and there, the better of which ultimately fell to the home team. Obed Vargas got his brace in the 86th minute with help from a heavy deflection, effectively putting the game to bed.

Goals change games, and for a side that very rarely concedes — let alone in the first 10 minutes — it became an uphill battle early on for Minnesota United tonight. Though Hlongwane and Lod both grew into the game and threatened after the half-hour mark, the damage was already done. Some unfortunate bounces and slim margins were the difference between an easy Sounders win and a potential shootout, and while this one will sting for Coach Ramsay and the boys, they’ve still got everything to play for this Saturday.