SEATTLE, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Despite second-half goals from Osvaldo Alonso and Lamar Neagle that gave Seattle a 2-0 victory Wednesday, Real Salt Lake held on to reach the MLS semifinals.
Salt Lake produced a 3-0 win in the first of the two-match aggregate series and thus emerged with a 3-2 overall triumph.
Nick Rimando blanked Seattle in the first meeting, but gave up the two goals Wednesday on a rain-soaked field.
With its three-goal advantage coming into the game, Salt Lake appeared ready to coast into the semifinals when it dominated the scoreless first half. Tony Beltran, however, was called for a foul on Michael Fucito in the penalty area during the 55th minute and Alonso converted to give Seattle hope.
Neagle scored 5 minutes later by driving the ball from a poor angle into the right corner of the net.
Rimando made six saves to ensure that Seattle would come up one goal short.
The game also brought an end to the 20-year professional career of Seattle and U.S. national goaltender Kasey Keller, who had previously announced this season would be his last.
