Injuries to both sides have dominated the build-up to the Western Conference Championship between Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders FC.
After what he described as “perfect surgery”, keeper Tim Howard flew in to watch the visitors’ training session at Seattle University on Monday evening. The adductor injury he sustained during the United States' defeat to Mexico on November 11 had ended his season. Therefore, the last touch of his first campaign with Colorado Rapids will always be the penalty save from Jeff Larentowicz that saw Pablo Mastroeni’s side eliminate LA Galaxy in the semifinal second leg at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.