FC Dallas Fall In Game 1

Forward Clint Dempsey sailed a 25-yard free kick into the top right corner of the goal in the 86th minute, powering the Seattle Sounders to a come-from-behind, 2-1 win over visiting FC Dallas on Sunday in the first leg of an MLS Western Conference semifinal series.

The final leg of the total-goal series will be played in Dallas next Sunday.

Dempsey’s free kick, which he curled around the Dallas wall and underneath the crossbar, was his 12th goal of the season.

Midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz tied the match at 1-1 for Seattle in the 67th minute.

Midfielder Fabian Castillo gave Dallas a 1-0 edge with as assist from midfielder Mauro Diaz in the 18th minute. Castillo led Dallas with four shots.

Dempsey and forward Obafemi Matins had three shots apiece for Seattle, helping the Sounders outshoot FC Dallas 14-10, including 7-4 in shots on target. Seattle held a 56 percent-44 percent edge in ball possession.

Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez stopped five shots. Sounders goalie Stefan Frei recorded three saves.

The winner of the series will meet the winner of the Vancouver-Portland series in the Western Conference finals. The Whitecaps and Timbers played to a scoreless draw Sunday in Portland.