Playoffs still possible for Sounders

With the Seattle Sounders' season on the brink, Leighton O'Brien danced down the left side toward the left post in the 90th minute with one last run for a goal.

It could prove to be the move of the season if it ends up continuing their playoff streak to five years.

O'Brien was fouled by Omar Jarun in the penalty area and O'Brien's midfield mate, Andrew Gregor, nailed the ensuing penalty kick as the Sounders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Atlanta in a United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division regular-season finale Saturday night in front of 8,829 fans at Qwest Field.

"[Teammate Maykel] Galindo's been showing me how the Cuban guys do it," O'Brien joked of his quick dribbling in the final minute of regulation.

A defeat or a tie would've ended the season for Seattle (11-13-4, 37 points), but with the miracle finish it can still qualify for the playoffs with a little help from some league foes. The defending USL First Division champion Sounders, who seek their 12th postseason berth in 13 seasons, played a man down from the 86th minute when Roger Levesque picked up his second yellow and exited.

Atlanta (10-12-5, 35 points) missed an opportunity to gain control in pursuit of the sixth and final seed into the playoffs. Seattle survived four minutes of added time for the victory.

"I think the guy clipped [O'Brien]," Gregor said of the decisive call by referee Kari Seitz. "Leighton did some nasty work to get himself open. He skipped right by those guys like they were standing still. It was very impressive."

O'Brien and Antonio De La Torre got into a shoving match during added time in the 90th minute, resulting in a yellow card to both players. Atlanta's Anthony McManus rushed onto the scene, pushed O'Brien to earn a red card and an ejection.

To reach the playoffs, Seattle must have two things happen today: Miami FC must beat Puerto Rico in a 2 p.m. PDT match, and Atlanta must lose or tie Vancouver in a 7 p.m. PDT match.

Miami (11-11-5, 38 points), Puerto Rico (10-10-7, 37 points), Seattle and Atlanta all are vying for the two final playoff spots. The Sounders are currently tied with Puerto Rico for sixth place.

"It's crap having to wait for other teams to help us," O'Brien said.

Galindo put Seattle in front 1-0 in the 41st minute, scoring on an open-net goal. Galindo's third goal of the season came off a long ball from Cam Weaver, who found a streaking Galindo in the middle of the field.

The assist for Weaver put him back into a tie for the league scoring lead with Romario of Miami FC. Weaver has 39 points on 18 goals and three assists.