Dempsey on target for Seattle as Dynamo fizzle

Clint Dempsey got on the scoresheet as the Seattle Sounders defeated Houston Dynamo 3-0 to set up a repeat MLS Cup final showdown with Toronto FC on Thursday.
Veteran striker Dempsey rammed in Seattle's second goal of the night as the defending champions completed an emphatic 5-0 aggregate victory to advance.
They will face Toronto in Canada on December 9 in a repeat of the 2016 final, which Seattle won on penalties.
The Sounders had taken a stranglehold on the Western Conference final after winning last week's first leg 2-0 in Houston.
And any hope of a Houston comeback was snuffed out after 22 minutes when Victor Rodriguez played a superb one-two with Will Bruin before tucking away his finish.
Dempsey then doubled Seattle's lead in the 57th minute with another well-worked goal that put the Sounders 4-0 ahead on aggregate.
Joevin Jones found space down the left flank and calmly stroked a low cross into the path of Dempsey, who stabbed home a low shot.
As Houston's frustration grew, the match threatened to turn ugly and Tomas Martinez was given a red card for a violent shove on a Seattle opponent in the 66th minute.
Bruin made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute, catching the Houston defense cold before lifting a deft chip over the advancing Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis.
The quest continues.
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 1, 2017
Next Stop: MLS CUP! pic.twitter.com/bdPctyXa0r
The win means Seattle will now have the chance to become the first team since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011 and 2012 to successfully defend the trophy.