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Last time: RSL concedes 3 goals in 20 minutes, season ends on low note

Seattle drowned RSL in the final game of the 2015 MLS regular season.

MLS: Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders FC Jennifer Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The last game Real Salt Lake played against the Seattle Sounders is one that we may just want to forget for good. On October 25, 2015, RSL took the pitch at CenturyLink Field for their final game of the season.

One team entered the game having been already eliminated from playoff contention, while the other team was desperately seeking a win to nab the 3 points they assumed they needed to make the playoffs.

MLS: Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders FC Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Real Salt Lake were simply outclassed by Seattle in a disappointing end to a heartbreaking season, as the Sounders rolled to a 3-1 win.

With little to play for but sheer pride, a visibly lackluster RSL went down to an early 3-0 deficit in Seattle, thanks to a brace from Clint Dempsey and a tally from Marco Pappa.

In the 5th minute, Obafemi Martins sent in a cross from out wide to find Dempsey sneaking in toward the goal between RSL defenders Aaron Maund and Abdoulie Mansally for an easy tap-in in front of an open net while Jeff Attinella was guarding the near post.

MLS: Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders FC Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Sounders continued to look like a playoff-hungry team fighting for their lives, when just five minutes later Marco Pappa got a clear look at goal from just outside the 18 yard box. He sent in a shot past Mansally, and just beyond the reach of an outstretched Jeff Attinella to put Seattle up with a commanding 2-0 lead.

MLS: Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders FC Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

While RSL fans were begging for the onslaught to stop, Sounders midfielder Erik Friberg stole the ball from Jordan Allen, which Dempsey picked up and pushed ahead to Martins, who was able to outrun Maund and fire off a shot at goal. Attinella saved the attempt, but a wide-open Dempsey picked up the rebound and put it well out of Attinella's reach in the back of the net to put the Sounders up 3-0 after just 20 minutes.

MLS: Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders FC Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

RSL came out a little more aggressively in the second half, controlling possession and pressing to try and salvage what was left of the season.

Luis Gil was even able to end his 18-month scoring drought when a ground cross from Tony Beltran rolled to his feet in front of goal and he put it past Stefan Frei, preventing the Seattle clean sheet, putting the final score at 3-1.

MLS: Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders FC Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Real Salt Lake ended the match with 2 shots (1 on goal) and finished the season with 41 points (11-15-8), with 4 long months to prepare for the 2016 season.

RSL, with much more to play for in this match and having added some fresh faces to the squad during the offseason, will be looking for redemption in their MLS regular season home opener against the Sounders on March 12th.