Those were rain drops, not tear drops. At first. Then came the unlikely redemption of Nelson Valdez. Suddenly – they were tears…of joy.

Jeff Halstead’s complete gallery from Seattle’s 1-0 MLS Cup Playoffs win over Sporting Kansas City can be viewed here.

“I can’t explain my feelings,” Valdez told reporters after the game. “It’s unbelievable. … Everybody who knows me, they know how hard it was for me this year. I try every day to do my best and to believe. I’m so happy for the goal. I’m so happy for the team. We get to go another round.”