It’s a detectable difference. Bouncing out of bed on match day with belief is much better hitting the floor with faint hope.

That’s the big, big difference between Monday’s series-deciding clash at the CLink and those home playoffs that came before it.

For the first time in the MLS era of the Sounders, they are playing a second leg at home without the handicap of a deficit. In fact, Seattle is an away goal to the good following the first-leg draw to FC Dallas. So, if nothing moves the nets, that’s good enough.

In the postseason, it’s all about surviving and advancing to play another day. Ultimately, that’s the name of the game: Taking care of business. There are no style points.

In recalling great occasions of the past, the most majestic of works come largely from league matches rather than playoffs. The latter are more mundane yet may produce the most ear-splitting shrieks, the most thunderous, full-throated roars. And they do so because the simple plays, poacher goals, become glorious only because they mean so much.

In essence, Seattle’s postseason commenced some three weeks ago when a trophy was at stake. The home-and-home series versus L.A. settled the Supporters’ Shield. The second-half goals at StubHub, then the Marco Pappa Late Show at home are ingrained in our psyche, more for their immensity of importance than the deftness in which they were delivered. then again, Pappa’s cheeky chip may be an exception.

So in some ways the Sounders should be steeled for this occasion. They have withstood their foes’ best blows during the last three weeks without a stumble. They have taken punches, stood tall and applied some withering shots to the opponent, not to mention a couple haymakers. And that’s what we’ll remember more than anything, the outcome.

History–both recent and relatively ancient–give reason to believe Seattle will prevail and proceed to a gargantuan West finals series against the Galaxy.

Looking back over 40 years, the combination of a home crowd supporting a Sounders side entering a second leg either tied or front has proven unbeatable.

The sample size is significant. Nine times in the NASL and A-League/USL 1 eras Seattle returned home after securing a result on the road in the first leg, and nine times the Sounders advanced, sometimes handily (e.g., Vancouver 3-1, 1980), sometimes by shootout (Puerto Rico, 2007). But the bottom line in playoffs is–all together, now–survival.

NOTE: When tied or leading after the first leg and playing the second leg away, Seattle is 5-2 all-time.

By comparison, rare are the instances of Seattle sides coming from behind to claim a series. Over four decades it’s occurred three times and only longtime fans may remember.

There was the epic comeback versus  Fort Lauderdale in the 1982 semifinals and the deciding shootout to win the title over Atlanta in ’95 . The most recent installment came 10 years ago in the unlikely run to the final, beginning with the fourth seeds rallying from a 1:2 deficit at Portland.

Finishing off a game or a series is no easy task, and a crowd bellowing behind you can make all the difference. Technique and tactics matter, but the outcome may be owed to the mindset of the men wearing kits as well as those cheering them.

In 2011 and 2012, against RSL and LA, respectively (each down 3:0 after the first leg), you remember the whispers: “Do you think we can do it?” And we darn near did.

Those were frantic affairs. Everything needed to be precise for the plan to have a chance.

On Monday the collective sense there’s a job to be done. It’s doable, and the Rave can, and will, get it done.

The distinction this time around is Seattle sitting in the driver’s seat. The Sounders need not be perfect, just good enough to do the business. Survive and advance. We’ve got this.