Morris’s Late Goal Lifts Seattle by Columbus – Photo Recap

Photos by Max Aquino, Matt Warso & Michelle Ernsdorff

Captions by Toby Dunkelberg & Steven Agen

The Seattle Sounders and 39,473 fans welcomed the Columbus Crew on a beautiful sunny day in the Pacific Northwest for a matchup of pedigreed but underperforming clubs. In honor of Hat Week (their term for the rivalry declared by Columbus Supporters), the Emerald City Supporters passed out 96 baseball caps in the section.

The game started very open and fluid. Columbus opting early on to exploit the relative inexperience of Aaron Kovar and Joevin Jones on Seattle's left side by frequently pushing Harrison Afful and Kei Kamura forward.

The game started out open and fluid. Columbus opting to exploit the relative inexperience of Aaron Kovar and Joevin Jones on Seattle’s left side by frequently pushing Harrison Afful and Kei Kamura forward.

The game continued to flow, but started to become more physical on the defensive side. Osvaldo Alonso had one reckless challenge too many and earned an early yellow card.

The game continued to flow, but quickly became more physical on the defensive side. Osvaldo Alonso committed one reckless challenge too many to earn an early yellow card.

Higuain created several chances for himself, including the collection of a misplaced Frei clearance. With the goalkeeper rushing back to goal from outside the area, the playmaking Argentine couldn’t find the back of what was a mostly empty net. Seattle escaped, and the Crew rued the forsaken gift.

Federico Higuaín created several chances for himself, including the collection of a misplaced Frei clearance. With the goalkeeper rushing back to goal from outside the area, the playmaking Argentine couldn’t find the back of what was a mostly empty net. Seattle escaped, and the Crew rued the forsaken gift.

The Sounders got their best and only real chance of the first half just a couple minutes later when they ping pong the ball over and around Columbus goal, somehow managing to avoid scoring.

The Sounders got their best and only real chance of the first half just a couple minutes later when they ping ponged the ball over and around Columbus goal, somehow managing to avoid scoring.

Columbus got their best chance of the game in the 42nd minute when Finlay got behind the Sounders backline but somehow misses his shot wide left.

Columbus responded in the 42nd minute for their best chance of the game. Higuaín played a ball for an onrushing Ethan Finlay who was wide open behind Seattle’s backline. Despite being one-on-one his shot skirted high and wide, much to his own frustration.

Right before the stroke of halftime Chad Marshall went down clutchig his ankle after an awkward landing. After initial worry the centerback persevered and stayed in for the whole game.

Right before the stroke of halftime Chad Marshall went down clutching his ankle after an awkward landing. After initial worry the centerback persevered and stayed in for the whole game.

Seattle started the second half well, pushing Kovar, Jones, and Mears much farther forward to great success.

The second half looked to be an entirely different game. Seattle started well by pushing Kovar, Jones, and Mears much farther forward, while Columbus looked to be even more disjointed in midfield.

After 20 dominant but ultimately fruitless minutes from Seattle, Columbus started to find their footing a little more by generating more success over the top and down the wings.

Offensive subs flooded the field as both sides pushed for the late winner. Friberg and Valdez entered for Seattle, while Cedrik Mabwati and Rodrigo Sarvia looked to provide more wide options for Higuain to provide service to.

Offensive subs flooded the field as both sides pushed for the late winner. Erik Friberg and Nelson Valdez entered for Seattle, while Columbus’s Cedrik Mabwati and Rodrigo Sarvia came on to provide more wide options for Higuaín.

It was Seattle that got the late winner in the 88th minute by none other than Jordan Morris. Oalex Anderson who only just came on for Herculez Gomez gathered Joevin Jones's cross was for a shot that parried away by Clark. Jordan Morris once again in the right place at the right time calmly touched it by for the winner.

It was Seattle that stole the late winner with a goal in the 88th minute by none other than Jordan Morris. Oalex Anderson who only just came on for Gomez gathered Joevin Jones’s cross for a shot that parried away by Clark. Jordan Morris, once again in the right place at the right time, calmly touched it by for the winning goal and the three points.

With his third goal in as many games Morris and the Sounders will look to continue their shared momentum with another home match next week against San Jose. Columbus meanwhile goes home searching for answers after playing an impressive match outside of the final four minutes.

With his third goal in as many games, Morris and the Sounders look to continue their shared momentum with another home match next week against San Jose. Columbus meanwhile is left going home searching for answers after playing an impressive match outside of the final four minutes.