Photo Credit: Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders 2-Minnesota United FC 1
The Sounders head in to Minnesota on the heals of a six game unbeaten streak. For the first half hour it looked like smooth sailing for the Rave Green. That all changed in the 32nd minute when Darwin Quintero with a moment of class shoots a seering ball past Chad Marshall and beat Frei to the far post. Sounders seemed to shake that off. they continued on the front foot. With 60% of the ball it looked like just a matter of time. That seemed to change when Kim Kee Hee was forced off with a injury. The Sounders were unsettled at that point. In a very physical affair it wents 1-0 into the half.
The second half started with a curious move by Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer, subbing Nouhou off for Waylon Francis. The half started with the Loons content to allow the Sounders to have the ball and play on the counter. In the 57th minute VAR was consulted on a possible hand ball in the box by Minnesota after the revue the call on the field stood no penalty. In fairness to referee Drew Fisher the penalty would have been harsh. The Sounders kept piling on the pressure but were not getting good looks in the box. Loons keeper was rarely troubled. The Sounders thought they found the equalizer in the 62nd minute with Raul Ruidiaz scored off a Loderio pass. VAR was again consulted and the goal was rightly wiped off. The Sounders made their final sub in the 75th minute as Will Bruin comes on for Harry Shipp.
Sounders were in full-on attack mode for the last 15 with Torres up in the attack. The Sounders piled on the pressure with the Loons bending but not breaking. In the 87th minute the pivotal moment of the match. Torres hit a header up against Miguel Ibarra which appeared that Ibarra handled in the box. The Loons are on a three to one break. Darwin Quintero with a what appears to be a empty net to shoot at. Stephan Frei with a amazing save as he gets across and saves the shot. VAR again consulted and this time the Sounders awarded a penalty. Nicolas Loderio makes no mistake and ties the match at 1-1.
In the ensuing six minutes of injury time Minnesota looked more dangerous than the had in the past hour but the Sounders defense were up to the task. Deep in stoppage time Kelvin Leerdam with a pass up field to Ruidiaz who splits two defenders and heads it to a unmarked Will Bruin. Bruin chips a oncoming Bobby Shuttleworth and the ball nestles in the back of the net. 2-1 Sounders.
With the win the Sounder unbeaten in 7 and a 4 game winning streak jump Minnesota in the standings. The Sounders are now just 2 points out of the playoffs with games in hand.
Seattle Sounders FC
Minnesota United FC
