Seattle Sounders 4-0 Minnesota United
SEATTLE, WA–If this was the year that Seattle Sounders FC might miss the playoffs for the first time in the MLS era, perhaps we should go back to Forecasting 101. Four goals in the second half lifted the defending Western Conference Champs to a 4-0 win over Minnesota United before 7,042 fans at Lumen Field. This despite no Jordan Morris, no Nicolas Lodeiro with a quad injury, and learning a new formation.
The Loons were the initial aggressors in the first half, but were unable to generate decent scoring opportunities. At the other end, Wil Trapp was called for handball in the area and the Sounders were awarded a penalty in the 27th minute. Dayne St. Clair proved up to the challenge though by stopping Raul Ruidiaz’s spot kick. The Loons nearly went up themselves nine minutes later, but Robin Lod’s shot smashed off the woodwork.
The second half was all Sounders and they needed just four minutes to get on the board following a wonder strike from Joao Paulo from 25 yards out. Cristian Roldan preserved the lead in the 54th minute clearing a Brent Kallman shot off the line.
Three goals in a 16-minute span would follow for the hosts. Will Bruin sent a pass to Ruidiaz who scored on the volley to double the Sounders’ advantage. Ruidiaz made it a brace following a long ball from Freddy Montero and a crisp pass from Roldan. This was Montero’s first match in the Rave Green in nine years and it followed with his first goal for the club in nine years finishing off the scoring four minutes from time with an assist from Alex Roldan.
“I do have a soft spot in my heart for Fredy,” said Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer. “Seeing him score that goal, that was a just reward for his coming back to Seattle, working hard in preseason and coming into the game and changing the game. … There was (also) a little reminiscing about how he scored the first goal for this franchise in MLS history (in 2009).”
A crowd of 7,034 was on hand for the match. The first time in over a year fans were allowed to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Photo: Melissa Levin)
Prior to the start of the match, the Sounders joined the Loons in wearing black armbands and taking a starters’ photo together in remembrance and in honor of Daunte Wright, a 20-year old African-American who was shot and killed by police in suburban Minneapolis. Both teams issued statements regarding the photo.
The Sounders travel to LAFC next Saturday while Minnesota play host to Real Salt Lake, next Saturday.
