Captions by Steven Agen & Toby Dunkelberg
Photos by Max Aquino, Matt Warso & Nick Danielson
The Seattle Sounders hosted the Western Conference-leading Colorado Rapids on Saturday night, dropping a tight 1-0 decision to an Axel Sjoberg header off of a Marc Burch corner.
Seattle came out the hungrier of the two sides, pressing the tempo and controlling possession early. Their efforts were nearly rewarded in the first ten minutes. Three Seattle chances were punctuated by a Dempsey effort that Zach MacMath saved on 9’.
The Rapids saw only 38.1% of the ball in the first period, getting outpassed by one and a half times by the Sounders (333 attempted to 208).
Despite the lack of possession, Colorado had their own dangerous moments on the break. One got the sense that the Sounders may fall into the trap of creating chances without scoring again.
The home side did, in fact, fall into that familiar trap, conceding off a corner on 43’. Former Sounder Marc Burch played a left-footed corner at the young unmarked centerback Sjoberg, who headed home the game’s only goal.
The Rapids had been patient and survived the initial onslaught from Seattle. In fact, Sjöberg’s goal was also the visitors’ only shot on target in the first half. He made it count and the Rapids carried a 1-0 lead into the break.
The Sounders responded in turn. They came out full of energy in the second half and immediately put the Rapids on the back foot due to crisp ball movement and switches.
Despite the vast difference in possession Colorado and Kevin Doyle continued to pressure Seattle’ back line. They earned their best chance of the second half on a break when Doyle managed to toe poke it past several Seattle defenders to a wide open Solignac. Although his effort ultimately clattered off the left post it forced a large sigh of relief from the 41,028 fans in attendance.
After narrowly avoiding disaster Seattle settled down in the back and started to dial up the pressure committing both fullbacks and pressing their line higher.
Jordan Morris, perhaps overly eager to add to his goal tally, had two brilliant chances just before the 70th minute. The first came when he cut in off the right and curled it just wide of the left post.
His second was even more sterling. Morris found himself one on one with MacMath but his shot sailed high over the bar.
Seeking that final touch the Sounders opted to add Herculez Gomez and Oalex Anderson to their attack. After mere moments on the field Anderson forced a yellow card from Mekeil Williams. But as a result Anderson picked up an injury and the Sounders had to bring in Dylan Remick to replace him.
The Rapids continued to make subs in order to stall the game out, while Seattle continued to throw numbers forward. Colorado held steadfast as they’ve done so many times this year. This time thanks to a goal line clearance from Marc Burch and stellar goal keeping from Zac MacMath.
The matchup between the Western Conferences worst offenses and best defenses ended in an otherwise predictable 1-0 win for the better defense. The Rapids continue their league leading form while the Sounders are once again left looking for solutions to their anemic attack.
Sounders FC
Colorado Rapids
