LUMEN FIELD - The Seattle Sounders began their homestand with a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night that brought the skid in form to a hopeful halt ahead of next week’s dual rivalry fixtures. A 22nd minute goal from Jordan Morris was all that was needed to secure the Sounders’ victory, though the American did exit with a groin injury shortly after scoring. Man of the Match Stefan Frei secured Seattle’s eighth clean sheet of the season - a league-leading tally - and Brian Schmetzer’s side entered a busy week with three points.
Cody Baker made his third start with the First Team after signing a full-time deal - the Sounders Academy product started opposite Alex Roldan (favored ahead of Reed Baker-Whiting on the night). However, the biggest news of the night was Raúl Ruidíaz’ return to the matchday squad; Seattle’s Peruvian Designated Player has missed several matches in the young season through injury, but did not feature off the bench after João Paulo picked up a red card in the 75th minute.
Aimee Arnold-Worthington / Area Sports Network
Despite that, Schmetzer told media to expect the forward to appear in some capacity in Seattle’s upcoming matches, telling Area Sports Network’s Niko Antoun that he’s “absolutely correct” that the red card prevented Ruidíaz’ cameo. The striker is, in the Sounders’ manager’s words, “available for minutes” and “you’ll see him against San Jose and Portland”.
The Sounders entered the half ahead for the first time in nine league matches, something that cannot be overstated in its importance. Their drop in form has largely been a result of those early deficits; even in their wins, they scored late goals to secure the points. Tonight’s eager start means that Seattle exits with those three points handily.
Equally important to the win was the defensive performance: NYRB were held without an answer for over 70 minutes by a defensive unit that now leads the league in shutouts. Frei said postmatch that, “We’ve been able to get a decent amount of clean sheets already this year and whenever we do so we put ourselves in good positions to get three points”.
Jordan Morris’ goal was a well-executed finish, the ultimate beneficiary of a time-and-again Léo Chú run that finally paid off for the Sounders’ wide players. Chú made Red Bulls fullback Dylan Nealis pay for his attacking forays, finding a ball from Cody Baker down the left-hand side that allowed the Brazilian winger to get his cross away.
Aimee Arnold-Worthington / Area Sports Network
Chú spoke post-match about his intention, saying that, “...the whole week, coach asked me the whole week about that - be in the left side and cross for the guys, and I think that today, it’s working”. He also mentioned the idea that he was actively wider on the night, saying that, “(During) the last games, I was trying to be inside and today I’m back to doing what I do better”. After his electric streak following a four-assist performance against Sporting Kansas City, he’s cooled off, but it’s a relief to see him back to his best.
Morris pulled up after finishing past Carlos Coronel, a worrying sign that eventually saw the USMNT forward sit down during the ensuing kickoff. The injury, reported post-match to be to the player’s groin, will see him out for the Sounders’ upcoming matches - Schmetzer told media that the goal, “...stops some of those naysayers”, but that the Homegrown player will likely miss the rivalry tie against the Portland Timbers: in his words, “It’s nothing significant…an adductor strain…he thinks that he’ll be back in two weeks”.
Asked to step in early following Morris’ injury, Dylan Teves put in an impressive shift in his roughly 70 minutes, displaying both tactical flexibility and the heart that he’s become known for. The University of Washington graduate initially featured in Morris’ place on the right side, but eventually took Héber’s place in lieu of either Ruidíaz or Fredy Montero.
Schmetzer praised the young midfielder after the match, saying, “Dylan came on…the injury happened and he had to come on real fast, that’s actually easier (for young players) so they don’t have time to think, but I would say that Dylan is a smart soccer player, and so when he did come on he was very good.”
Aimee Arnold-Worthington / Area Sports Network
While Ruidíaz did not feature off the bench, Nouhou’s continual return to action following the fan-favorite’s contraction of malaria provided the club with an ample amount of good news: nine minutes from the Cameroonian helped to close out the match and release pressure as Seattle battled to keep their clean sheet.
The Sounders remain at Lumen Field for the midweek match, setting up for a Heritage Cup battle with the San Jose Earthquakes in a 7:30 PM match that will not only provide an opportunity to maintain their place in the West’s top two, but also to garner form before the highly-anticipated Portland doubleheader matchday a week from last night. Both matches will stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV - the Cascadia Derby will also be available on FOX.
The presentation of a “doubleheader” matchday was initiated two years ago, when the Sounders and OL Reign faced their Rose City counterparts on the same night, a single-ticket event that drew record breaking crowds for the NWSL side and a sellout for the Rave Green. After taking last year off, the event of the summer will return for a day of soccer that could hold huge implications for the title race in both leagues.
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