LUMEN FIELD - April’s first top-of-the-table clash in the Western Conference did not disappoint below gloomy skies in Seattle as the Seattle Sounders humbled the new kids on the block, demolishing St. Louis CITY SC 3-0.
Despite missing star center midfielder João Paulo to a hamstring issue, the Sounders were well-stocked in attack, with Raúl Ruidíaz garnering praise for his first goal of the season while academy product Josh Atencio grabbed headlines for his opener, the first of his career. Seattle ended the night atop the Western Conference after toppling CITY SC’s grip on the number one spot.
However, the match started with offensive questions. The first half frustrated both attacks, with a stifling show resulting in João Klauss’ shot off Stefan Frei’s left upright remaining the best chance from either side. St. Louis’ high press was unhindered by Bradley Carnell’s switch to a back five, with Klauss and Nicolas Gioacchini looking to minimize Yeimar and Jackson Ragen’s contributions in the buildup.
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer’s continued faith in the electric duo of Jordan Morris and Léo Chú was finally shaken, with the two combining just once before Chú was withdrawn in favor of Designated Player and club record scorer Raúl Ruidíaz. His second such appearance since returning from international duty with Peru, the preseason lock for the number nine spot has seemingly lost his spot to Jordan Morris in light of the American’s red-hot form over the past two match weeks.
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Schmetzer addressed the forward’s continued absence postmatch, saying, “...he rewarded himself and all of the hard work and patience that he’s had. I’ve had multiple conversations with Raúl…I believe as the season goes on that we will see Raúl’s smile and his determination.” Club captain Nicolas Lodeiro discussed Ruidíaz’s contribution to the match, repeating Schmetzer’s assurances that, “(Raúl) is a great player…the team needed Raúl. Today, the victory is important, but (so) is Raúl.”
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Seattle’s last battle with one of the West’s top sides, against LAFC in Matchweek 4, saw a similar tactical battle. Facing Steve Cherundolo, Schmetzer looked to take advantage of Morris’ speed on the outside and Ruidíaz’s finishing ability but ultimately failed to break the deadlock. Against St. Louis, Seattle struggled in the first half to create the freakishly quick sequences that have become their trademark in 2023, instead often opting to ping a ball into the corner for Chú or Cristian Roldan to chase.
The offensive frustration saw the Sounders’ midfield forced into shots from the top of the box, rarely testing Roman Burki until academy product Josh Atencio unleashed a cutback from Nicolas Lodeiro that ripped past the Borussia Dortmund legend for the opener. The goal, in itself a knife through the tense air in Lumen Field. Immediately after the goal, Jordan Morris saw two chances before Burki made a mess of Alex Roldan’s cut across the six-yard box, with Ruidíaz on hand to turn the loose ball home.
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St. Louis, a side who’d conceded only four goals in their opening six matches, capitulated in front of the Sounders faithful. The second straight loss intimated the idea that the side’s form may have been the very thing keeping them going. They held Seattle to slim chances in the first half, but the avalanche of chances after Atencio’s strike in the 66th minute reminded the Sounders of their relative inexperience.
With the introduction of Héber in the 82nd minute, Seattle moved to a two-forward look - something that Schmetzer foreshadowed after the first match of the season. The attacking push compounded St. Louis’ issues, with a front four of Morris, Lodeiro, Héber, and Ruidíaz flipping St. Louis’ back five on its head.
By the final five minutes, Seattle was cutting through St. Louis’ press with ease, a great sign from the side who struggled to beat a Cincinnati side who employed a similar strategy in Seattle’s lone loss on the season. Schmetzer spoke on the comparisons to what seems to have been Seattle’s toughest outing of the season as of yet in Ohio, saying, “I don’t know if there was anything that we could take out of the Cincinnati game…we had talked about patience. We didn’t see (the back five) coming, but we talked about it…we gave the guys a few hints.”
While, as Schmetzer noted, “...it didn’t really gel until the second half,” Seattle’s handling of a tactical system designed to stifle their rapid attack provides reassurance that there are multiple looks for this side as they keep their focus on the playoffs.
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The shutout crowned Stefan Frei’s 323rd start for the club, a feat that saw the Sounders’ netminder surpass former captain Osvaldo Alonso for the club record. His mentality, he said, was focused on the idea that “I’m proud of it too…just to be able to play for a while now. I feel like (everyone) says, ‘Oh, you’re a goalkeeper, you can play until you’re 40!’...trust me, it doesn’t come that easy.”
Frei’s performance behind an unchanged defensive line means that Seattle is still yet to concede at home through four matches. Schmetzer made an opening statement postmatch that laid praise on Frei’s career with Seattle. The Seattle coach said, “Ozzie Alonso was an icon for this club…Stef is tenacious, such a good professional, top-notch goalkeeper…congratulations to Stef, and what an accomplishment.”
Seattle’s push to the top of the Supporters’ Shield race continues next week with the Sounders’ first Cascadia Cup duel of the season against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The Sounders’ rivals faced the Vancouver Whitecaps on the West Coast slate for Matchweek 7 last night, falling victim to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of their Cascadia rivals.
The match will stream on MLS Season Pass - a subscription to the league’s flagship streaming service is required to watch; the match kicks off at 7:30 PDT.
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