The Seattle Sounders FC wrapped up their home preseason schedule with a convincing 6-2 win over USL side Sacramento Republic Wednesday afternoon at CenturyLink Field
Five different Seattle players scored with Justin Dhillon recording a late brace, while Raúl Ruidíaz, Harry Shipp, Jordan Morris, and Alex Roldan also added goals as the Rave Green fleed their might.
Brian Schmetzer’s club now heads to Mexico City tomorrow for its second out-of-town preseason training camp before Concacaf Champions League play begins on February 20 at CD Olimpia.
Ruidíaz got the scoring started in the second minute of play, taking a couple touches outside the area before unleashing a 30-yard screamer into the top of net to make it 1-0. Shipp made it 2-0 seven minutes later on an assist from Kelvin Leerdam, the first of two from the fullback in the match.
In the 35th minute, new Designated Player João Paulo showed his quality with an over-the-top through ball down the right flank behind the defense to Leerdam, who calmly fed Morris inside the 18-yard-box to make it 3-0.
Seattle came out with a new squad for the final 45 minutes of play, with Justin Dhillon scoring a pair of goals, finishing a cross from Shandon Hopeau in the 78th minute before taking advantage of a goalkeeper mishap in the 97th, making it 5-2.
Alex Roldan, playing right back with the second group, added a late goal on an assist from Handwalla Bwana in the 117th minute. Sounders FC opens its 2020 campaign on February 20 in Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 action against Honduran side CD Olimpia in San Pedro Sula.
Seattle begins its 12th MLS season with a home match on Sunday, March 1 at 12:00 p.m. PT against Chicago Fire FC at CenturyLink Field.
MATCH SUMMARYSeattle Sounders FC 6 – Sacramento Republic FC 2Wednesday, February 5, 2020
SCORING SUMMARYS
EA – Raúl Ruidíaz 2′
SEA – Harry Shipp (Kelvin Leerdam) 9′
SEA – Jordan Morris (Kelvin Leerdam, João Paulo) 35′
SAC – 72′
SEA – Justin Dhillon (Shandon Hopeau, Chris Hegardt) 78
‘SAC – 96′S
EA – Justin Dhillon 97′
SEA – Alex Roldan (Handwalla Bwana) 117′
SOUNDERS FC LINEUPS
FIRST GROUP (75 MINUTES)- Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Xavier Arreaga, Shane O’Neill, Nouhou; Jordy Delem, João Paulo; Cristian Roldan, Harry Shipp, Jordan Morris; Raúl Ruidíaz
SECOND GROUP (45 MINUTES) – Stefan Cleveland; Alex Roldan*, Josh Atencio+, Sam Rogers+, Joevin Jones; Danny Leyva, Chris Hegardt^; Shandon Hopeau+, Handwalla Bwana, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez; Justin Dhillon
+ Player currently signed to Tacoma Defiance roster
* Unsigned SuperDraft selection or preseason guest player
^ Sounders FC Academy Player
