A late goal by Jimmy Medranda salvages a 2-2 draw for Sounders against Whitecaps

MATCH NOTES 

• In a rivalry dating back to 1974 in the original North American Soccer League, tonight’s matchup marked the 144^th all-time contest between Sounders FC and Vancouver. In MLS regular-season play since 2011, Seattle moves to 15-7-6 all-time against Whitecaps FC.

• Scoring in the 40^th minute of play, forward Raúl Ruidíaz bagged his ninth goal of 2021, good for his 51^st career MLS goal for the Rave Green (regular season and playoffs). The only other player to hit 50 goals or more in MLS regular season and postseason play is Clint Dempsey (53 goals), while Fredy Montero holds the all competitions club scoring record (62 goals).

• Ruidíaz’s first-half goal gives him nine strikes so far in 2021, one behind the Galaxy’s Javier Hernández for first in MLS.

• Returning from a right quad strain, Homegrown midfielder Josh Atencio made his first start for the Rave Green since April 24 vs. LAFC. The 19-year-old bagged his first career assist in the 40^th minute of play, unlocking Vancouver’s defense with a deft through ball to an onrushing Brad Smith, who played the ball across the opposing area to Raúl Ruidíaz for the tap-in.

• With the final ball on Ruidíaz’s opening goal, Brad Smith earned his second assist of 2021, tying him with two other players for second in assists on the roster (Will Bruin and Alex Roldan). In his Sounders FC career, Smith has nine regular-season assists.

• Jimmy Medranda scored his first goal in over three years on Saturday night, striking a driven shot at the top of the eighteen-yard-box to level the score at two goals apiece. Medranda last scored in MLS on April 20, 2018 for Sporting KC, a match that was also against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

• After conceding the club’s first goal from open play of 2021 in the 49^th minute, Seattle’s streak was halted at 949 consecutive minutes. Having allowed just seven goals all season, tonight’s goals from Vancouver were the first allowed from open play this year. Previously, three goals came from penalties and another two from direct free kicks. Seattle had already set a new league record in this category, surpassing 2011 Real Salt Lake (803 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal from open play).

• With the win, Seattle remains unbeaten in 2021. Through 11 matches, the club has seven wins and four draws, good for 25 points. Should the club win or draw its next match, it would tie the all-time MLS record. Four clubs have started a season unbeaten through 12 games. The last team to accomplish this feat was Real Salt Lake in 2014.

• Following the win, Seattle remains atop both the Supporters’ Shield race and MLS Western Conference standings. The Rave Green lead Sporting Kansas City by two points in both sets of standings (the New England Revolution also have 23 points in the Eastern Conference).

• Following Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over RSL, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made two changes to tonight’s starting lineup against RSL: Brad Smith returned to his left wingback role for Jimmy Medranda, and Josh Atencio relieved Kelyn Rowe in central midfield.

• Tonight’s Lumen Field crowd of 25,603 was the biggest audience to see a Sounders FC match since March 7, 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began. 24,652 watched Wednesday’s win over RSL under the club’s evolving COVID-19 protocols. Beginning with the club’s July 7 home match versus Houston, Sounders FC contests will be fully open once again.