Sounders FC (9-1-5, 32 points) marksman Raul Ruidiaz’s 67th-minute goal from 40 yards out delivered an improbable win for the Sounders who started five teenagers in Thursday night 1-0 win over Austin FC (3-7-4, 13 points) . More astonishing was that Ruidiaz started the game on the bench due to the Sounders fixture congestion
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Head coach Brian Schmetzer started the second youngest lineup in MLS history and it showed in the first fifteen minutes. Reed Baker-Whitting, Obed Vargas, Josh Atencio, Ethan Dobbelaere, and Danny Leyva were all part of Schmetzer’s mix and match starting XI. Thursday’s contest was the second of three games in a seven-day stretch.
In addition to the youngsters, Samuel Adeniran and Spencer Richey were given their first starts of the season. After enduring a purple haze in the first 15 minutes the Sounders were able to find their feet with some short consecutive passes and grew into the game at the 23rd minute.
The visitors grew into the game resulting in Baker-Whiting half-chance in the 29th minute. His right-footed shot from the goal box resulted in an easy save for FC Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
WIDE-OPEN GAME
The Sounders foray into the Austin offensive half resulted in a wide-open game which saw the home side take the lead minutes later when Cecilio Domínguez
right footed shot from the right side of the box was saved by Richey.
The wide-open game made for some good eye candy but it was just that an illusion. Neither side was able to find the breakthrough. With Fredy Montero, Kelyn Rowe and marksman Raul Ruidiaz on the bench Schmetzer’s strategy of resting the big guns worked to perfection after a goalless first half
FORCING THE ISSUE
Austin FC started the second half as they did the first on the front foot and looking to score with a quickness. Having intent is all good and well but good intentions never scored a goal. Spacing, opening runs, intricate passes followed up with precision execution. Austin FC was not able to produce any of those attributes. In fact, going into the game Austin FC had scored just 10 goals and given up 14. With the game hanging on a knife-edge Schmetzer went to his bench for some firepower. Enter Rudiaz, Jimmy Mendrada, and Kelyn Rowe for Smith, Paulo, and Dobbelaere.
INSTANT DIVIDEND
After another lackluster goal attempt by Austin FC in the 59th minute the Sounders Ruidiaz simply scored the goal of the year. With Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver creeping of his line Ruidiaz lofted a 40 yard shot that sailed over the helpless keeper for a 1-0 lead.
After the wonder strike, the Sounders continued to boss the game with tight defending intricate passing that kept Austin FC at bay. Each side had a goal disallowed due to offside infractions. The Sounders in the 73rd minute when Ruidiaz’s possible brace was nullified. Austin FC’s transgression occurred just four minutes late when Cecilio Domínguez’s free-kick cross found Julio Cascante who slammed the ball into the back of the Sounders net. The Sounders were able to settle their nerves and see the game out. The win gets the Sounders back on the winning side after seeing their 13 match unbeaten record snapped last Sunday at Minnesota.
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