Sounders put MLS on notice with a dominant 2-1 win over Loons

POSTGAME NOTES

MATCH NOTES

• Sounders FC is now 2-2-1 on the season and 4-2-3 across all competitions in 2022. The Rave Green are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions (3-0-2).

• Since Minnesota entered the league in 2017, Seattle leads the series between the two sides 9-1-1 across all competitions, including a 3-1-1 mark in Minnesota.

• João Paulo scored his first goal of 2022 and his sixth MLS strike since joining Sounders FC prior to the 2020 season. He now has three goals in four games against the Loons, tying Clint Dempsey and Will Bruin for the most by any Sounders player against Minnesota.

• Captain Nicolás Lodeiro made his first start of the 2022 regular-season campaign (his fourth appearance across all competitions), tallying his first MLS assist of the season on João Paulo’s goal. The Uruguayan had missed the previous five games across all competitions due to injury and health & safety protocols. The assist gives him 60 in MLS regular-season play, 20 more than any other player in club history.

• Raúl Ruidíaz made his first MLS regular-season appearance of 2022 as a halftime substitute. The Peruvian missed the last six games across all competitions due to injury.

• Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made four changes to his starting XI following the club’s last match at Austin FC on March 20. Stefan Frei, Kelyn Rowe, Nicolás Lodeiro and Jordan Morris replaced Stefan Cleveland, Nouhou, Obed Vargas and Léo Chú.

• All five of Sounders FC international callups from the March FIFA window appeared in today’s match: Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador), Jordan Morris (United States) and Cristian Roldan (United States) were in the starting XI, while Nouhou (Cameroon) and Obed Vargas (U.S. U-20) came on as substitutes.

• Jimmy Medranda made his first appearance on the matchday roster this season after missing the first eight matches due to injury. The 28-year-old started 15 of his 25 appearances last season, tallying four goals and three assists.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Minnesota United FC 1

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Venue: Allianz Field

Referee: Ismail Elfath

Assistants: Michael Barwegen, Adam Garner

Fourth Official: Thomas Snyder

VAR: Sorin Stoica

Attendance: 19,615

Weather: 40 degrees and clear

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – João Paulo (Nico Lodeiro) 38’

SEA – Own Goal (Brent Kallman) 49’

MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (penalty) 82’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

MIN – Wil Trapp (caution) 10’

MIN – Robin Lod (caution) 56’

MIN – Michael Boxall (caution) 62’

SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 71’

MIN – Joseph Rosales (caution) 74’

MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (caution) 90’+4’

SEA – Kelyn Rowe (caution) 90’+5’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Cleveland; Alex Roldan, Jackson Ragen, Xavier Arreaga (Nouhou 76’), Kelyn Rowe; João Paulo, Albert Rusnák (Abdoulaye Cissoko 86’), Cristian Roldan, Nico Lodeiro (Obed Vargas 46’), Jordan Morris (Léo Chú 76’); Will Bruin (Raúl Ruidíaz 46’)

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Jimmy Medranda, Josh Atencio, Fredy Montero

Total shots: 14

Shots on goal: 7

Fouls: 12

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 5

Saves: 3

Minnesota United FC – Dayne St. Clair; Bakaye Dibassy, Brent Kallman (Kemar Lawrence 63’), Michael Boxall; Emanuel Reynoso, Robin Lod, Wil Trapp, DJ Taylor (Bongokuhle Hlongwane 63’), Hassani Dotson; Luis Amarilla, Abu Danladi (Joseph Rosales 46’)

Substitutes not used: Tyler Miller, Jacori Hayes, Franco Fragapane, Niko Hansen, Adrien Hunou, Oniel Fisher

Total shots: 18

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 18

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 5

Saves: 6