A dramatic strike by Cristian Roldan in stoppage time sent the Sounders back to the MLS Playoff. Josh Atencio flicked an Alex Roldan throw into the Los Galaxy and Cristian Roldan did the rest to give Sounders FC the dramatic 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy.
“I’m stoked, obviously to be in the playoffs again. That’s what matters the most, right? We unfortunately weren’t in the playoffs last year so to be able to clinch at home gives us a really good chance of making a strong run is more important to me. “ Roldan said after the game. “ But individually it’s great to be back and great to contribute and hopefully I can contribute some more.”
DREAM START
It looked like the Sounders would have an easy day of it against a Galaxy they have yet to lose too in the last 11 MLS games, when Jordan Morris celebrated the birth of his first child with a snap header in the nineth minute of play. A Joao Paulo cross from the right flank found Morris who sliced between two defenses to pop the ball into the back of the net.
Using the speed of Leo Chu on the left side and CRoldan on the right side the Sounders created numerous opportunities going at the belly of the Galaxy defense but it was of no avail. The Rave Green attack never found the earlier magic created by Morris in the 9th minute. As a result, the Sounders entered the halftime break with a 1-0 lead.
ANOTHER SLOW START TO START THE SECOND HALF
In what is becoming an all too often pattern the Sounders were flat to start the second half.
Spacing between the backline of Jackson Ragen, Yeimar ARoldan, and Nouhou became stretched due to gaps with midfielder Obed Vargas Joao Paulo and CRoldan. The Galaxy exploited the gaps in the Sounders midfield and scored nine minutes into the second half. Galaxy forward Tyler Boyd played a lofted pass to Julian Aude who was streaking down the left flank. Aude settled the ball and hit Douglas Costa who split Seattle’s defender accelerated with the ball at his feet and beat a helpless Stefan Frei for the equalizer.
DRAMATIC WINNER OUT OF NOWHERE
With his team flats and lacking continuity Brian Schmetzer made substitutions in search of the game-winner. In the 66th minute, Schmetzer inserted Nicolas Lodeiro for Albert Rusnack and Reed Baker-Whitting for Leo Chu. With the game winding down and the previous substations unable to tick the scales towards the Sounders. Schmetzer went for broke with two more substitutions in the 80th minute, Josh Antecio replaced Joao Paulo and Heber was inserted for Morris. The game looked to be a certain tie at the 90-minute. Six minutes of stoppage was added and that is all the Sounders needed to punch their ticket back to the MLS Playoffs
GAME NOTES
- Tonight’s win clinches a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs for Sounders FC, returning the club to the postseason after missing last year’s tournament for the first time in club history. Previously the Rave Green qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs from the team’s inaugural MLS season in 2009 through the 2021 campaign. Sounders FC has won two MLS Cups (2016, 2019), while reaching two other Finals as Western Conference champion (2017, 2020).
- Following tonight’s result, Sounders FC moves back into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference with two matches remaining in the MLS regular season. With 49 points, Seattle sits one point ahead of third-place LAFC and seven points behind first-place St. Louis in the West. The top four teams in the West are assured home-field advantage to begin the postseason.
- Since Leagues Cup play concluded in late July, Seattle has lost just one match out of eight contests (August 20 vs. Atlanta United). In its last seven, Sounders FC is unbeaten (3-0-4).
- Sounders FC is currently riding an 11-match unbeaten run in MLS play against the Galaxy (7-0-4) dating back to the 2019 season, the longest such streak in MLS history of any opponent against the Galaxy.
- In the all-time regular-season series, Seattle is now 14-10-13 against LA.
- Including tonight’s victory, Seattle claims the season series against the Galaxy, winning 2-1 on both occasions (April 1 at Dignity Health Sports Park). Outside of MLS action, the Galaxy defeated Sounders FC in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 matchup on May 10.
- Scoring in the ninth minute of play, Seattle winger Jordan Morris bagged his team-leading 11th goal of the season, good for his 53rd regular-season strike dating back to 2016.
- Morris’ goal was his first tally since August 30 at Austin, giving the Mercer Island native 64 goals in all competitions for the Rave Green, good for third in club history behind teammates Raúl Ruidíaz (78 goals) and Fredy Montero (79 goals).
- João Paulo earned his fifth assist of the season on Morris’ goal.
- Cristian Roldan’s match-winning goal in second-half stoppage time was his third strike of the season and his first since June 10 at Charlotte FC.
- Wednesday’s match marked 150th starts for Nouhou across all competitions. Earlier this season, the Cameroonian became the most-tenured Sounders FC defender in the club’s MLS history, surpassing former centerback Chad Marshall in total appearances.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – LA Galaxy 1
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Venue: Emerald Queen Casino at Lumen Field
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistants: Kathryn Nesbitt, Eric Weisbrod
Fourth Official: Sergeii Boiko
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.
Attendance: 30,495
Weather: 62 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Jordan Morris (João Paulo) 9’
LAG – Douglas Costa (Julian Aude) 54’
SEA – Cristian Roldan (Josh Atencio, Alex Roldan) 90’+6’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LAG – Kelvin Leerdam (caution) 38’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; João Paulo (Josh Atencio 80’), Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák (Nico Lodeiro 66’), Léo Chú (Reed Baker-Whiting 66’); Jordan Morris (Héber 80’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Kelyn Rowe, Xavier Arreaga, Paul Rothrock, Fredy Montero
Total shots: 18
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 13
Offside: 0
Corner-Kicks: 10
Saves: 0
LA Galaxy – Jonathan Bond; Julian Aude (Raheem Edwards 71’), Maya Yoshida, Kelvin Leerdam, Tony Alfaro; Tyler Boyd (Michael Barrios 88’), Uri Rosell, Edwin Cerrillo, Diego Fagundez (Dejan Joveljic 66’); Douglas Costa, Billy Sharp
Substitutes not used: Mauricio Cuevas, Gino Vivi, Novak Micovic, Daniel Aguirre, Adam Saldana, Jonathan Perez
Total shots: 5
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 10
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 1
Saves: 2
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