Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer shuffled the deck for his club’s midweek match with Western Conference Leaders Real Salt Lake. Schmetzer made six lineup changes from the squad that started Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers. Cody Baker (left back), Sota Kitahara( right back), Danny Leyva (midfielder), Leo Chu( left winger), Georgi Minoungou right winger, and Danny Musovski (striker )were all given the start. With Saturday’s upcoming match with the Vancouver Whitecaps, the rotated lineup was a prudent move by Schmetzer.
A FORCED HAND
On the bench for the Sounders were starters Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris, and The plan was derailed 21 minutes into the contest when Leo Chu suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Paul Rothrock.
“ The replacement of Leo altered some of our planning but you always have to deal with injuries, said head coach Brian Schmetzer in his post-game interview.
From the start, the Sounders were disjointed in attack and on defense. The effort was there a lack of familiarity was the culprit.
On offense not enough players made off-ball runs to create space. A lack of cohesive man-marking allowed Real midfielders Matt Crooks, Diego Luna, and Andres Gomez to run wild in the center of the pitch.
TOO MUCH SPACE
The inability to close down led to the Real’s first goal 27 minutes into the game. A throw-in deep in the Real Salt by the Sounders resulted in a turnover. A pass by Andrew Brody sent Luna galloping down the field who deftly passed it to Crooks who found a wide-open Gomez for the 1-0 lead. The Sounders did have some opportunities due to the dynamic play of Minoungou who’s ball dribbling skills allowed them to get down the left flank. Missing was a lack of execution inside the Real goal mouth. Albert Rusnack whiffed after an exquisite pass from Minoungou. Musovski’s right-footed shot a minute after the Real goal forced Rea keeper Gavin Beavers to make a kick save. The half ended with the home side holding the one-goal lead.
ANOTHER COSTLY MISTAKE
The Sounders continued their gritty play in the second half and just like the first, a lack of cohesion between the three blocks saw Real double its lead on another clinical counterattack. Bryan Vera was given time and space after a restart and was able to find a galloping Luna who beat Jackson Ragen and slotted the ball into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead. Schmetzer inserted Jordan Morris ( Rusnack), and Reed Baker-Whiting ( Baker) to ignite the Sounders attack but it was to no avail. Real continued to dominate the ball possession and shots on goal. Sounder goalkeeper Stan Frei made some outstanding saves to keep the scoreline at 2-0.
BIG TAKE AWAY
Schmetzer made the right choice in shuffling the deck and giving his young players a chance to perform on the big stage. With Saturday’s win over Portland the midweek match-up with Real would have been a tie at best and a loss at the worst. A win over Vancouver on Saturday would give the Sounders a six-point week.
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MATCH NOTES
- Sounders FC sits in 11th place in the Western Conference with 13 points (3-5-4), three points below the postseason cutoff line.
- This marked the first meeting between the two sides this season. Seattle is 16-17-8 all-time against RSL in MLS regular season and postseason action since joining the league in 2009.
- Tacoma Defiance midfielder Georgi Minoungou made his MLS debut with his start this evening via a short-term loan. Minoungou leads Defiance with five assists this season, tied for second in MLS NEXT Pro. He previously started Sounders FC’s win over Louisville City FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 8.
- Sota Kitahara started at right-back this evening, his second start of the season and first at fullback. Kitahara has also started five matches for Tacoma Defiance in 2024.
- Defiance defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was also available on the bench via short-term loan, but did not appear in the match.
- Reed Baker-Whiting made his second substitute appearance of the 2024 season, continuing to make his way back from a hamstring injury suffered in the fall.
- Wednesday marked the second of three matches in a span of seven days for Sounders FC. The Rave Green defeated archrival Portland 2-1 on Sunday, May 12 and host fellow rival Vancouver on Saturday, May 18.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 0 – Real Salt Lake 2
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Venue: America First Field
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistants: Logan Brown, Diego Blas
Fourth Official: Brad Jensen
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero
Weather: 65 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
RSL – Andres Gomez (Matt Crooks, Diego Luna) 27’
RSL – Diego Luna 58’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Cody Baker (caution) 55’
SEA – Cristian Roldan (caution) 85’
RSL – Andres Gomez (caution) 86’
RSL – Fidel Barajas (caution) 90’+2’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Sota Kitahara, Jackson Ragen (Yeimar 83’), Jonathan Bell, Cody Baker (Reed Baker-Whiting 65’); Danny Leyva, João Paulo (Cristian Roldan 46’), Georgi Minoungou*, Albert Rusnák (Jordan Morris 65’), Léo Chú (Paul Rothrock 21’); Danny Musovski
Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Alex Roldan, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi*, Dylan Teves
*Tacoma Defiance player on short-term loan
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-Kicks: 6
Saves: 7
Real Salt Lake – Gavin Beavers; Andrew Brody (Alexandros Katranis 46’), Brayan Vera, Justen Glad, Philip Quinton; Braian Ojeda (Nelson Palacio 85’), Diego Luna (Fidel Barajas 72’), Andres Gomez, Emeka Eneli, Matt Crooks (Maikel Chang 77’); Cristian Arango (Anderson Julio 72’)
Substitutes not used: Zac MacMath, Bryan Oviedo, Bertin Jacquesson, Tommy Silva
Total shots: 21
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 8
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 11
Saves: 2
– SOUNDERS FC –
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