The Sounders started Saturday’s game against FC Dallas active on both ends of the pitch. The offense was engaged, and the defense locked in. Twelve seconds into the contest, Dallas had a cross that was neatly headed out of the box by Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. A marked improvement from their lethargic start in last week’s 3-0 loss at San Diego, where the team was down 1-0 after just two minutes of play. Head coach Brian Schmetzer and Cristian Roldan talked all week about the importance of a good start and not having to chase the game.
“First and foremost, we cannot shoot ourselves in the foot. You force things. Defensively, we have to be solid and in front of the goal, we have to be lethal. We are struggling right now,” said Roldan after the teams Thursday practice at Longacres.
FRONT FOOT FOR A CHANGE
The players took those words to heart and started on the front foot for a change. The insertion of Danny Musovski up front with Pedro de la Vega tucked in on the right and Jesus Ferreira on the left with clear intentions of running into space and at FC Dallas defenders put the home side on its heels. Credit young gun wingbacks Kolani Kossa-Rienzi and Paul Rothrock for filling into the created space and creating opportunities for the front line. The synchronized movements paid dividends in the 17th minute when Rothrock fed a pass to Cristian Roldan, who found De la Vega in a pocket on the right side. The Argentinian quickly cut inside with the ball and unleased a left-footed shot that ricocheted off the post to a waiting Musovski, who pounced on the ball for the 1-0 Sounders lead.
CONTINUED PUSH UPFRONT
The Sounders continued to hunt for a second goal but it never materialized. It was not from a lack of trying. In the 40th minute, De la Vega made a swift turn with the ball and waited for a delayed run by Musoviski, who corralled the ball inside the Dallas goal box only to have his shot blocked for a corner. The Sounders were unable to capitalize on the set piece, and the score line remained at 1-0. Roldan’s shot from the top of the goal box in stoppage time nearly gave the Sounders the goal they were seeking.
A last-ditch save by FC Dallas netminder Maarten Paes kept the scoreline at 1-0. Seconds before the halftime break, both teams were hit with game-changing injuries as the half ended. FC Dallas striker and team leader in goals Petar Musa suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the field. Center back Jackson Ragen suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Kim Kee-Hee to start the second half.
SOLID DEFENSE
The Sounders earned their second win of the season, and first road win with a solid second half in. The team stayed composed, determined, and aware of the price needed to pay for a victory. Dany Leyva started the second half for De la Vega, who was on a minute restriction and did a masterful job of playing solid and steady defense. The game became disjointed from the 64th minute to the 66th, with several fouls and yellow cards issued.
The Sounders stayed resolute. Reed Baker-Whiting replaced Musvoski, and Cody Baker was inserted for Kossa-Rienzi. The two young guns proved they were ready for the moment by making smart decisions in possession and staying within the team’s defensive shape when defending.
SEEING IT OUT
The win put the Sounders back on track after last Saturday’s soul-searching defeat to San Diego. More impressive was how the Sounders won the must-win game. Yes, they had effort, as they always do. What they had in Saturday’s win over FC Dallas was purpose, patience, and an awareness of the objective when defending and attacking.
POST GAME NOTES
MATCH NOTES
- With the result, Seattle sits in 11th place in the Western Conference with nine points (2-3-3). The victory snapped a four-match winless streak (0-2-2) in MLS action.
- The match concluded a three-match road stretch for Seattle, with the Rave Green capturing four points (1-1-1) against San Jose, San Diego and Dallas.
- Saturday marked the 46th time that Seattle has faced Dallas in the regular season and playoffs, tied with the LA Galaxy for Sounders FC’s most-played opponent in MLS. The Rave Green lead the series 22-11-13, including a current six-match unbeaten streak in regular-season play (3-0-3).
- Danny Musovski scored his first MLS goal of the season in the 17th minute. The striker also scored earlier this year against Cruz Azul in Concacaf Champions Cup play and recorded two goals in all competitions last year.
- Seattle forward Jesús Ferreira made his first return to FC Dallas tonight after he was acquired by the Rave Green this offseason. Ferriera played with Dallas from 2017-2024, scoring 53 goals and tallying 34 assists.
- Yeimar made his 150th career regular season start tonight since he joined the club in 2020.
- Kim Kee-hee made his first appearance for Sounders FC since re-joining the team earlier this year. The South Korea international previously played for Seattle from 2018-2019.
- Brian Schmetzer made three changes to the lineup from last week’s match in San Diego, with Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Pedro de la Vega and Danny Musovski replacing Alex Roldan (quad injury), Georgi Minoungou and Albert Rusnák (adductor injury).
- Seattle now returns home to face Nashville SC on Saturday, April 19 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (4:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – FC Dallas 0
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Referee: Filip Dujic
Assistants: Meghan Mullen, Kevin Lock
Fourth Official: Lorenzo Hernandez
VAR: John Krill
Attendance: 11,004
Weather: 80 degrees and sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Danny Musovski (Pedro de la Vega) 17’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
DAL – Kaick Ferreira (caution) 8’
SEA – Danny Musovski (caution) 25’
DAL – Nolan Norris (caution) 28’
DAL – Luciando Acosta (caution) 63’
DAL – Manuel Cafumana (caution) 64’
SEA – Danny Leyva (caution) 66’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei – Captain; Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Jackson Ragen (Kim Kee-hee HT), Nouhou; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (Cody Baker 74’), Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldan, Paul Rothrock (Georgi Minoungou 88’); Pedro de la Vega (Danny Leyva HT), Danny Musovski (Reed Baker-Whiting 73’), Jesús Ferreira
Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Jonathan Bell, João Paulo, Jordan Morris
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 14
Fouls: 20
Offside: 3
Corner-Kicks: 5
Saves: 1
FC Dallas – Maarten Paes; Nolan Norris (Pedro Martins75’), Osaze Urhoghide, Sebastien Ibeagha, Shaq Moore; Kaick Ferreira (Léo Chú 58’), Ramiro Benetti (Tsiki Ntsabeleng 75’); Patrickson Delgado (Manuel Cafumana 58), Luciano Acosta, Anderson Julio; Petar Musa (Logan Farrington 45’+2’)
Substitutes not used: Lalas Abubakar, Bernard Kamungo, Diego García, Michael Collodi
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 16
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 3
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