The Seattle Sounders defeated Columbus Crew SC 2-1 on Saturday in Ohio at the end of a three-match road swing this week.
In a rematch of MLS Cup 2020, neither team was able to find a breakthrough until the 78th minute when Bradley Wright-Phillips tapped home a close shot after a deflection off a corner kick.
The Sounders responded with two goals in two minutes in the 88th and 89th minutes to steal three points. Xavier Arreaga pulled one back for Seattle when he tapped home a cross from Jimmy Medranda that goalkeeper Eloy Room couldn’t steer to safety. Will Bruin then scored the match-winner when Medranda cushioned a pass into Bruin’s path before he picked out the far corner.
Seattle’s nearly took the lead in the 49th minute when João Paulo hit the crossbar from outside the box on a left-footed one-timed effort. Columbus hit the crossbar as well in the 58th minute when Derrick Etienne Jr.’s close header rattled the underside of the bar, but he was whistled offside.
Goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland needed just one save all match, but it was a good one in the 74th minute when he parried a Pedro Santos shot from deep over the bar.
Raúl Ruidíaz, Cristian Roldan, João Paulo, Alex Roldan, Yeimar and Nouhou will depart for the 2021 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, Aug. 25 (6:30 p.m. PT; FS1), at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. The Sounders then return to MLS play next Sunday when they host the Portland Timbers (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Lodeiro’s first start
After coming off the bench in the last three matches following his return from knee surgery, Lodeiro earned his first start of 2021. The Sounders captain went 83 minutes as he returns to full fitness.
Bruin the hero
Bruin scored his first goal of the season in dramatic fashion to secure all three points for the Sounders. He came on as a substitute just six minutes earlier and made an instant impact by picking out the side netting.
Nine-point week
The Sounders completed their second nine-point week of the season after defeating the Portland Timbers 6-2 last Sunday and FC Dallas 1-0 on Wednesday. What was even more spectacular was that all three wins came on the road.
