The Seattle Sounders defeated Minnesota United 2-0 at Lumen Field on Friday night in the first group stage match of the 2024 Leagues Cup. Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock each scored late in the second half to propel Seattle to three points.
The Sounders had the first real opportunity in the 11th minute when Cristian Roldan drove down the right side and laid off a pass for Albert Rusnák, whose effort was denied by Dayne St. Clair.
Minnesota United almost took the lead in the 25th minute when Bongokuhle Hlongwane rose for a header that caromed off the crossbar.
Pedro de la Vega unleashed a shot from distance in the 30th minute that nearly caught a backpedaling St. Clair out of position, but de la Vega’s effort was wide of the net.
Morris had a breakaway chance in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, but St. Clair came up big to cut off the angle and deny Morris’ effort.
Jon Bell almost opened the scoring himself a minute later when Obed Vargas played a ball to the far post, but Bell mistimed his jump and sent his header wide.
The Sounders went up a man in the 64th minute when Minnesota’s Hasani Dotson was sent off for a bad challenge on Raúl Ruidíaz.
Reed Baker-Whiting unleashed a great effort from distance in the 71st minute, but it was right at St. Clair.
The best chance of the evening for the Loons came a minute later when Tani Oluwaseyi was played in behind but was denied by Andrew Thomas.
St. Clair came up with a big save in the 80th minute when he dove to deny a shot from Danny Leyva from 25 yards out.
The Sounders finally found the breakthrough in the 87th minute when Rothrock played a beautiful pass across the face of goal for Morris to slide and deflect in the opener.
Léo Chú forced St. Clair into a tough save in the 89th minute when he got down to deny an effort at the near post.
Seattle earned a penalty in the first minute of stoppage time when Cristian Roldan was fouled in the box, but St. Clair dove to his right to deny the penalty attempt from Rusnák.
The Sounders doubled their lead in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Morris returned the favor for Rothrock, who coolly finished a first-timed effort after Seattle turned over Minnesota in its defensive third.
The Sounders ran their perfect home record against Minnesota United to 10-0-0 in all competitions since the Loons entered MLS in 2017.
Minnesota United will host Liga MX’s Club Necaxa on Matchday 2 on Tuesday, July 30, before the Sounders host Necaxa on Matchday 3 on Sunday, Aug. 4 (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Morris comes up clutch again
Morris came up big when it mattered most, delivering the winning goal just three minutes from full time. The tally was Morris’ 10th in the last 14 matches in all competitions.
Thomas earns start, shutout
Following an impressive run in goal in the U.S. Open Cup, Thomas got the nod from Head Coach Brian Schmetzer and responded with a clean sheet.
Ruidíaz injury concern
After coming on as a substitute in the 56th minute, Ruidíaz was replaced by Chú in the 70th minute after being unable to play through the tackle that resulted in Dotson’s ejection.
