The Seattle Sounders defeated the New York Red Bulls 1-0 at Lumen Field on Saturday behind a first-half goal from Jordan Morris. It was the first meeting between the two clubs since 2019.
Morris nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute when his header at the far post on a Léo Chú cross was sent over the bar.
Morris found the ultimate match-winner in the 23rd minute when Chú played a perfect ball into Morris’ path six yards from goal that he redirected into the back of the net. The celebrations were muted, however, as Morris appeared to have injured his groin on the play and exited the match shortly after.
The Red Bulls’ best chance of the first half came in the 45th minute when Hassan Ndam headed a cross just wide of the net.
Nicolás Lodeiro had a chance one minute into the second half when his one-timed shot off a cross from Alex Roldan went over the crossbar.
Héber almost doubled the lead two minutes later when his outstretched effort to reach an Albert Rusnák cross went wide of the net.
The Red Bulls had an opportunity to equalize in the 50th minute when Elias Manoel’s header from six yards out was hit right at Stefan Frei in goal.
Frei came up with a massive save in the 66th minute to parry Manoel’s shot on a 1-v-1 attempt out wide for a corner.
The Sounders were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when João Paulo was sent off after receiving his second yellow card. Seattle gutted out the shorthanded victory to jump back into first place in the Western Conference with 26 points from 15 matches.
The Sounders return to action on Wednesday for their second of three home matches this week when they welcome the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Chú to Morris yet again
Chú assisted on a Morris goal for the sixth time this season and the first since the Sounders’ win over the LA Galaxy on April 1. The goal was Morris’ ninth of the season, which is second in MLS behind only LAFC’s Dénis Bouanga. Chú moves into a tie for third in the league in assists with six.
Another home clean sheet
Frei and the Sounders defense earned their league-leading eighth clean sheet of the season and their sixth at Lumen Field. Seattle has conceded just four goals in eight home matches.
Ruidíaz returns to matchday roster
Although he did not see the field, it was a promising sight for the Sounders to have Raúl Ruidíaz back available on the matchday roster after missing the last six weeks with a hamstring injury. Ruidíaz’s last appearance came when he scored against the Portland Timbers on April 15.
