The Seattle Sounders fell 2-1 against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night.
The hosts started off strong in the 6th minute when forward Dániel Sallói found space in the box, but his shot was directed straight at Stefan Frei for a simple save.
In the 10th minute, the Sounders nearly scored when movement out of the midfield from Albert Rusnák led to a give-and-go in the box with Raúl RuidÃaz along with space for him to take a strike, but his shot blazed over the goal.
The Sounders’ efforts on offense came to fruition in the 12th minute when João Paulo chipped the ball over Sporting’s defense and found Jordan Morris on the diagonal run, who then took a driving shot far post to give the Rave Green the lead.
But the lead only lasted seven minutes after a mis-clearance put Kansas City forward Johnny Russell in a position to hit the ball one-time from distance and into the back of the net.
In the second half, the Sounders put the pressure on early when Morris beat a player 1-v-1 down the left flank and placed the ball perfectly into the box for RuidÃaz to run onto, but he was just about a yard away from finishing the play.
Then in the 61st minute, Obed Vargas fired a shot opportunity at the top of the box after Reed Baker-Whiting’s cross was punched out by goalkeeper Tim Melia, but he skied it over the goal.
SKC had a chance to capitalize in the 69th minute when Alan Pulido took a volleyed shot off a quick turn, but it went directly into the hands of Frei.
The Sounders were forced to play down a man for the final stretch after Baker-Whiting received his second yellow card in the 74th minute.
Kansas City secured all three points when Alenis Vargas managed to strike a ball near post in the 85th minute to close out the match.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Magnificent Morris
Jordan Morris’ tally on Saturday night is his eighth career goal against Kansas City, which is the most of any active player in Major League Soccer.
Antino makes First Team debut
Antino Lopez made his MLS First Team debut in the 84th minute, subbing in for Albert Rusnák. Lopez earned a short-term agreement with the First Team for Saturday night’s match after showcasing strong performances as the starting center back for Tacoma Defiance.
Looking Ahead
The Sounders will face Minnesota United at home on June 15 in the club’s 50th Anniversary Celebration match at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). The match will feature new merch, music, and a celebration of five decades of history.
