The Seattle Sounders picked up a 3-2 victory on the road over the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday night. Raúl Ruidíaz tallied a brace and Obed Vargas scored a stunner in the first half before Jack McGlynn and Daniel Gazdag scored in quick succession in the second half.
Seattle got off to a dream start when Ruidíaz opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a Goal of the Year contender. The Peruvian striker pounced on a mis-controlled ball by José Martínez and struck a first-time shot from just inside the halfway line, curling the ball around the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
Just nine minutes later, Vargas scored his first career MLS goal with a picturesque finish. The 18-year-old Homegrown Player glided past Olivier Mbaizo and drove the ball into the bottom corner from just outside the box to double the lead.
That duo once gain played a starring role in Seattle’s third goal. Vargas showed a bit of grit to win the ball inside the Union’s 18-yard box before drawing a foul to earn a penalty. Ruidíaz stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot kick with a cheeky Panenka finish down the middle, sending the Philadelphia goalkeeper the wrong way.
The hosts nearly pulled one back in first half stoppage time, but were denied by a pair of brilliant saves from Andrew Thomas.
Philadelphia pulled one back in the 55th minute when Jack McGlynn powered a shot into the bottom corner following a mis-cleared corner kick. Two minutes later, Daniel Gazdag added a second for the hosts when with a headed finish off a cross form Quinn Sullivan.
Jackson Ragen nearly added a fourth for Seattle in the 73rd minute when he rose highest to an Albert Rusnák corner kick, but his goal-bound header was clawed off the line by Union goalkeeper Oliver Semmle.
The Union came close to a late equalizer in the 85th minute, but Julian Carranza’s glanced header crashed back off the crossbar.
Despite a nail-biting ending to the match, the Sounders held on for a 3-2 victory on the road over the Union.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Gritty Win
Seattle appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory at the halftime break. Conceding two goals in two minutes could have crushed the morale of the group, but the Sounders dug deep and regained control of the match to pick up their first road win of the year.
Vargas Masterclass
Ruidíaz’s brace was certainly the catalyst for victory. But the two-way performance from Vargas was crucial to Seattle securing three points. Beyond his scoring a goal and drawing a penalty, he covered every inch of grass and bossed both sides of the ball against one of the best midfields in MLS.
Maintain Momentum
The Sounders will return home to Lumen Field on Sunday as they host the Western Conference-leading LA Galaxy (3:45 p.m. PT; Watch FREE on Apple TV | TICKETS) in the club’s Youth Day match.
