The Seattle Sounders defeated 2022 MLS expansion side Charlotte FC 2-1 on Sunday evening behind goals from Jordan Morris and Raúl Ruidíaz.
Obed Vargas nearly opened the scoring seven minutes in when he unleashed a vicious strike from 25 yards out. The 16-year-old was just inches away from opening his MLS goalscoring account.
Seven minutes later, Morris almost found the opener when a cross to the back post from Cristian Roldan found Morris’ head, but he put it over the crossbar.
Charlotte took the lead against the run of play in the 21st minute when Ben Bender scored a rebound off a Jordy Alcívar free kick from just outside the box. The ball ricocheted off the post and off goalkeeper Stefan Frei before falling to Bender’s feet in front of goal.
The Sounders nearly equalized in the 37th minute when Roldan picked out a near-post run from Morris, but his first-time effort went wide.
Morris finally found the breakthrough in the 72nd minute when he headed home his third goal of the season off a beautiful cross from Alex Roldan.
The Sounders found the match-winner in the 80th minute when Ruidíaz scored a beautiful curling hit to the far corner. The goal was Ruidíaz’s third of the MLS season to go along with another three in Concacaf Champions League.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Ruidíaz to the rescue
After having very few touches in the opening 80 minutes, Ruidíaz did what he’s done time and time again in a Sounders uniform, coming up clutch when his team needed him the most. He lives for the big moments and the pressure, and he pulled a golazo out of thin air.
Second-half comeback
After missing several chances in the opening 45 minutes, Seattle came back late to steal a deserved three points at home. The win is a huge buoy in the Sounders’ first of five consecutive home matches, especially as MLS play pauses because…
International break
The Sounders and MLS will take a two-week hiatus for a FIFA international break. Morris and Roldan will join the United States national team, while Albert Rusnák will join Slovakia. Seattle will return to Lumen Field on June 14 against Cascadia rival the Vancouver Whitecaps (7:30 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, 93.3 KJR FM El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
