The Seattle Sounders defeated 10-man Columbus Crew SC 4-0 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday behind a hat trick from Albert Rusnàk and another from Jordan Morris.
Morris had the first legitimate chance for either team in the 33rd minute when he pushed his one-timed, left-footed shot wide from 12 yards out.
Paul Rothrock forced goalkeeper Abraham Romero into a diving save in the 38th minute when he cut inside on the left and unleashed a shot heading to the far post.
The match was turned on its head in the 45th minute when Romero came charging out of his net on a through ball over the top and collided with Morris. The play went to Video Review and Romero was sent off.
Due to an injury and two international call-ups, Columbus employed only one goalkeeper on the matchday roster. With Romero ejected, Head Coach Wilfried Nancy elected to put midfielder Sean Zawadski in goal for the remainder of the match.
The Sounders scored on the ensuing free kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Rusnák buried his shot from 20 yards out.
Morris doubled the lead in the 60th minute when he dropped deep into his own half to receive a pass and drove at a retreating Crew defense. Morris dropped a pass off for Rothrock on the left side before Rothrock played Morris back in behind for the tap-in.
Rusnák added an insurance tally in the 67th minute when his shot at the top of the box beat Zawadski.
Rusnák earned his hat trick in the 70th minute when he completed a deft one-timed finish in the center of the box off a pass from Morris.
Léo Chú almost added a fifth in the first minute of stoppage time, but his effort rattled the crossbar.
The Sounders will return home to Lumen Field next Sunday for a clash against Sporting Kansas City (4:15 p.m. PT; FS1, Watch free on Apple TV | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
UP THE TABLE
The Sounders entered the weekend in eighth place in a tight Western Conference. Seattle ends the match in fifth, just one point behind fourth-place Colorado for the final home playoff position.
RUSNÁK MILESTONE
Rusnák notched his first career MLS hat trick with his three goals within half an hour of game time (45’+6’, 67’, 70’). He had recorded a brace five other times in his MLS tenure with Real Salt Lake and Seattle.
MORRIS BAGS ANOTHER
Morris added to his team-lead in goals with his 11th tally of the season. He tied his total from last season and is one off tying his career-high of 12 he set in his rookie season in 2016.
