RECAP: Sounders win second straight league match with 1-0 result in Houston

The Seattle Sounders defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 on Wednesday at PNC Stadium in Houston, Texas, behind a goal from Raúl Ruidíaz.

The two teams traded chances in the opening half before Ruidíaz scored in the 28th minute after a beautiful team buildup. Nouhou combined with Nicolás Lodeiro, whose one-time flick played in Jordan Morris to the left end line. Morris crossed through the box to Alex Roldan, who whipped a pass into the path of Ruidíaz and the Peruvian one-timed home from close range.

The Dynamo were pressing hard for an equalizer out of halftime, but the match was turned in Seattle’s favor in the 54th minute when Houston’s Coco Carrasquilla was sent off. The Panamanian picked up his second yellow card after fouling Lodeiro on a counterattack.

• CLICK HERE TO WATCH HIGHLIGHTS ON THE SOUNDERS FC APP

The Sounders were reduced to 10 men themselves in the 82nd minute when Alex Roldan received a second yellow card of his own and was sent off.

The Sounders will play their third match in eight days when they head to Colorado to take on the Rapids on Sunday (5 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM).

THREE TAKEAWAYS

Back-to-back wins

The Sounders came into this past weekend with seven points through eight matches while juggling Concacaf Champions League play. With CCL behind them, they’ve now taken six points in the last four days.

Ruidíaz in rhythm

Ruidíaz found the back of the net for the second time in as many matches. After many rotations early in the season with CCL, Ruidíaz opened his 2022 MLS account last Sunday against Minnesota and continued that good form into Wednesday in Houston.

First clean sheet

Stefan Frei and the Sounders earned their first clean sheet in 10 MLS matches to start the season. They had four in eight CCL matches, but finally kept a zero in league play to garner another valuable three points and their second away win.