SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders got a first-half goal from Will Bruin and a brace from Nicolás Lodeiro, pacing them to a wild 3-0 Decision Day victory over the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field on Sunday.
Seattle jumped on top in the first 10 minutes after Kelvin Leerdam sent a cross into the area that found Bruin right in front of the Colorado goal. The veteran striker made easy work of the finish, cashing it past Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard from point-blank range to give the Sounders the 1-0 lead.
Seattle almost relinquished that lead just after second-half kickoff when midfielder Harry Shipp was whistled for a handball in his own penalty box, giving Colorado’s Dominique Badji a look to equalize. But Badji fired his attempt off the post, allowing the Sounders to preserve the lead.
Lodeiro added the second of the day in the 60th minute after Colorado’s Axel Sjoberg was whistled for a penalty kick and shown a straight red card for fouling Bruin in his own box, allowing the Uruguayan to make it 2-0 from the spot. Lodeiro then cashed home a third in second-half stoppage time for good measure, sealing the 3-0 scoreline.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
FIRST ROUND BYE LOCKED UP
The Sounders already had a spot in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs going into the match, but Sunday’s victory also clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, meaning they’ll get a first-round bye. It’s a development that could prove especially pivotal this year, as the Sounders need all the time they can get to get healthy, with midfielders Osvaldo Alonso, VÃctor RodrÃguez andGustav Svensson as well as forward Jordan Morris among key contributors currently working their way back from injuries.
DEFENSE SHINES
Following Clint Dempsey’s first-half ejection, keeping a clean sheet might have seemed like a tall order playing a man down against a Rapids squad intent on playing spoiler. But Seattle’s back line and goalkeeper Stefan Frei proved up to the task, maintaining the 1-0 lead until Sjoberg’s red card leveled the playing field. Frei may have had the biggest play of the match, guessing correctly and laying out on Badji’s penalty attempt that ended up going off the post.
BRUIN GETTING HOT
Bruin had hit a bit of a goal-scoring lull following a hot start to the season but that appears to be a thing of the past now. After tallying a brace against FC Dallas last weekend, the 27-year-old added another on Sunday and was all over the place throughout the match, also drawing the penalty kick that allowed Lodeiro to bag the game-clinching goal. If Bruin can stay hot headed into the postseason, that can only mean good things for the Sounders’ attack.
