The Seattle Sounders conceded a first-half goal to Darwin Quintero but got two goals from Nicolás Lodeiro and Will Bruin in second-half stoppage time, pulling out a miracle 2-1 win over Minnesota United at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday evening.

Seattle controlled the action to start the match but couldn’t capitalize on any of the handful of looks they generated. It would come back to bit them in the 19th minute as Quintero managed to free himself up in the Seattle penalty box and slot home a cheekily taken finish past diving Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, staking the hosts to a 1-0 advantage.

The Loons took control following the tally, as new Designated Player Angelo Rodriguez and Quintero each hit the post on opportunities to double the lead. Seattle would withstand the pressure, however, and make into the halftime locker room with the one-goal deficit.

The contest looked destined for a 1-0 defeat for the Rave Green, but referee Drew Fischer awarded a penalty kick just at the start of second-half stoppage time, allowing Lodeiro to cash home the game-tying goal from the spot. That looked like the final scoreline as well, but Bruin found a dramatic game-winner at the death, chipping home a headed through ball from Raúl Ruidíaz to send Seattle to the improbable 2-1 victory.

THREE TAKEAWAYS

LATE GAME THEATRICS

Finishes don’t come much more dramatic than that, as Seattle looked much more likely to leave deflated with no points in hand than they were to take all three as the contest hit second-half stoppage time. It was Lodeiro and Bruin to the rescue, however, sending the Sounders to a miracle victory that also has them creeping ever-closer to that coveted Western Conference playoff spot. It wasn’t how Head Coach Brian Schmetzer drew it up, but at this point, he also knows his team needs three points any way it can get them. Consider that mission accomplished.

UNBEATEN STREAK LIVES

The Sounders had been on their best run of form of the season coming into the matchup, with a 4-0-2 record in their last six games to climb back into the playoff picture.Thanks to Lodeiro and Bruin that mark is now 5-0-2 with Seattle’s overall record on the season moving to 8-9-5 and 29 points through 22 matches.

Nicolás Lodeiro celebrates the equalizing goal in stoppage time / Rich Moll

HEAVYWEIGHTS ON DECK

Continuing this run will be a challenging task. The Sounders host Western Conference-leading FC Dallas at CenturyLink Field next Sunday, August 12. Oscar Pareja’s men haven’t been getting as much attention nationally as Atlanta United, but they’re quietly putting up a sterling season with a 12-3-6 record to give them 42 points from their 21 matches. After that, it’s another home matchup against Western Conference foe LA Galaxy, who are right in the thick of the playoff race under former Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid.

MIN - Darwin Quintero 19'
SEA - Nicolás Lodeiro 90'+1'
SEA - Will Bruin (Raúl Ruidíaz) 90'+7'

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA - Waylon Francis (Unsporting Behavior) 78'
MIN - Miguel Ibarra (Handball) 90'+1'
SEA - Nicolás Lodeiro (Delaying the restart of play) 90'+2'