ST. PAUL, MINN. – Seattle Sounders FC (2-2-1, 7 points) scored on either side of halftime to secure a 2-1 road win at Minnesota United (2-1-2, 8 points) on Saturday night at Allianz Field. João Paulo and a Minnesota own goal courtesy of a Jordan Morris attack propelled Seattle to victory, handing Minnesota its first loss of 2022 and extending Seattle’s record in Minnesota to 3-1-1 since 2017. The win also moved Sounders FC’s record to 9-1-1 all-time across all competitions against the Loons. The Rave Green are now unbeaten in five matches across all competitions dating back to March 8 (three wins, two draws).
Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made four changes to his starting XI following the club’s last match at Austin FC on March 20. Stefan Frei, Kelyn Rowe, Nicolás Lodeiro and Morris replaced Stefan Cleveland, Nouhou, Obed Vargas and Léo Chú. All five of Sounders FC international callups from the March FIFA window appeared in today’s match: Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador), Morris (United States) and Cristian Roldan (United States) were in the starting XI, while Nouhou (Cameroon) and Obed Vargas (U.S. U-20) came on as substitutes.
Seattle broke the deadlock in the 38th minute of play with a beautifully orchestrated team goal. After Cristian Roldan played Morris down the left flank with a deft one-two touch, the Mercer Island native laid the ball off to Lodeiro at the top of the 18-yard-box. The Uruguayan playmaker then passed the ball to an onrushing João Paulo, who slotted an attempt home for his first MLS goal of the season and his sixth league strike overall.
Fresh out of the halftime break Morris helped double his side’s advantage, streaking down the left flank and playing a ball off Minnesota defender Brent Kallman into the back of Dayne St. Clair’s net for an own goal. Emanuel Reynoso pulled one back for the home side in the 82nd minute via penalty kick after Jackson Ragen was whistled for a foul inside the 18-yard-box. However, Sounders FC was able to withstand a late push by the Loons and leave with three points.
Following Saturday night’s match, the Rave Green return home to Seattle for the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Semifinals against New York City FC on Wednesday, April 6 (7:00 p.m. PT / FOX Sports, TUDN, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Wednesday’s match represents just the second Champions League Semifinal appearance in team history (2013), with the winner of the two-legged series advancing to face the winner of Cruz Azul and Pumas for the continental title.
MATCH NOTES
· Sounders FC is now 2-2-1 on the season and 4-2-3 across all competitions in 2022. The Rave Green are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions (3-0-2).
· Since Minnesota entered the league in 2017, Seattle leads the series between the two sides 9-1-1 across all competitions, including a 3-1-1 mark in Minnesota.
· João Paulo scored his first goal of 2022 and his sixth MLS strike since joining Sounders FC prior to the 2020 season. He now has three goals in four games against the Loons, tying Clint Dempsey and Will Bruin for the most by any Sounders player against Minnesota.
· Captain Nicolás Lodeiro made his first start of the 2022 regular-season campaign (his fourth appearance across all competitions), tallying his first MLS assist of the season on João Paulo’s goal. The Uruguayan had missed the previous five games across all competitions due to injury and health & safety protocols. The assist gives him 60 in MLS regular-season play, 20 more than any other player in club history.
· Raúl Ruidíaz made his first MLS regular-season appearance of 2022 as a halftime substitute. The Peruvian missed the last six games across all competitions due to injury.
· Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made four changes to his starting XI following the club’s last match at Austin FC on March 20. Stefan Frei, Kelyn Rowe, Nicolás Lodeiro and Jordan Morris replaced Stefan Cleveland, Nouhou, Obed Vargas and Léo Chú.
· All five of Sounders FC international callups from the March FIFA window appeared in today’s match: Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador), Jordan Morris (United States) and Cristian Roldan (United States) were in the starting XI, while Nouhou (Cameroon) and Obed Vargas (U.S. U-20) came on as substitutes.
· Jimmy Medranda made his first appearance on the matchday roster this season after missing the first eight matches due to injury. The 28-year-old started 15 of his 25 appearances last season, tallying four goals and three assists.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Minnesota United FC 1
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Venue: Allianz Field
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistants: Michael Barwegen, Adam Garner
Fourth Official: Thomas Snyder
VAR: Sorin Stoica
Attendance: 19,615
Weather: 40 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – João Paulo (Nico Lodeiro) 38’
SEA – Own Goal (Brent Kallman) 49’
MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (penalty) 82’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
MIN – Wil Trapp (caution) 10’
MIN – Robin Lod (caution) 56’
MIN – Michael Boxall (caution) 62’
SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 71’
MIN – Joseph Rosales (caution) 74’
MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (caution) 90’+4’
SEA – Kelyn Rowe (caution) 90’+5’
LINEUPS & STATS
Sounders FC - Stefan Cleveland; Alex Roldan, Jackson Ragen, Xavier Arreaga (Nouhou 76’), Kelyn Rowe; João Paulo, Albert Rusnák (Abdoulaye Cissoko 86’), Cristian Roldan, Nico Lodeiro (Obed Vargas 46’), Jordan Morris (Léo Chú 76’); Will Bruin (Raúl Ruidíaz 46’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Jimmy Medranda, Josh Atencio, Fredy Montero
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 12
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 3
Minnesota United FC – Dayne St. Clair; Bakaye Dibassy, Brent Kallman (Kemar Lawrence 63’), Michael Boxall; Emanuel Reynoso, Robin Lod, Wil Trapp, DJ Taylor (Bongokuhle Hlongwane 63’), Hassani Dotson; Luis Amarilla, Abu Danladi (Joseph Rosales 46’)
Substitutes not used: Tyler Miller, Jacori Hayes, Franco Fragapane, Niko Hansen, Adrien Hunou, Oniel Fisher
Total shots: 18
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 18
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 6
