A 3-0 victory on Sunday evening vaulted Seattle Sounders FC (2-0-1, 7 points) to the top of the MLS Western Conference, as a brace from Raúl Ruidíaz and another goal from Brad Smith secured all three points over the LA Galaxy (2-1-0, 6 points). With the win, Seattle remains unbeaten in 2021, and the Rave Green have not lost to the Galaxy in their last five MLS matches against the Southern California side.
Ruidíaz’s first goal and Smith’s strike came within three minutes of each other, cementing a 2-0 scoreline for the home side by the 23rd minute of play. For Smith, the goal was his second tally in as many games, with the Australian scoring his first career MLS goal on April 24 at LAFC. Seattle’s attack was fluid throughout the night, and Ruidíaz found the back of the net again in second-half stoppage time, giving him four goals on the year and his 46th overall in 66 total MLS appearances (including postseason).
MEDIA NOTE: Select images from tonight’s first vaccination clinic at Lumen Field are included in the match gallery. As part of the organization’s dedication to public health and vaccination efforts statewide, it is partnering with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the City of Seattle, with assistance from Lumen Field and First & Goal Inc., to offer vaccinations to all eligible fans at home games. Fan vaccinations – like all COVID-19 vaccinations – are free of charge and are being made available on a walk-up basis with no appointments necessary.
Following tonight’s match, Seattle prepares for its first Cascadia contest of the season, as Brian Schmetzer’s side heads south to Portland on Sunday, May 9. Slated for a 12:00 p.m. PT kickoff, the contest is Seattle’s first on network television this season, with ABC broadcasting the match nationally.
MATCH NOTES
- With Sunday’s victory, Seattle remains unbeaten in 2021 (two wins and a draw), and the Rave Green are top of the Western Conference with seven points, one point ahead of the Galaxy and three other clubs.
- Seattle now has 15 wins, 15 losses and 11 draws all-time in all competitions against the Galaxy. Sounders FC has a 11-5-5 record at home in those matchups.
- Sounders FC is unbeaten in the club’s last five matches against the Galaxy (three wins and two draws). Seattle last lost to LA on September 23, 2018, a 3-0 road defeat.
- Seattle debuted its new Jimi Hendrix Kit tonight. Unveiled to overwhelming support last month, the vibrant and original kit was designed to pay homage to legendary musical artist and Seattle native Jimi Hendrix, and quickly became both the fastest-selling jersey in club history and the fastest-selling kit in the history of MLSstore.com.
- Raúl Ruidíaz’s two goals give him 46 strikes in 66 MLS appearances (including playoffs), putting him at a 0.75 goals per 90 minutes scoring rate. It marked the Peruvian’s ninth multi-goal game with the Rave Green.
- With four goals on the year, Ruidíaz is now second in the MLS Golden Boot race, one tally behind the Galaxy’s Javier Hernández.
- Following Seattle’s shutout, goalkeeper Stefan Frei earned his 84th career shutout, passing fifth-ranked Jon Busch. Frei now trails third-place Joe Cannon by two shutouts.
- Scoring his first Sounders FC goal last week at Los Angeles FC, wingback Brad Smith continued his strong form with a goal and an assist tonight against the Galaxy.
- After two consecutive starts to begin the season, midfielder Josh Atencio suffered a right quad strain in training on Saturday. Kelyn Rowe stepped into the starting lineup, making his first start for the Rave Green. The Federal Way native signed this offseason after nine seasons with the New England Revolution, Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake. Prior to tonight’s contest, he had appeared in both of Seattle’ previous contests as a substitute.
- Making his return from injury as a second-half substitute, club captain Nicolás Lodeiro made his 2021 debut this evening when he entered the match in the 66th minute. A mainstay for the Rave Green, the appearance marked the first time since Lodeiro joined the club in mid-2016 that he has not started (122 regular-season contests).
- Brian Schmetzer continued using the club’s 3-5-2 formation on Sunday, with one change to the backline and another in midfield. Yeimar Gómez Andrade stepped into the starting group for Xavier Arreaga, with Kelyn Rowe replacing the injured Josh Atencio. Will Bruin started up top alongside Ruidíaz. Alex Roldan and Brad Smith lined up as the wingbacks, flanking the three-man backline of Yeimar, Shane O’Neill and Nouhou.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 3 – LA Galaxy 0
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Assistants: Frank Anderson, Jeff Hosking
Fourth Official: Michael Radchuk
VAR: Malik Badawi
Attendance: 7,148 (limited capacity)
Weather: 65 and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (Brad Smith) 20’
SEA – Brad Smith 23’
SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (Jimmy Medranda) 90’+3’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
None
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Shane O’Neill, Nouhou, Brad Smith (Jimmy Medranda 79’); Cristian Roldan, Kelyn Rowe (Jordy Delem 89’), João Paulo (Danny Leyva 79’); Will Bruin (Nico Lodeiro 66’), Raúl Ruidíaz
Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Stefan Cleveland, Xavier Arreaga, Ethan Dobbelaere
Total shots: 17
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 6
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 2
LA Galaxy – Jonathan Bond; Oniel Fisher (Ethan Zubak 46’), Daniel Steres, Derrick Williams (Nick DePuy 46’), Jorge Villafana; Efrain Alvarez (Sacha Kljestan 46’), Jonathan dos Santos, Julian Araujo, Victor Vazquez (Cameron Dunbar 65’), Samuel Grandsir (Jonathan Perez 83’); Chicarito
Substitutes not used: Jonathan Klinsmann, Danilo Acosta, Carlos Harvey, Adam Saldana
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 10
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 6
