By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Sounders welcomed Charlotte FC to town for the first time ever, defeating the first-year club 2-1. Going down early due to Ben Bender’s goal in the 21st minute, Seattle had several chances in the first half that couldn’t find the mark. A header goal by Jordan Morris in the 72nd, and a Raul Ruidiaz wonder goal in the 80th secured three points for Seattle.
The Sounders wore shirts that said "Wear Orange" in support of ending gun violence (Photo Melissa Levin)
Making the most of their chances
While the Sounders did have 16 shots, only three were on target and they struggled in the first half to do much at all. It seemed like Seattle’s Jordan Morris was hit with a string of bad luck, continuously missing opportunity after opportunity. But Seattle would be able to put away two of those three shots on target, and that is all they would need. Alex Roldan sent beautiful service in to Jordan Morris with his left foot (a rare sighting), and Morris would redirect the cross smoothly to the right of Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina. Finally, about 50 minutes after Bender's goal, the Sounders had equalized.
Jordan Morris scored his first header goal since 2020 (Photo Melissa Levin)
Seattle was able to strike while the iron was hot, just eight minutes after that Morris goal. On a set piece, Nico Lodeiro fired the ball across the box, finding Raul Ruidiaz whose initial ball was blocked. Ruidaiz would take the ball back to the corner of the box, launching the ball while falling backwards. His shot was a laser, finding the top corner of the goal. The goal of the week candidate would put the Sounders ahead, and they wouldn’t look back.
Cristian Roldan goes for a cross (Photo Paul Kahl)
Sounders backline holds struggling Charlotte
Charlotte FC came out of the gates firing, and were given nothing but positive reviews but Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer. The expansion club has had their moments, but have also seen struggles like any first-year team would. Charlotte remains without a win on the road, with an away record of 0-6-1. The Sounders backline did their job, staying disciplined (four fouls compared to 12) and mitigating the Charlotte attack. Seattle dominated the duels, and generally made sure that Charlotte had no chances (outside of the Bender goal, that came on a deflection) to work with.
Nouhou (Photo by Melissa Levin)
These Seattle Sounders that we have been seeing in their past four games, with the exception of the Colorado match, are what we have been expecting. Seattle has all the talent in the world, with the young depth to be able to rotate and not skip a single beat. The Sounders still have things to work on, just like any time, but they are finding their form. Seattle has four home matches ahead of them to continue to find that form. They will have an international break up next, but after that they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps on June 14th. Kickoff for this Cascadia rivalry matchup is 7:30PM PST.
Thank you to Melissa Levin and Paul Kahl for the photos used in this article!
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