The Sounders bench watches a penalty kick
Seattle, WA - In the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, the Seattle Sounders would welcome Real Salt Lake to Lumen field. Neither side would come into this contest with great form in their past five games. Real Salt lake had only won two of their last five, and Seattle had not won a game in their last five, three of those games being draws. This match would also be the third time that both clubs faced off this season, with both getting a win over each other during the regular season. It would be no easy task for Seattle, who was looking to find their stride once again.
Pre-game
Starting lineup for your Sounders
Goalkeeper: Stefan Frei is the man in goal for Seattle, wearing the captains armband
It was announced today, November 23rd, that Stef won MLS save of the year for his save against RSL (Coincidence?), on September 18th
Backline: The backline in front of Frei would consist of Xavier Arreaga, Brad Smith, Shane O'Neill, and Yeimar
Midfield: The midfield would feature Joao Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Benezet, and Kelyn Rowe.
Attacking front: The attackers up top would be Fredy Montero and Jordan Morris
Bench unit: Raul Ruidiaz, Nicolas Lodeiro, Alex Roldan, Reed Baker-Whiting, Leo Chu, Stefan Cleveland, Danny Leyva, Josh Atencio, and AB Cissoko make up the bench unit.
The Sounders would have two "super subs" in Ruidiaz and Lodeiro. Lodeiro was said to be 100% by HC Brian Schmetzer in the press conference the day before the game, and mentioned that he would play around 30 minutes.
First half action:
The first half of action in this game was mostly dominated by the Sounders, starting off with Seattle getting the ball into the RSL box just two minutes into the match, but without a real shot on goalkeeper David Ochoa. The best way to put the first half is that Seattle was knocking on the door of a goal repeatedly, but needed that one last touch in order to put one into the back of the net. Going into halftime, it felt as though the Sounders were due for a goal. Real Salt Lake had a few close chances, but were also just a final touch off from getting a goal in on the road. There was no real attempt on goal that made either keeper sweat.
Halftime notes and adjustments:
The attack is close for Seattle, but I believe that getting Raul Ruidiaz in the game in exchange for Fredy Montero could help. As mentioned in the preview to this game, Ruidiaz is the Sounders leading postseason scorer, and certainly could look to help Seattle take this win at home. As I typed that last sentence, Raul Ruidiaz is warming up on the field with a trainer, to the chorus of "RAUL" chants by the ECS section. To wrap up thoughts, Seattle needs to be crisper in its final stage of its attack, and the Sounders could put a few goals in on RSL before the final whistle of this match blows. Seattle has the clear attacking advantage, and RSL has not put a shot on goal yet, to Seattle's seven. Make that final pass to one of your dangerous attackers, and advance.
MLS MVP candidate Joao Paulo looks to make a pass
Second half action:
The second half of this game would be a similar story to the half that preceded it. The Sounders dominated on the stat sheet, adding 8 shots while RSL still did not put a shot on goal. Raul Ruidiaz would come on for Fredy Montero right at the start of the half, and Raul would actually get the best attempt on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball would hit the cross bar. Seattle would take several corner kicks and free kicks, once again coming ever so close to putting a ball past David Ochoa. But, similar to the first half, the Sounders would be missing that final touch. We would go into two extra time periods. According to the FS1 broadcast, this would be the first MLS playoff game that went 90 minutes without a goal scored.
Extra time:
The first period of extra time would be the same story of the regulation halves. Sounders get some chances with crosses and free kicks, including a corner kick that extended into four corners, but still not able to bust through and score. The second 15 minute period of overtime saw RSL register a corner, but make nothing of it. Seattle got corners and free kicks, but almost seemed allergic to scoring a goal. We would head to penalty kicks.
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei did not face a single shot on target during regular play
Penalty kicks:
Raul Ruidiaz would take the first penalty and convert for Seattle. Aaron Herrera would take for RSL, and convert. Joao Paulo would take the second for Seattle and convert. Pablo Ruiz would take the next PK for RSL, and that is where things got interesting. Ruiz's initial PK would be saved by Frei, but Frei stepped off of his line too early, causing a second attempt. Ruiz would convert his second attempt. AB Cissoko would take the third penalty for Seattle, converting. Damir Kreilach would take the next penalty for RSL, converting his. Alex Roldan would convert the fourth penalty kick for the Sounders. Bobby Wood would convert the next penalty for RSL. Nico Lodeiro would convert the fifth penalty for Seattle, leaving the pressure on RSL's fifth penalty shooter, Marcelo Silva. Silva would convert his PK, sending us to sudden death penalties. Kelyn Rowe would be the first penalty taker in sudden death, and would have his shot saved. Justen Glad would take the potential game winner for RSL, and convert, ending the season for Seattle.
Match reflection:
This is a situation in sports where you really cannot do much. Seattle dominated the game stat wise, and still , we sit here as their season is over. The Sounders recorded 21 shots, three of them on goal in the 120 minutes of play, and won the possession battle 62%-38%. Real Salt Lake did not register a single shot. The Sounders had 15 corner kicks, RSL had one. The 2021 season came down to sudden death penalty kicks. Ultimately, Seattle would not win any of the last seven games that they played. This Sounders team battled injuries and losing players to international breaks all season long, but ultimately could not convert one of their numerous chances when it mattered most.
Seattle area native Kelyn Rowe was emotional following the loss
Player of the match
Sounders official player of the match: None
Charles' player of the match: Cristian Roldan
Stat line: Three shots, one on goal. 76.7% pass accuracy.
Credit to Maddy Grassy for the excellent photos from tonight's match!
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