Seattle Sounders 3 (Svensson 23’, Bruin 25’, Delem 90+4’)
Minnesota United 1 (Ramirez 66’)
The Sounders got the win at CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon, their first in the league this year. Minnesota tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but fell short in the end.
Seattle had a chance inside the opening minute, with Roman Torres heading just over from the first corner kick of the match. They continued to put pressure on the goal, with Torres heading over once again from a corner, this time from only a few yards out.
Halfway through the first stanza, and Gustav Svensson opened the scoring with an absolute rocket into the top corner, with nothing Bobby Shuttleworth could do about it.
Two minutes later, and the lead was doubled. Will Bruin got on the end of a cross to find the bottom corner, giving the Sounders a 2-0 lead.
The visitors made a change at the break, with Sam Nicholson coming on for the injured Ethan Finlay, who had taken a knock towards the end of the first half. Christian Ramirez then came on for Abu Danladi.
Bobby Shuttleworth then made two big saves to deny Seattle a third goal. He kept the visitors in the game, saving from Cristian Roldan and Will Bruin in a matter of moments.
Clint Dempsey then came on for Alex Roldan for the hosts, and almost got on the scoresheet straight away, but his effort was blocked.
Minnesota then grabbed a goal back through Christian Ramirez, as his header from Darwin Quintero’s ball across looped into the far corner.
Nicolas Lodeiro should have then got Seattle’s third in quick reply. However, he blazed his effort over the crossbar from close range.
Mason Toye came on for Miguel Ibarra for the final six minutes, in the hope of finding an equaliser for Minnesota. However, in their attempts to push forward, Seattle countered and scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Jordy Delem.
Minnesota Team:
33 Bobby Shuttleworth
2 Carter Manley
15 Michael Boxall
5 Francisco Calvo
3 Jerome Thiesson
20 Rasmus Schuller
7 Ibson
13 Ethan Finlay (12 Sam Nicholson – HT’)
25 Darwin Quintero
10 Miguel Ibarra (23 Mason Toye – 84’)
9 Abu Danladi (21 Christian Ramirez – 52’)
Unused Subs:
28 Matt Lampson
14 Brent Kallman
16 Harrison Heath
17 Collin Martin
Minnesota will host Houston next weekend, knowing they need a big performance after slumping to a fourth consecutive defeat here. The Dynamo will travel north off the back of a big 5-1 victory over Toronto.
Written by Matt Coles – (@MattJColes)
