Jordan Morris opener sets Seattle Sounders on course for 3-1 win

Seattle strike early and finish strongly

Seattle Sounders defeated Minnesota United FC 3-1 at Lumen Field, leading 2-0 at half-time. Jordan Morris opened the scoring with a normal goal in the 16th minute, assisted by Albert Rusnák, to make it 1-0. Hassani Dotson then scored a normal goal in the 35th minute for 2-0.

Minnesota responded through Anthony Markanich in the 57th minute, with Bongokuhle Hlongwane providing the assist, reducing the score to 2-1. Seattle restored its two-goal advantage in the 83rd minute when Paul Arriola scored, again assisted by Rusnák, for the final 3-1 scoreline. The visitors made their first change at half-time, while Seattle introduced Arriola and Sebastian Gomez in the 59th minute.

Seattle’s accuracy separated the teams

Minnesota had 14 total shots to Seattle’s 13 and both teams recorded 10 shots inside the box. Seattle, however, produced eight shots on goal compared with Minnesota’s two, while Minnesota goalkeeper saves numbered five against zero for Seattle. Seattle also held 56% possession and completed 510 accurate passes to Minnesota’s 376.

Four yellow cards were shown, two to each team, with Dotson booked in the 71st minute after scoring. No red cards were recorded. Rusnák was the standout performer, receiving an 8.6 rating with two assists and five key passes.

Result changes the immediate form picture

The pre-match form lists Seattle’s most recent result as a win and Minnesota’s as a draw. Going into the match, Seattle were #9 in the Western Conference with 35 points from 26 games, six points ahead of Minnesota, who were #14 with 29 points from 27 games. The table’s inclusion of this result is not established.