Minnesota United vs. Sounders: Highlights, stats and quotes

The Seattle Sounders beat Minnesota United for the third time this season and improved to 14-1-2 all-time against the Midwestern opponent, this time scoring a 3-2 win on Saturday. Albert Rusnák provided a goal and an assist, while Jordan Morris and Jackson Ragen each scored as the Sounders took the lead three separate times.

Highlights

Stats

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 3 – Minnesota United FC 2

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Venue: Allianz Field

Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.

Assistants: Kyle Atkins, Jeremy Kieso

Fourth Official: Fotis Bazakos

VAR: Luis Guardia

Attendance: 19,751

Weather: 84 degrees and clear 

SCORING SUMMARY 

SEA – Jordan Morris (Obed Vargas) 11’

MNU – Kelvin Yeboah (penalty) 24’

SEA – Jackson Ragen (Albert Rusnák) 28’

MNU – Kelvin Yeboah (Wil Trapp, Hassani Dotson) 56’

SEA – Albert Rusnák 75’ 

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Nouhou (caution) 10’

MNU – Miguel Tapias (caution) 72’ 

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; Obed Vargas (Reed Baker-Whiting 84’), João Paulo (Josh Atencio 57’), Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák (Raúl Ruidíaz 84’), Paul Rothrock (Pedro de la Vega 64’); Jordan Morris

Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Jonathan Bell, Danny Leyva, Léo Chú, Danny Musovski 

Total shots: 14

Shots on goal: 5

Fouls: 11

Offside: 0

Corner-Kicks: 8

Saves: 3

Minnesota United FC – Dayne St. Clair; Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall, Jefferson Diaz, Joseph Rosales; Robin Lod, Wil Trapp (Carlos Harvey 66’) Hassani Dotson; Kelvin Yeboah, Sang Bin Jeong (DJ Taylor 73’); Teemu Pukki (Bongokuhle Hlongwane 59’)

Substitutes not used: Alec Smir, Devin Padelford, Franco Fragapane, Anthony Markanich, Samuel Shashoua, Loic Mesanvi

Total shots: 23

Shots on goal: 5

Fouls: 14

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 5

Saves: 2

Quotes

Brian Schmetzer

“The guy was turning backward on the PK. He was not facing the goal. He was never going to score a bicycle kick. We gave them the second goal, we’re not pleased about that.

“I could not be prouder of that group of guys. They came back after an emotional loss, put three goals in on the road, which is very challenging … to find the third goal is very impressive. They wanted to make a statement. They’re feeling it. The subs were good. You win any game on the road in MLS, but you win with three goals that’s a pretty good performance.”

“We controlled the ball. We pressed higher up the field. We didn’t go back line of five. Reed was not the left wing back. We wanted to stay in our back line of four. They came through with a gutty performance.”

“Able to get JP out of the game, still won. Able to rest other guys. Able to get other guys minutes. I thought it was great.”

“They passed the test. They could have come in here and laid an egg. They didn’t. They scored an early goal. Great transition moment. Home or away we’re going to press higher up the field. Obed’s slip pass was excellent. 

“Very good. I told Pedro he needs to find the ball. He’s one of those players who once the ball is on his feet, they have a hard time getting it off him. Some of the stuff he did to relieve pressure, the game could have gone either way. He did exactly what we asked him to do.”

“That response, everyone can see it. They’re ready.”

“We have good players. We have very talented players. I think on any given day — you can say we haven’t beaten them in a long stretch — it’s more the mentality they have over us. I could flip the script when Minnesota plays us, they haven’t beaten us in a long time. For a long time it was the LA Galaxy. There are certain moments. There was a time when we couldn’t beat Portland. We’re going to win against LAFC at some point. We’re ready to make that first victory on Wednesday at Starfire.”

“That’s his bread and butter. What I loved about that goal was how he had the wherewithal to just chip the ball over the goalkeeper. Jordan wants to be more involved. He wants to be a real target striker. He has to work on those things. This was one of his classic performance. Fredy is an icon for the club. For him to surpass Fredy is a big milestone. Let’s see how high up the table he can get.”

Jordan Morris

“We match up well with a team like this. They like to put numbers forward and get guys into the attack, that suits us well for counter-attacking. We did well with that tonight. We absorbed some pressure and created chances. 

“For goal-scorers it ebbs and flows. It’s all about confidence. Earlier in the season, it was more nervous and the weight grows on you when you don’t score. I thrive on scoring goals, so when you’re not scoring I put a lot of pressure on myself. I think it comes down to confidence. I’m playing with more confidence. A lot of it comes down to guys playing good balls in. They are doing a great job of finding me. The confidence helps when you’re in front of goal.”

“He’s a great player, played in some great leagues. Comes here as a proven goal scorer. His second goal was incredible. He’s a big strong guy, going up against Yeimar isn’t easy. His holdup play was good. He looks like a really good signing for MLS.

“It’s a strategy of ours to give 5-6 seconds of counterpress. It’s a principal of ours. It’s easier to score goals from that part of the field. I thought we were good about getting back into position as well.

Albert Rusnák

“I don’t think it was one of my better games overall. I didn’t get on he ball as much as I’d like to. It is a road game so maybe we have less possession and it’s about what we do with it. Today we were efficient. When we won it, we broke out. We played into Jordan and pushed numbers forward. It was a great road performance form us.

“The ball to Jackson almost felt like a set piece. We’ve been really good off plays like that. We’re not always able to break down teams when they have 10 men behind the ball. The ball was good but when he scored in Houston the finish was much tougher. He timed it well, perfect placement. It’s nice to see defenders get on the scoresheet.

“It’s never easy especially on the road when you take the lead and they equalize. The fans get into it and they get momentum on their side. To take the lead three different times, we’ve been in a good run of form. If it’s not a couple of games against LAFC, we’d be one of the hottest teams in the league. It’s not easy when you lose at home the way we did. To come back and play on the road in a tough place. They are fighting for playoffs like us. It does show the group is sticking together. We don’t put our heads down when we concede.

“We were under it. We sacrificed. The amount of shots we blocked, or stopped final pass or interrupted through balls, there was a lot of that too. Even though we conceded two goals, I thought that defensive effort was really good today.”