SEATTLE — Cristian Roldan scored a dramatic late goal in the 90th minute, leading the Seattle Sounders to a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Thursday night at the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field.
Why it matters: This win marks the Sounders' third consecutive victory and extends their unbeaten streak to eight matches, solidifying their position in the playoff race.
- Seattle is now in seventh place in the Western Conference with 38 points (10-9-8).
- Sporting Kansas City remains last in the league with a record of 6-18-3 and only 21 points.
- The Sounders have not lost since August 19, when they fell to Austin FC.
Driving the news: Sporting Kansas City initially took the lead just before halftime when Andre Luiz scored in the 44th minute, marking his fifth goal in the past four matches.
- Luiz capitalized on a defensive miscue, firing a left-footed shot into the top corner after collecting a loose ball.
- This goal was his sixth contribution (five goals, one assist) in his last four appearances since joining SKC from Olympiacos FC.
- Seattle equalized shortly after halftime with a goal from rookie Sebastian Gomez in the 52nd minute.
The big picture: The match showcased both teams' offensive capabilities, with Sporting KC registering 22 total shots and 11 on goal, compared to Seattle's 21 shots and 7 on target.
- Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made a season-high nine saves, keeping his team in contention.
- Seattle's Jordan Morris assisted Gomez's goal, demonstrating his continued influence on the field.
- Roldan's late winner was a result of a counterattack, where he chipped the ball over SKC goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland after receiving a pass from Morris.
What they're saying: After the match, Roldan expressed his excitement about the win and the team's current form.
- “It feels great to contribute to the team's success, especially in such a tight game,” Roldan said.
- Coach Brian Schmetzer praised the team's resilience, saying, “We showed great character to come back and secure the win.”
- SKC coach also acknowledged the performance of Andre Luiz, stating, “He’s been a key player for us, and his goal was a great example of his talent.”
By the numbers: The match statistics highlight the competitive nature of the game.
- Attendance was 28,587, with the weather conditions at 64 degrees and partly cloudy.
- Seattle has now scored 11 goals in their last five matches, showing a strong offensive resurgence.
- Sporting Kansas City has allowed 65 goals this season, the highest in the league.
What's next: Both teams are set for upcoming matches that will be key for their playoff aspirations.
- Seattle will head on the road to face the New England Revolution on October 10.
- Sporting Kansas City returns home to host the Portland Timbers on the same day, aiming to improve their standings.
As the season progresses, both teams will need to capitalize on their opportunities to secure a spot in the playoffs. With players like Roldan and Luiz in form, the competition in the Western Conference is heating up.