SEATTLE, WASH. – Despite a second-half goal from midfielder Albert Rusnák, Real Salt Lake (10-8-7, 37 points) got two strikes on either side of halftime to defeat Sounders FC (10-13-2, 32 points) by a final score of 2-1. With tonight’s loss, Seattle has suffered back-to-back defeats following a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on August 2. In the race for the MLS Cup Playoffs, Sounders FC remains below the line, two points removed from the seventh and final postseason position behind eighth-place Portland, who is one point ahead of the Rave Green.
The visitors went up 1-0 in the 32nd minute on the counterattack, with Sergio Cordova getting behind the defense on a long ball from Jefferson Savarino. The Venezuelan’s initial shot was saved by Stefan Frei, but Cordova was able to slot his second effort past Frei and a pair of Seattle defenders for his sixth goal of the season.
Rusnák equalized in the 62nd minute, finding himself with ball at the top of the 18-yard-box after a bout of possession, then slotting a low shot through the RSL defense and inside the near post. It marked Rusnák’s third goal of the season across all competitions after signing with Seattle from RSL, where he played from 2017-2021.
RSL got the lead back moments later with the eventual game-winner. Savarino provided the service again, sending a cross from the right flank that found Andrew Brody at the far post for a volley past Frei.
Seattle faces a quick return to play in just five days’ time, with a matchup in Southern California that has major implications for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. Sounders FC faces longtime foe LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday, August 19 (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN, ESPN Deportes, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM). After defeating Vancouver on Saturday, LA is currently occupying sixth position in the Western Conference, above the playoff line one point ahead of Sounders FC.
MATCH NOTES
- With tonight's loss, Sounders FC remains below the line in the race for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. Including Seattle, six teams are separated by three points or less between sixth and 11th place in the Western Conference. The Rave Green’s next two matches are against teams just above them in the standings, with Seattle playing at the LA Galaxy on August 19 and August 26 at Portland.
- In MLS regular-season play, Seattle moves to 12-15-5 in the all-time series versus Real Salt Lake. The two clubs are also familiar foes in the MLS Cup Playoffs, with Seattle edging that series 3-1-2.
- Ordinarily, the regular-season series has centered on home-field advantage, with Seattle holding a 11-4-2 record with 26 goals scored at Lumen Field against RSL, and just a 1-11-3 mark at Rio Tinto Stadium, scoring nine goals.
- With tonight’s loss, Seattle drops both regular-season matches versus RSL for the first time since 2018. Seattle previously lost earlier this season on March 5, a 1-0 victory for the Utah club.
- Seattle midfielder Albert Rusnák recorded his third goal in Rave Green in the 62ndminute (all competitions). The strike was Rusnák’s first against his former club, who he led from 2017-2021, tallying 41 goals and 39 assists in 140 regular-season appearances for RSL. Rusnák has been an integral player for Seattle this season, starting 20 of his 22 MLS appearances in central midfield.
- Seattle captain Nico Lodeiro recorded his team-leading seventh assist of the season on Rusnák’s goal, and his 80th in all competitions for the Rave Green, the most in club history.
- Lodeiro’s assist was also his fourth all-time against RSL in regular-season play, tied for the most of any current Sounders (Fredy Montero).
- Danny Leyva made his fourth start of the season alongside Rusnák in central midfield. He recorded a secondary assist on Rusnák’s goal, his second of 2022.
- Returning to the starting lineup after a recent injury layoff due to a hamstring injury, forward Raúl Ruidíaz was in the starting group for the first time since July 9 versus Portland. The Peruvian had previously made substitute appearances the last two matches versus Atlanta and FC Dallas, as he made his progressive return to full fitness.
- Sounders FC fullback Alex Roldan made his 99th career MLS regular-season appearance tonight. The Seattle University product made his Rave Green debut during his rookie season of 2018.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Real Salt Lake 2
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Tim Ford
Assistants: Chris Wattam, Brian Poeschel
Fourth Official: Michael Radchuk
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Attendance: 33,093
Weather: 75 degrees and sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
RSL – Sergio Córdova32’
SEA – Albert Rusnák (Nico Lodeiro, Danny Leyva) 62’
RSL – Andrew Brody (Jefferson Savarino)64’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Yeimar Gómez Andrade (caution) 59’
RSL – Maikel Chang (caution) 66’
SEA – Cristian Roldan (caution) 70’
RSL – Pablo Ruiz (caution) 90’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan (Léo Chú 87’), Yeimar Gómez Andrade (Jimmy Medranda 77’), Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou; Danny Leyva (Will Bruin 65’), Albert Rusnák; Cristian Roldan (Kelyn Rowe 77’), Nico Lodeiro, Jordan Morris; Raúl Ruidíaz (Fredy Montero 65’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Jackson Ragen, Josh Atencio, Dylan Teves
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 7
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 2
Real Salt Lake – Zac MacMath; Andrew Brody, Marcelo Silva, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera; Pablo Ruiz, Jasper Löffelsend (Scott Caldwell 46’); Maikel Chang (Bode Hidalgo 86’), Sergio Córdova (Rubio Rubín 70’), Jefferson Savarino (Julio Benitez 86’); Justin Meram (Erik Holt 59’)
Substitutes not used: Nick Besler, Tomás Gómez, Johan Kappelhof, Diego Luna
Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 10
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 0
Saves: 1
