SEATTLE, WASH. – A late goal from Cristian Roldan propelled Sounders (13-9-10, 49 points) to a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy (8-12-11, 35 points) on Wednesday evening on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field. Jordan Morris scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season for Seattle, who secured a spot in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with the win. This marks the 14thall-time appearance in the postseason for Sounders FC, who missed the playoffs for the first time in club history last season. The Rave Green remain home this weekend to host Cascadia rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, October 7 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, SiriusXM FC, El Rey 1360 AM).
Morris opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finding the end of a João Paulo cross and heading it past Jonathan Bond for his 11th goal of the season. It marked Morris’ 64th goal across all competitions for Seattle, good for third in club history. The Galaxy leveled the score after halftime, with Douglas Costa getting behind the Seattle defense and finishing past Stefan Frei in the 54th minute. Seattle found the game-winner in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, with Alex Roldan’s long throw-in finding the head of Josh Atencio for a glancing header to the feet of Cristian Roldan, who blasted the close-range effort to secure three points.
Following tonight’s result, Sounders FC sits in second place in the Western Conference, seven points behind first-place St. Louis CITY SC and one point above third-place LAFC. Six of the nine Western Conference postseason spots have been secured, with Seattle now guaranteed to finish top-seven and avoid the Wild Card round.
MATCH NOTES
- Tonight’s win clinches a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs for Sounders FC, returning the club to the postseason after missing last year’s tournament for the first time in club history. Previously the Rave Green qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs from the team’s inaugural MLS season in 2009 through the 2021 campaign. Sounders FC has won two MLS Cups (2016, 2019), while reaching two other Finals as Western Conference champion (2017, 2020).
- Following tonight’s result, Sounders FC moves back into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference with two matches remaining in the MLS regular season. With 49 points, Seattle sits one point ahead of third-place LAFC and seven points behind first-place St. Louis in the West. The top four teams in the West are assured home-field advantage to begin the postseason.
- Since Leagues Cup play concluded in late July, Seattle has lost just one match out of eight contests (August 20 vs. Atlanta United). In its last seven, Sounders FC is unbeaten (3-0-4).
- Sounders FC is currently riding an 11-match unbeaten run in MLS play against the Galaxy (7-0-4) dating back to the 2019 season, the longest such streak in MLS history of any opponent against the Galaxy.
- In the all-time regular-season series, Seattle is now 14-10-13 against LA.
- Including tonight’s victory, Seattle claims the season series against the Galaxy, winning 2-1 on both occasions (April 1 at Dignity Health Sports Park). Outside of MLS action, the Galaxy defeated Sounders FC in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 matchup on May 10.
- Scoring in the ninth minute of play, Seattle winger Jordan Morris bagged his team-leading 11th goal of the season, good for his 53rd regular-season strike dating back to 2016.
- Morris’ goal was his first tally since August 30 at Austin, giving the Mercer Island native 64 goals in all competitions for the Rave Green, good for third in club history behind teammates Raúl RuidÃaz (78 goals) and Fredy Montero (79 goals).
- João Paulo earned his fifth assist of the season on Morris’ goal.
- Cristian Roldan’s match-winning goal in second-half stoppage time was his third strike of the season and his first since June 10 at Charlotte FC.
- Wednesday’s match marked 150th starts for Nouhou across all competitions. Earlier this season, the Cameroonian became the most-tenured Sounders FC defender in the club’s MLS history, surpassing former centerback Chad Marshall in total appearances.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – LA Galaxy 1
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Venue: Emerald Queen Casino at Lumen Field
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistants: Kathryn Nesbitt, Eric Weisbrod
Fourth Official: Sergeii Boiko
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.
Attendance: 30,495
Weather: 62 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Jordan Morris (João Paulo) 9’
LAG – Douglas Costa (Julian Aude) 54’
SEA – Cristian Roldan (Josh Atencio, Alex Roldan) 90’+6’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LAG – Kelvin Leerdam (caution) 38’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; João Paulo (Josh Atencio 80’), Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák (Nico Lodeiro 66’), Léo Chú (Reed Baker-Whiting 66’); Jordan Morris (Héber 80’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Kelyn Rowe, Xavier Arreaga, Paul Rothrock, Fredy Montero
Total shots: 18
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 13
Offside: 0
Corner-Kicks: 10
Saves: 0
LA Galaxy – Jonathan Bond; Julian Aude (Raheem Edwards 71’), Maya Yoshida, Kelvin Leerdam, Tony Alfaro; Tyler Boyd (Michael Barrios 88’), Uri Rosell, Edwin Cerrillo, Diego Fagundez (Dejan Joveljic 66’); Douglas Costa, Billy Sharp
Substitutes not used: Mauricio Cuevas, Gino Vivi, Novak Micovic, Daniel Aguirre, Adam Saldana, Jonathan Perez
Total shots: 5
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 10
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 1
Saves: 2
