MATCH RECAP: Sounders FC Earns Three Points at Home With 1-0 Win Over Minnesota United FC

SEATTLE, WASH. – Albert Rusnák scored the game’s lone goal as Sounders FC (6-2-1, 19 points) defeated Minnesota United FC (3-3-2, 11 points) on Saturday evening on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field. Stefan Frei recorded his fifth shutout of the season, as the Rave Green have yet to concede a goal at home this year.

Rusnák scored Seattle's goal in the 79^th minute. Following a throw-in deep in Seattle’s attacking end, Fredy Montero flicked a ball onto the Slovakian at the top of the area, where he smashed a low, one-time shot to the far post past the outstretched arms of Minnesota's Dayne St. Clair. It was the first goal of the season for Rusnák and first assist for Montero, who ranks second in club history with 52 across all competitions.

Seattle begins its 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign on Wednesday evening with a Third Round matchup with San Diego Loyal SC at Starfire Stadium (7:00 p.m. PT / Bleacher Report App & YouTube, El Rey 1360 AM). The club then travels to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 29 (6:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia, El Rey 1360 AM).

MATCH NOTES

• With tonight’s 1-0 win, Seattle moves back to the top of the Western Conference, tied with St. Louis for first place with 19 points, but trailing the Missouri side via tiebreakers.  

• The Rave Green move to 11-1-1 against Minnesota across all competitions, including an 8-0-0 mark at Lumen Field. Seattle’s 10 regular-season wins against the Loons are the most against any opponent since 2017.

• Of matches played 10 or more times (including postseason play), Seattle's 84.6 percent win rate against the Loons is now the best by a team against a single opponent in MLS history.

• With his goal in the 79^th minute of play, midfielder Albert Rusnák recorded his first strike of 2023. The goal was his fourth in Rave Green, and his 45^th regular-season tally in MLS.

• Fredy Montero was credited with an assist of Rusnák’s goal, his first of the year and 52^nd assist in all competitions for Sounders FC.

• With the start tonight at leftback in place of Nouhou (illness), Kelyn Rowe made his 350^th professional appearance in a career dating back to 2012. Rowe has represented four MLS clubs in that span, including his hometown Rave Green (2021-present), the New England Revolution (2012-2018), Real Salt Lake (2019) and Sporting KC (2019).

• Brazilian forward Héber got his third start of the season at forward tonight, replacing the injured Raúl Ruidíaz, who injured his right hamstring earlier this week in training. Héber has two goals on the season for Sounders FC, his first campaign in Seattle after joining the club from New York City FC during the offseason.

• At Lumen Field in 2023, the Rave Green are now 4-0-1 through their first five matches on home turf. Notably, Seattle has not conceded a home goal thus far in 2023.

• Sounders FC has now kept a shutout in five-straight home matches for the first time in club history (dating back to the team’s inaugural MLS season in 2009).

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Minnesota United FC 0

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Venue: Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field

Referee: Armando Villarreal

Assistants: Kevin Lock, Diego Blas

Fourth Official: Mark Allatin

VAR: Jorge Gonzalez

Attendance: 30,025

Weather: 58 degrees and light rain

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Albert Rusnák (Fredy Montero, Alex Roldan) 79’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

MIN – Jeong Sang-Bin (caution) 43’

MIN – Michael Boxall (caution) 56’

SEA – Yeimar (caution) 81’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Kelyn Rowe; João Paulo, Obed Vargas (Jordan Morris 66’), Albert Rusnák, Nico Lodeiro (Xavier Arreaga 90’+2’), Léo Chú (Dylan Teves 79’); Héber (Fredy Montero 66’)

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Ethan Dobbelaere, Sota Kitahara, Reed Baker-Whiting, Danny Leyva

Total shots: 15

Shots on goal: 3

Fouls: 3

Offside: 2

Corner-Kicks: 7

Saves: 4

Minnesota United FC – Dane St. Clair; Zarek Valentin, Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall; Robin Lod, DJ Taylor, Hassani Dotson, Kervin Arriaga; Jeong Sang-Bin (Franco Frangapane 70’), Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Mender García (Luis Amarilla 59’)

Substitutes not used: Clint Irwin, Joseph Rosales, Eric Dick, Cameron Dunbar, Britton Fischer

Total shots: 9

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 10

Offside: 2

Corner-kicks: 3

Saves: 2

- SOUNDERS FC -