MATCH RECAP: Sounders FC Falls 3-1 on the Road at FC Dallas in Second Match of its Round One Series

FRISCO, TEXAS – Sounders FC dropped a 3-1 result to FC Dallas on Saturday evening at Toyota Stadium in the second match of the best-of-three Round One series of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Despite a strike from Jordan Morris early in the second half that brought the scoreline to 2-1, the Rave Green were ultimately unable to even the game and the Hoops added a third goal in stoppage time to secure a 3-1 victory for the home side.

Dallas opened the scoring early, with Paul Arriola getting his head on a cross and finding the back of the net in the sixth minute. The Texas side doubled its lead in the 18^th minute with Jesús Ferreira converting a penalty kick.

Morris pulled one back for Seattle moments into the second half, winning a ball as he sprinted up the left flank, sliding a shot past Dallas’ Maarten Paes in the 48^th minute. It was Morris’ eighth goal in his MLS Cup Playoffs career, tying teammate Nicolás Lodeiro for third among active players.

Seattle just missed on equalizing late in the game on a few close chances – including a video review for a potential penalty that ended in a no call – and Dallas was able to add a final goal in second-half stoppage time courtesy Jader Obrian.

The Sounders FC-FC Dallas series is now tied at one game apiece, sending the two clubs to the deciding Match Three, being played in Seattle on Friday, November 10 (7:00 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, SiriusXM FC 157, El Rey 1360 AM). The winner of Friday’s match advances to the Western Conference Semifinals, facing the winner of the LAFC-Vancouver series.

MATCH NOTES

• With tonight’s result, Sounders FC and FC Dallas each hold one match in the Round One best-of-three series. The series-deciding third match is set to be played at Lumen Field on November 10. Seattle earned home-field advantage by finishing second in the Western Conference standings during the MLS regular season (FC Dallas finished seventh in the West).

• Following tonight’s match in Frisco, Sounders FC’s record in the MLS Cup Playoffs moves to 23-14-7 dating back to the club’s 2009 inaugural MLS season. Seattle’s 23 postseason wins are three more than the next closest team since the Rave Green joined the league (LA Galaxy, 20 MLS Cup Playoffs victories since 2009).

• Tonight’s match marked Seattle’s 10^th all-time postseason contest against FC Dallas. The Rave Green are now 5-3-2 in those contests. Prior to this year’s opening postseason series, the two sides most recently played in the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals, with Seattle winning 1-0. 

• Despite advancing past FC Dallas in four of five all-time postseason series, Sounders FC has never won at Toyota Stadium in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Seattle’s record in North Texas is 0-3-1 in those contests.

• With the starting nod tonight, Jordan Morris made his 200^th all-competitions appearance for the Rave Green, becoming just the eighth Sounder in club history to reach that milestone.

• Morris’ goal in the 48^th minute of play was his eighth strike in the MLS Cup Playoffs for Seattle. The Mercer Island native is now level with teammate Nico Lodeiro in scoring among active MLS players, with former Sounder Will Bruin and current Rave Green striker Raúl Ruidíaz both level with nine active postseason goals, leading MLS.

• Morris’ five all-time goals against FC Dallas in the MLS Cup Playoffs are tied for third-most by a player against a single opponent. Former MLS attacker Carlos Ruíz had eight postseason goals against Colorado, with Roy Lassiter leading this category following 11 playoff tallies against Columbus.

• Getting the starting nod tonight at right wing, Cristian Roldan takes sole possession of career appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs by a Rave Green field player (26 postseason appearances), surpassing former teammate Osvaldo Alonso. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei leads all Sounders with 30 appearances in the postseason.

• Stefan Frei’s 30 appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs are fourth all-time in league history. Former MLS stalwart Kevin Hartman leads this category with 49 all-time appearances.

• Head Coach Brian Schmetzer’s all-time record in the MLS Cup Playoffs moves to 16-5-3, keeping him in third place in MLS history. He trails former Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid (26-16-8) and Bruce Arena (35-14-6) in the all-time postseason ranks.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 1 – FC Dallas 3

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Venue: Toyota Stadium

Referee: Rosendo Mendoza

Assistants: Logan Brown, Brooke Mayo

Fourth Official: Jon Freemon

VAR: Kevin Stott

Attendance: 19,096

Weather: 70 degrees and clear

SCORING SUMMARY

FCD – Paul Arriola (Bernard Kamungo) 6’

FCD – Jesus Ferreira (penalty) 18’

SEA – Jordan Morris 48’

FCD – Jader Obrian 89’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Nouhou (caution) 10

SEA – Yeimar (caution) 21’

FCD – Paul Arriola (caution) 30’

SEA – Josh Atencio (caution) 52’

FCD – Paxton Pomykal (caution) 60’

FCD – Asier Illarramendi (caution) 71’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou (Kelyn Rowe 84’); João Paulo (Obed Vargas 69’), Josh Atencio (Raúl Ruidíaz 69’), Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák, Léo Chú (Nico Lodeiro 59’); Jordan Morris

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Héber, Fredy Montero, Xavier Arreaga, Paul Rothrock

Total shots: 11

Shots on goal: 5

Fouls: 8

Offside: 6

Corner-Kicks: 4

Saves: 0

FC Dallas – Maarten Paes; Nkosi Tafari, Ema Twumasi, Sebastien Ibeagha, Sam Junqua; Asier Illarramendi, Liam Fraser, Paxton Pomykal (Jader Obrian 83’); Paul Arriola (Dante Sealy 90’+2’), Jesus Ferreira (Eugene Ansah 84’), Bernard Kamungo (Marco Farfan 73’)

Substitutes not used: Jimmy Maurer, Jesus Jimenez, Sebastian Lletget, Jose Martinez, Katlego Ntsabeleng

Total shots: 8

Shots on goal: 3

Fouls: 13

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 3

Saves: 3

- SOUNDERS FC -