MATCH RECAP: Sounders FC Plays to Scoreless Home Draw with Vancouver in Regular-Season Home Finale

SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC (13-9-11, 50 points) played to a 0-0 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC (12-10-11, 47 points) on Saturday evening on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field. Stefan Frei recorded his league-leading 13^th shutout of the season – tying the club’s single-season record – as the Rave Green extended their unbeaten run to eight games (3-0-5). Brian Schmetzer’s side now has a week off before its final regular-season match of the season, a Decision Day matchup against St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, October 21 at CITYPARK (6:00 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).

MATCH NOTES

• Following tonight’s draw at Lumen Field and LAFC’s victory over Austin, Sounders FC moves back into third place in the MLS Western Conference with one match remaining in the regular season. With 50 points, Seattle sits one point behind second-place LAFC and two points in front of fourth-place Houston. St. Louis continues to lead the West with 56 points, with the Rave Green facing the Missouri club on Decision Day on October 21.

• Earlier this week after a 2-1 over the LA Galaxy, Seattle clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs, 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, winning MLS Cup titles in 2016 and 2019.

• After tonight’s draw, Seattle becomes just the third team in MLS history to reach the 50-point mark for the 10^th different time. Sounders FC joins the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls in this category, with both of those clubs being MLS originals dating back to 1996. Seattle is the only expansion-era club to reach this milestone

• Tonight’s match at Lumen Field marked the 151^st all-time contest between Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a rivalry that dates back to 1974 in the original North American Soccer League. Seattle leads the series 73-52-26, including a 19-9-11 record across all competitions since joining MLS.

• The season series between the two clubs finishes even at 1-1-1. Prior to Saturday’s matchup, Seattle defeated Whitecaps FC 3-2 at BC Place on July 8, while Vancouver picked-up a 2-0 win north of the border on May 20.

• Seattle has not lost at home to Vancouver dating back to the 2016 season, with the Rave Green going 8-0-2 in the Emerald City in that span, while also outscoring Whitecaps FC 22-4 over the same period.

• With his league-leading 13 cleansheet of 2023, goalkeeper Stefan Frei tied his single-season record for shutouts in a campaign (2017). Frei now has 104 overall shutouts in his career, good for third in MLS history.

• Since Leagues Cup play concluded in late July, Seattle has lost just one match out of nine contests (August 20 vs. Atlanta United). In its last eight games, Sounders FC is unbeaten (3-0-5).

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 0 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Venue: Emerald Queen Casino at Lumen Field

Referee: Nima Saghafi

Assistants: Mike Rottersman, Lyes Arfa

Fourth Official: Thomas Snyder

VAR: Sorin Stoica

Attendance: 33,666

Weather: 74 degrees and clear

SCORING SUMMARY

None

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Cristian Roldan (caution) 34’

SEA – Léo Chú (caution) 56’

VAN – Mathias Laborda (caution) 63’

VAN – Alessandro Schopf (caution) 66’

SEA – Yeimar (caution) 73’

VAN – Richie Laryea (caution) 90’+1’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; João Paulo, Josh Atencio, Cristian Roldan, Nico Lodeiro (Albert Rusnák 72’), Léo Chú (Héber 72’); Jordan Morris (Reed Baker-Whiting 87’)

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Kelyn Rowe, Xavier Arreaga, Paul Rothrock, Fredy Montero Obed Vargas

Total shots: 17

Shots on goal: 5

Fouls: 12

Offside: 1

Corner-Kicks: 7

Saves: 0

Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Yohei Takaoka; Mathias Laborda (Javain Brown 70’), Ranko Veselinovic, Tristan Blackmon; Sam Adekugbe (Ryan Raposo 71’), Richie Laryea, Sebastian Berhalter, Pedro Vite (Ali Ahmed 84’); Junior Hoilett (Alessandro Schopf 60’), Brian White, Ryan Gauld

Substitutes not used: Luis Marins, Levonte Johnson, Simon Becher, Russell Teibert, Isaac Boehmer

- SOUNDERS FC -