Major League Soccer on Monday named Sounders FC forward Raúl Ruidíaz to the Week 4 MLS Team of the Week bench following Seattle’s 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Sunday night.
Ruidíaz popped up in dangerous spots all afternoon, combining with teammates and making clever runs in the final third. His persistence paid off in the second half as he earned a penalty kick, which he subsequently dispatched in the 71st minute to put the Rave Green ahead 1-0.
Ruidíaz has posted an eye-popping five goals in four games to start the season, good for second in the league, and earning him TOTW honors three times in the first four weeks of the 2021 MLS campaign. With the Peruvian striker firing on all cylinders, Seattle sits atop the Supporters’ Shield standings despite a daunting schedule to start the season.
Sounders FC and Ruidíaz return to action on Wednesday as they head to Northern California to take on the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) at PayPal Park.