The Seattle Sounders fell 1-0 to Philadelphia Union on Saturday night at Subaru Park following a Milan Iloski goal in the 31st minute of the match.
In the opening six minutes of the match, Philadelphia found the first shot of the night when Kai Wagner looked to knock one in from distance, but it was blocked by Nouhou.
Three minutes later, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi played a cross into the box from the left flank, managing to find Paul Rothrock’s head. The redirected attempt, however, went over the net and out for a goal kick.
In the 13th minute, The U’s Nathaniel Harriel earned a free kick after Rothrock fouled the center back just outside the box. Wagner to take, the defender guided the set piece toward the hands of Andrew Thomas, who proceeded to punch the ball out for a corner.
The Sounders had a chance in the 18th minute when Hassani Dotson played a beautiful through ball to Osaze De Rosario, who found himself 1-v-1 with Harriel as he drove toward goal. Just as he tried to grab the first goal of the night for the Rave Green, his shot was blocked by a sliding effort from the center back.
Bruno Damiani nearly headed one in for Philadelphia in the 22nd minute when Cavan Sullivan played a cross toward the forward inside the box, but his redirected attempt went wide right of the goal.
Philadelphia got on the scoresheet in the 31st minute when Frankie Westfield located Iloski, who was able to get in behind. Just outside the eighteen, The striker lofted the ball over Thomas’ head as the keeper came off his line, giving the East Coast side the opening lead.Â
It looked as if The U were going to grab another just before the half when Iloski found space down the right flank to play a driven ball into the box to Damiani on the run, but a sliding effort from Stuart Hawkins pushed the ball away from pressure.
Six minutes into the second 45, Wagner distributed a corner kick into the box where Sullivan got a head on it, but the ball skied over the net.
Just as Philadelphia thought they extended the lead to two in the 64th minute when Sullivan played a through pass to Iloski — who slid the ball past Thomas — the referee called the goal back due to the striker’s offsides positioning.
In the 69th minute, Rothrock was inches away from leveling the score when Jesús Ferreira found the winger on the far post for a header attempt, but the ball went wide left of the goal.
Then in the 75th, Snyder Brunell lifted the ball toward the six where De Rosario challenged goalkeeper Andre Blake. In Blake’s attempt to clear the ball, it landed near Peter Kingston who’s volleyed effort at goal went over the crossbar.
The Sounders had chances to equalize in the remaining minutes of the match, including Albert Rusnák's chipped shot in the 84th, but it wasn’t enough to break through, closing out the 90 minutes with a 1-0 loss over Philadelphia.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Gallatin Sandnes debutÂ
Gallatin Sandnes made his MLS debut when he came on as a second half substitute for Antino Lopez in the 59th minute. It has been less than a month since the Homegrown player signed with the Sounders second team, Tacoma Defiance.
Stuart Hawkins consecutive start
Saturday night’s fixture marks Hawkins' consecutive start as center back for the Rave Green. The Homegrown player played the full 90 minutes in both road matches against The U and Austin FC.
Away match stretch continues
Following this week's two road fixtures, the Sounders continue their travels to Providence Park where they face the Portland Timbers on August 1. The team will look to get back on track against their bitter rivals after five straight losses.
