The Seattle Sounders fell 1-0 to LAFC on Sunday night at BMO Stadium following a Timothy Tillman goal in the 85th minute of the match.
The Sounders started off strong when midfielder Albert Rusnák attempted a left footed strike from the top of the box in the first minute of the match, but it went wide right of the goal.Â
In the third minute, LAFC’s Son Heung-Min found himself isolated 1-v-1 with defender Jackson Ragen inside the eighteen where he took a chance at goal, but the center back was able to block the shot.Â
Denis Bouanga had another chance for the home side in the 15th minute, splitting two defenders on the left flank before firing a shot from inside the penalty area. Center back Kim Kee-Hee reacted perfectly, blocking the attempt and allowing goalkeeper Andrew Thomas to collect the ball comfortably.
In the 30th minute, midfielder Hassani Dotson delivered a perfectly weighted through ball from midfield to spring Jordan Morris in behind LAFC’s defense, leaving him 1-v-1 with Thomas Hasal. But, Hasal sprinted off his line to deny the striker’s attempt.
A quick transition in the 39th minute put winger Paul Rothrock in position to play a driven ball across the face of the goal for a crashing Morris. The ball was too far in front of the forward, however, resulting in the ball going out on the opposite flank.
LAFC nearly broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Heung-Min — with his back to goal — spun quickly to create space before unleashing a long-range effort. His powerful shot drifted just wide of the left post, sending the match into halftime scoreless at 0-0.
Morris almost scored in the first minute of the second half when a through ball from defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi found the striker on the run. Morris struck the ball near post, but a diving effort from Hasal prevented the goal.Â
Midfielder Cristian Roldan surged through the middle of the pitch in the 62nd minute, creating just enough space to fire off a shot, but Hasal was there to make the save.
The Sounders best chance came in the 76th minute when a speedy Morris dribbled down the left flank and toward the edge of the six yard box before laying the ball back to forward Danny Musovski for a one-time finish. Just as it looked like it was going in, the ball hit the post instead.Â
Shortly after, on the other side of the pitch, LAFC had a dangerous opportunity when Heung-Min received the ball at the top of the eighteen. The forward placed the ball perfectly toward the lower left corner of the goal, but it was no match for Thomas, who’s diving effort pushed the ball away from the goal.
LAFC broke through in the final five minutes of regulation when Tyler Boyd delivered a cross toward the back post, where Tillman stretched out to finish the ball first-time and put the hosts on the scoresheet.
Brunell came inches away from equalizing in the 90th minute when his deflected effort appeared destined for the left corner of the net, but the shot narrowly drifted wide.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Welcome Back Kim Kee-Hee
Kim Kee-Hee made his first appearance of the season for the Rave Green after missing the opening months of the year while recovering from a calf injury.
Evenly matched
Despite the final score, it was a back and forth match throughout the 90 minutes. The Sounders had 51% of the possession versus LAFC’s 49% and both teams hit double digits in shot attempts.
World Cup Break
Following tonight’s match vs. LAFC, the Sounders will be going on a 7-week break with the rest of MLS as FIFA World Cup 2026 makes its way to North America. The Sounders will recommence regular season competition on July 16 when the team faces the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field.
