The Seattle Sounders suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road against D.C. United at Audi Field on Saturday night. Léo Chú opened the scoring for the Rave Green, but the hosts responded with a pair of goals from Christian Benteke before the halftime interval.
It was an ideal start to the match for the Sounders as the team took an early lead in the 14th minute after a sustained attacking sequence. Albert Rusnák and Josh Atencio both had goal-bound shots blocked out by defenders before Jordan Morris’ cross found the head of Chú, who nodded his effort past DC United goalkeeper Alex Bono.
The tide turned in the 28th minute when Jared Stroud got behind Seattle’s back line and drawing a foul from goalkeeper Stefan Frei inside the box. That sequence resulted in a red card for Frei and a penalty for the hosts, which Christian Benteke scored past Andrew Thomas in the 32nd minute.
The home side then took the lead in the 45th minute when Benteke scored a powerful header at the back post off a lofted cross from Aaron Herrera.
Seattle nearly pulled level in the 68th minute when Atencio’s header from a João Paulo free kick looked destined for goal but crashed back off the post.
In the 83rd minute, Atencio injected attacking energy once again as he raced onto an Albert Rusnák through ball and forced a diving save from Bono. Five minutes later, Jonathan Bell’s curled cross found the run of Rusnák, but his ensuing shot was denied by an impressive reflex save by Bono.
The best chance of the second half came in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Obed Vargas ghosted into the penalty area and picked out Cristian Roldan at the top of the six-yard box, but the Sounders midfielder was unable to steer his effort on target.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Difficult first half
Already missing the services of Jackson Ragen and Alex Roldan, both of whom received red cards in last week’s loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Sounders had to make a pair of unplanned changes in the opening 45 minutes. Danny Musovski started brightly but was substituted in the 21st minute after picking up a knock. The team then had to take off Chú to bring on Andrew Thomas following Frei’s dismissal.
Gritty second half
Despite playing down a goal and a man for the entirety of the second half, the Sounders controlled most of the play and were unlucky not to score an equalizer. The team continued to push forward and carved several clear-cut chances to draw level but were denied by a combination of good goalkeeping and the woodwork.
Quick turnaround
The Sounders will face the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Tuesday (4:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). The match was originally suspended in the 6th minute of play back on March 9th and will recommence at the same point this week. You can find more information on the match HERE.
