When the Seattle Sounders announced the arrival of Designated Player Raúl Ruidíaz, one of the most prominent questions that arose from the acquisition was whether the team would stick to its battle-tested 4-2-3-1, or move to a two-forward set-up, accommodating both Ruidíaz and leading-scorer Will Bruin.
The answer, as demonstrated throughout the past few matches, is a bit of both. Once again, Bruin came off the bench and altered the course of the match, securing three points for the second consecutive match.
“We need people to be uncomfortable, to be pissed off that they’re not starting, but take it the right way and use their opportunities,” said Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei. “He [Will Bruin] got a precious few minutes today, and for him to go after it like that and get that game winner, I’m so happy for him. That shows his professionalism, his hunger and his quality. He’s a vital part of the team.”
Protecting a 2-1 lead last week against NYCFC, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer opted for an attacking substitution as he brought on Bruin alongside the Peruvian forward. With the visitors looking like they might equalize, the Dancing Bear shielded one of the center backs and laid off a simple pass for Harry Shipp to smash home, effectively icing the match.
Against Minnesota, the tactical shift to a two-forward setup once again bore fruit as the two strikers linked up for the game-winning goal at the death.
“It was a great flick by Raúl, and I just decided to go, assuming he could win it because he can jump pretty high,” said Bruin. “He won it and I just finished it off.”
Seattle kept throwing numbers forward after Nicolás Lodeiro’s stoppage time equalizer. As Kelvin Leerdam prepared to launch the ball forward, Ruidíaz checked back into an onside position, isolating himself with Minnesota’s right back, and prepared for the aerial duel. Reading the flight of the ball brilliantly, he had time to guide his flicked header into the gap between United’s two central defenders as Bruin raced in behind the defense.
The beauty of a two-forward setup, especially against a traditional four-man backline, is that it leaves both strikers in 1-v-1 situations against the center backs. It also frees up space for teammates as the forwards battle defenders and push the line forward. This was especially true on Saturday as Bruin’s perfectly-timed run left Brett Kallmann alone on an island, unable to recover. All that was left for Seattle’s No. 17 was the finish, which he deftly lifted over an onrushing Bobby Shuttleworth.
Will Bruin chips in the game-winning goal in stoppage time / Rich Moll
“Will has scored a lot of goals for us late in games in injury time, and also when he’s a starter,” said Schmetzer. “He’s a great guy to have on the squad, and we love having him.”
Having a pair of strikers on the pitch also paid dividends on the equalizer. With both Ruidíaz and Bruin occupying Minnesota’s best aerial defenders, Román Torres was left with a favorable mismatch against Miguel Ibarra. The ensuing header from the hulking Panamanian center back struck the arm of Miguel Ibarra, leading to the stoppage-time penalty kick.
The Sounders are now unbeaten in seven matches, including a four-game winning streak, as they continue to ascend the Western Conference standings. With FC Dallas at home next weekend, the team hopes to capitalize on the momentum from their late, dramatic win in Minnesota.
Added Bruin: “You can tell guys are happy. We know we deserved it, we know it was just for us the way we played. I think our mentality right now is one game at a time. One game at a time. Three points here, three points there, and just keep climbing. That’s the mentality right now. We’ll enjoy this one, and then we’ll get back to work next week on preparing for Dallas.”
