Seattle Sounders stun FC Dallas with dramatic 3-2 comeback victory

By Charles Hamaker 

Seattle, WA – With just 24 minutes left in regular time, it seemed as though the Seattle Sounders FC were headed for another devasting, frustrating result at home as they trailed by two goals to the visiting FC Dallas, a side that sits just a few points behind them in the MLS Western Conference standings. The Rave Green had done well to dominate possession and get some half chances in the first half, but that meant nothing as Dallas had found some late magic to push themselves to a two-goal advantage and what seemed to be three points on the road. While their opponents had found those two goals in a four-minute span, the Sounders found their bundle of scores within a 16-minute stretch, and it mattered more because their last came in the dying moments of stoppage time to deliver a dagger to Dallas. Seattle, just as quickly as they had gone down to seemingly end things, had swung back swiftly to stun their opponent and keep hope alive that they’ll be able to pick themselves up enough to find another postseason berth this year. While there’s still plenty of soccer to be played before we get to that, the building block wins that the Sounders have been putting together over the past few months are necessary to even reach that point in the first place. 

The Seattle Sounders FC celebrated their “Pride Night” at Lumen Field on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024. (Photo by Nate Koppelman)

Good early signs, yet again nothing to show for it 

The first half of this match between two Western Conference foes that saw each other in the first round of last year’s MLS Audi Cup playoffs went largely how numerous first 45’s have gone for the Sounders this year: with Seattle creating chances, largely mediocre ones, and failing to do much outside of that. The Rave Green have done a solid job at being able to hold onto possession and have the opportunity to dictate play and the pace of the match, but it’s looked more like a hurried mess than a controlled, complete system that we’ve largely come to expect from the Sounders in their impressive MLS tenure. Outside of a weak volley attempt from the top of the 18-yard box off a corner, Dallas didn’t do anything threatening towards goalkeeper Stefan Frei and the Seattle goal, while the Sounders had a handful of dangerous possession opportunities within the box and more than a few corners. It’s a positive sign to see them in control to begin the match, but it feels more like a waste when they haven’t been able to throw the first punch, which is often what happens. The first half ended scoreless, giving no hints towards the sort of bizarre and remarkable finish that this match later saw.  

FC Dallas’ Patrickson Delgado scored the first goal of the match, coming off excellent service on a cross. (Photo by Nate koppelman)

From the lowest lows to the highest highs 

Even with Raúl Ruidíaz coming onto the pitch as a substitute in the 60th minute, the Sounders were still failing to do much damage against Dallas and really create any sort of danger against goalkeeper Maarten Paes, as Seattle’s two shots on target before the 65th minute were straight at the keeper and there was no rebound to take advantage of. With that lack of offensive execution, the match remained up for grabs and Dallas didn’t waste that opportunity, especially not when they had the ball near the Sounders box thanks to a turnover by Seattle defender Jackson Ragen. Following the interception, Dallas’ Logan Farrington sent a cross into the middle of the box that perfectly found Patrickson Delgado who had slipped behind Yeimar to redirect the pass past Stefan Frei in goal and break the deadlock. Another failed attempt to play from the back resulted in an interception and goal against for the Rave Green, something we’ve seen far too often during this 2024 campaign. Just three minutes later, Dallas was back in possession and on the attack nearing the Sounders box, as Delgado made his second goal impact of the night with a nice assist from the top of the box to a cutting Petar Musa, whose shot had just enough power behind it to glance off the left leg of Stefan Frei and into the goal to double the away sides lead. Just like that, within four minutes, FC Dallas had taken advantage of a mistake and doubled it to put themselves in excellent position to pick up their first road victory of the season. In a moment that could’ve crushed them, maybe should have crushed them, Seattle did not allow themselves to be kept down and the battle to get back was already on. 

Seattle Sounders FC forwards Paul Rothrock and Raul Ruidiaz celebrate Ruidiaz’s goal, the first of the night for the Rave Green. (Photo by Paul Kahl)

A rocket of a volley from Albert Rusnák had the Sounders awake once again following the second goal against and created a corner kick that went to waste, but Seattle’s #11 wasn’t going to stop at just having his shot attempts denied. A minute later, Rusnák whipped a ball into a crowded center of the Dallas box where an unlikely name leapt into the air and headed home the first Sounders goal of the night. Raúl Ruidíaz had gone up in front of a clump of both Seattle and Dallas players and ensured that the ball was going to get past Paes on an excellent header that cut the Dallas lead in half. With the Sounders alive and looking for an equalizer, once again Albert Rusnák stepped up when the moment of action presented itself as his laser of a corner kick found its way towards the penalty spot, just as his service on the Ruidíaz goal had, but this time a different forward had an excellent header find the back of the net: Jordan Morris, who was going to be on the end of the play that became the first goal before Raúl leapt in the way to make his mark, got on the scoresheet to equalize. From there, the Rave Green very well could’ve been happy with the fact that they’d equalized in dramatic fashion just as they did on the road against Houston just a few days ago, but that wasn’t the mindset that they had. Chaos took place over the first few minutes of six given minutes of stoppage time, as calls for handballs on both sides of the pitch against each time had the other arguing towards head referee Malik Badawi, but no real foul had been committed so play continued. With momentum on their side and a will to find a third goal, Obed Vargas sent an incredible ball through Dallas players to a streaking Jordan Morris who was through on goal, albeit with a defender nearly on his hip. While that defender could’ve been an issue, Morris had something on his side: goalkeeper Maarten Paes was far off his line and caught in an awkward position near the top of his box. Neither retreating nor approaching Morris would’ve done him any good, and the Mercer Island man made him pay for his mistake by slotting a ball into his right-hand side, giving Seattle the lead with only moments left in stoppage. From death to life, the Sounders had challenged the odds and won.  

Seattle Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris’ match-winning goal in stoppage time beats FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes. (Photo by Paul Kahl)

What’s next? 

Following tonight’s dramatic victory over FC Dallas at home as they hosted their Pride Match, the Seattle Sounders FC will have a full week ahead of their next match, the second of three consecutive contests at home for the Rave Green. Coming off this win, that actually keeps Dallas below them in the Western Conference standings, the Sounders next match comes on Saturday, June 29th with a kickoff time of 7:30PM PDT against the Chicago Fire FC, which will be broadcast on Apple TV – MLS Season Pass. The Sounders will being a strong form into this match, having tallied at least a point in four of their last five matches and have failed to tally at least a point in only three of their past nine matches in MLS play, but they won’t be alone in that strong recent form as the Fire have also tallied at least a point in four of their past five matches. Chicago has won their past two matches played against Seattle, but they will be without a star as Xherdan Shaqiri is with Switzerland in the Euro’s. Given their strong recent play and especially the nature in which tonight’s victory came, don’t be surprised to see the Sounders start to find some strong form and that’s been done without the performance of young DP Pedro de La Vega.  

Check out photographer Nate Koppelman’s album from this match here.

Check out photographer Paul Kahl’s album from this match here.