Sounders return to playoff places with win over Loons

Seattle Sounders FC 3-1 Minnesota United

SEATTLE, WA–The Sounders moved back into the playoff places with a 3-1 win over Minnesota United. It’s now back-to-back wins for the Sounders following five straight draws and eight straight losses in league play before that. With results elsewhere, the Sounders are three points clear for the ninth and final playoff spot in the West. Minnesota fall further from the playoff places with their fifth straight loss and have won just once in their last 16 league matches (1-9-6).

Jordan Morris became the Sounders’ all-time leading scorer for regular season goals (73) passing Raul Ruidiaz in the 16th minute after getting on the end of an Albert Rusnak looping ball. It was Morris’s first goal since April. Hassani Dotsom would score on his old team in the 35th minute to double Seattle’s advantage after pouncing on a rebound after Morris’s header was saved by Drake Callender.

The Loons would pull one back in the 57th minute as Anthony Markanich struck on the volley past Andrew Thomas. That would be as close as they got, though, as Paul Arriola put the match away in the 83rd minute after receiving another dime of a pass from Rusnak.

The Sounders next play on Thursday at home against Sporting Kansas City (6:30pm PT), while Minnesota’s next game will be in two weeks against Houston (7:30pm CT, Apple TV).

Photos by Paul Kahl