Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Happy Birthday, Raúl Ruidíaz: Seattle Sounders Keep Unbeaten Streak Alive

Raul Ruidiaz

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA (July 25, 2018) — It was a happy birthday indeed for Raúl Ruidíaz.

The newest member of Seattle Sounders FC scored his first goal for the club on Wednesday. The goal helped propel the Sounders to a second-straight victory, beating the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0. Seattle has not lost in the club’s last five matches.

Raul Ruidiaz Goal Helps Keep Seattle Sounders Unbeaten Streak Alive

After an agonizing start to the season — including a few trips to last place — Seattle is riding a major comeback wave. The momentum is high for a team with hardly any injuries. The addition of Ruidíaz is already proving a success.

The Peruvian international celebrated his 28th birthday, Wednesday.

He celebrated with a goal in the 62nd minute. Cristian Roldan assisted the goal. Through a translator, Ruidíaz said that he felt “incredible happiness,” scoring his first Sounders goal.

“The most important thing is the team got three points,” Ruidíaz said.

Four minutes after his goal, Ruidíaz hit the bench for some well-deserved rest. Will Bruin entered the match, replacing him up top. In total, Ruidíaz took two shots throughout the match.

“Thank God, I feel really good,” said Ruidíaz. “I’ve been working hard and I’m ready to go.”

Meanwhile, away from all of the attack, Stefan Frei had a busy evening in goal. Frei made five saves, with three denying San Jose midfielder Valeri Qazaishvili. He also saved attempts by new Quakes signing Guram Kashia and midfielder Tommy Thompson.

Danny Hoesen, San Jose’s top scorer, was shut down by defenders Kim Kee-Hee and Román Torres.

Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer started Torres over Chad Marshall, who was not part of the game-day 18-player roster. Marshall was not listed on any injury lists. Torres, on the other hand, even had a shot on goal.

Three Takeaways

  1. Is a full 90-minutes on the way? Ruidíaz said after the match that he trusts Schmetzer’s decision to limit his minutes. However, imagine what Ruidíaz can do with a full 90 minutes. His inclusion on the squad has essentially sent Clint Dempsey to the bench, but a two-striker partnership with Will Bruin could be lethal.
  2. Solid discipline: Seattle isn’t the first team that comes to mind with a staggering yellow card count. The club put that on display on Wednesday, having a clean match with no yellow cards. Only one yellow card was shown throughout the entire match, given to Luis Felipe Fernandes in the 38th minute.
  3. Seattle keeps climbing: Seattle has a chance to surprise everyone in the MLS. Many critics had written Seattle off from the season — let alone the playoffs — after the slow start. However, Seattle is climbing, earning points left and right. They might sit in 10th place with 23 points, but the margins are getting cut.

PHOTO: Raúl Ruidíaz celebrates his first MLS goal for the Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, July 26, 2018, with a Peruvian flag at Avaya Stadium. Seattle claimed a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, increasing their unbeaten streak to five games.

Credit: Seattle Sounders FC

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message