SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (Aug. 20, 2018) – “Our turf is great.”
That’s what Brian Schmetzer said after the Seattle Sounders FC picked up a historic sixth-straight victory on Saturday over the LA Galaxy. Why did Schmetzer feel the need to hype up CenturyLink Field?
Seattle Sounders mark historic sixth-straight win over LA Galaxy
Because players like Zlatan Ibrahimović and Romain Alessandrini elected to not travel with the team due to playing on turf. However, the Galaxy’s loss was Seattle’s gain. With a lack of fire-power up front, the Galaxy couldn’t get any offense rolling against the red-hot Seattle Sounders.
Instead, it was the Sounders that scored five goals.
Well, technically four.
Chad Marshall took only three minutes to score the opening goal. Marshall, a center back, scored his second goal in two games and his third goal of the season. Then, 15 minutes later, Harry Shipp found the back of David Bingham’s net.
Cristian Roldan scored Seattle’s fourth goal in the 59th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, Raúl Ruidíaz scored his first goal in front of home fans in the 67th minute.
So, who scored the third goal?
The Galaxy’s woes were piled on higher when Servando Carrasco — husband of U.S. Women’s National Team and Orlando Pride superstar Alex Morgan — netted an own-goal past David Bingham.
“The team in that locker room obviously put the work in,” Schmetzer said. “It’s been a fairly consistent group. The whole group of players – and I’m not just talking about the 18 on any given Sunday, I’m talking about the whole group of 30 guys – they all put it in.”
“For us, it’s just a testament to the hard work that everybody in this organization does on a daily basis.”
Count 'em up. 🖐#SEAvLA pic.twitter.com/O8v5Ij0Z44
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) August 20, 2018
Three Takeaways
- Stefan Frei was busy, but solid: Stefan Frei has been a beast in goal this season for the Seattle Sounders. During the early struggles in the beginning of the year, Frei always proved to be a hard-nosed battler. He kept Seattle in games and on Saturday he earned a well-deserved clean sheet. The veteran goalkeeper made five saves, denying Ariel Lassiter, three times, Servando Carrasco and Ola Kamara.
- Locked and Lodeiro: While he didn’t score a goal — which is a rarity — Nicolás Lodeiro managed to give the LA Galaxy plenty of headaches. He earned two assists, on the goals from Marshall and Roldan, while slicing and dicing his way through the Galaxy’s midfield. Seattle’s “big man” on the field is one of the club’s smallest players. Lodeiro has been on fire, which could be a chunk of why Seattle is winning games.
- Another boost up the chart: One more spot to go and Seattle is in playoff position. After fighting to stay out of last place about two months ago, Seattle now sits in seventh place with 35 points. The jump is a testament to the players, Schmetzer’s coaching, and the summer acquisitions. Sitting in the last playoff spot is Portland, who Seattle will face this upcoming weekend.
What’s Next?
One of the top rivalries in MLS will take place this weekend.
The Portland Timbers will host the Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park on Sunday, Aug. 26, at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Portland currently sits in sixth place with 37 points.
WWWWWW
Record. Breakers. pic.twitter.com/t9ib5uvv0T
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) August 18, 2018
PHOTO: Brian Schmetzer, head coach of the Seattle Sounders FC, waves to the crowd of 44,213 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash., on Aug. 18. Photo courtesy of Jane Gershovich/Sounders FC.
