Sounders at FC Dallas 2016, recap: Carlos Ruiz ruins everything

Qualification for the MLS Cup Playoffs will wait another week as FC Dallas beat Seattle Sounders FC 2-1. Schmetzer’s men gave up a one-goal lead at half losing on a set-piece goal and a brilliant goal by Guatemalan vampire Carlos Ruiz. After being out of club soccer for six months the 37-year-old signed with FCD. Today he gave them hope at the Supporters’ Shield.

With that goal and the other results on the day the Sounders can finish as low as 7th and as high as 4th.

In the first half the Sounders were the more threatening side. They could not maintain the pressure in the second half. During that final 45 Dallas countered more successfully, was much stronger on set-pieces and limited Seattle to half chances.

Lodeiro opened the scoring in the 41st minute after Tyrone Mears won a dangerous free kick from about 28 yards out. The foul earned Carlos Gruezo a yellow card. Seitz guarded the far post and Nicolas beat him on the near one.

Seattle’s best non-scoring chance of the first half was waived off because Roman Torres fouled Chris Seitz. This should have been Herculez Gomez’s first MLS goal with the Sounders.

Chad Marshall left early due to injury. Zach Scott was his replacement. That sub forced Schmetzer’s hand, as his limited bench did not have many attacking options. Aaron Kovar played his first match since breaking his collarbone when he subbed on for Alvaro Ferndanez. The final sub was Oniel Fisher for Herculez Gomez.

The Sounders tried to close out the match with a 3-5-2, but were unsuccessful. Their best opportunity to tie was when Stefan Frei nearly scored on a header.

Seattle’s final game of the regular season is Sunday the 23rd against Real Salt Lake.