Coming into Wednesday’s match against Real Salt Lake, the Seattle Sounders were riding an eight-game MLS losing streak at Rio Tinto Stadium. The good news: That streak is now over after they earned a 2-2 tie. The bad news: The Sounders twice led and by the time RSL scored their equalizer, most of the starters had entered the game. If you’re wondering why a hard-earned point feels like two dropped, that’s why.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Real Salt Lake 2
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistants: Jeff Hosking, TJ Zablocki
Fourth Official: Timothy Ford
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Attendance: Closed Door
Weather: 75 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA - Nicolás Lodeiro (penalty) 29’
RSL - Justen Glad (Albert Rusnak) 50’
SEA - Yeimar Gómez Andrade (Alex Roldan, Jordy Delem) 69’
RSL - Pablo Ruiz 85’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA - Xavier Arreaga (caution) 18’
RSL - Aaron Herrera (caution) 28’
RSL - Damir Kreilach (caution) 45’ + 2’
SEA - João Paulo (caution) 80’
RSL - Corey Baird (caution) 90’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; Shane O’Neill, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga; Alex Roldan (Kelvin Leerdam 83’), Jordy Delem (João Paulo 71’), Nicolás Lodeiro, Nouhou (Joevin Jones 71’); Cristian Roldan, Handwalla Bwana (Jordan Morris 56’), Raúl Ruidíaz (Will Bruin 83’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Miguel Ibarra, Josh Atencio
Total shots: 5 (Lodeiro/Ruidíaz, 2)
Shots on goal: 2 (Lodeiro/Gómez Andrade, 1)
Fouls: 11 (Four players, 2)
Offside: 5 (Ruidíaz, 3)
Corner-kicks: 5 (Lodeiro, 5)
Saves: 3 (Frei, 3)
Real Salt Lake - Andrew Putna; Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Donny Toia; Pablo Ruiz (Kyle Beckerman 87’), Damir Kreilach, Maikel Chang (Giuseppe Rossi HT), Albert Rusnak (Everton Luiz 87’), Justin Meram (Sam Johnson 70’); Corey Baird
Substitutes not used: Zac MacMath, Nedum Onuoha, Nick Besler, Milan Iloski, Tate Schmitt
Total shots: 12 (Glad, 3)
Shots on goal: 5 (Glad, 2)
Fouls: 16 (Baird, 4)
Offside: 3 (Three players, 1)
Corner-kicks: 5 (Rusnak, 5)
Saves: 0
POST-MATCH QUOTES
SOUNDERS FC HEAD COACH BRIAN SCHMETZER – LINK TO SOUNDBYTES
On the five-man back line:
“It was great. I thought Alex [Roldan] came on and did a fantastic job. I thought Nouhou did a good job on his side. The three center backs were solid. I was very pleased with how that back line played, which translated into a better performance higher up the field, as well.”
SOUNDERS FC DEFENDER YEIMAR GÓMEZ ANDRADE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR) – LINK TO SOUNDBYTES
On scoring his first goal:
“It was a special moment. Of course I was happy, but no too happy because we really wanted a win. It still makes me very content to be able to score and help the team. The first thing that came into my mind was my family because of all the support they give me, even when they aren’t with me.”
SOUNDERS FC DEFENDER ALEX ROLDAN – LINK TO SOUNDBYTES
On the difficulty not being able to keep the lead:
“It was difficult. You put yourself in a position to get ahead at certain point in the game and you expect to keep that lead and build upon it. It’s mentally a bit difficult…to close out the game. All in all, I think our team put out the effort today and made sure that we were able to put ourselves in a position to win the game. Unfortunately it didn’t come down to that…it comes down to a very good goal on their end.”