Seattle finally got back home to Lumen Field, rolled out a rotated lineup, spent the first 15 minutes looking like the oven hadn’t fully preheated, and then served St. Louis City SC a four-course beating. Cristian Roldan scored twice off Albert Rusnák corners that were near carbon copies of each other, Rusnák added a penalty finish, Osaze De Rosario came off the bench to score his first MLS goal of the season, and the Sounders ran their home unbeaten streak in all competitions to 19 games in a spicy 4-1 win. It took the Sounders a quarter of an hour to get comfortable, but they weathered St. Louis pressure and took full advantage of their opportunities. The only blemish was a stoppage time consolation goal for the away team, and even that was hard to get upset about, due to the situation around Eduard Löwen’s family.
Served hot: Once the Sounders settled down, they looked like a team happy to be home. They finished with 13 shots, nine on target, no cards, and four goals from a rotated group; St. Louis looked like they’d shown up to the family dinner and had to sit at the kid’s table.
Leftovers: The first 15 minutes were sloppy, the clean sheet disappeared in stoppage time, and there were a few players who looked less “freshly prepared” and more “still defrosting.” In a 4-1 win, those are manageable problems, and there was just enough to keep the team hungry.
Clean plates: A rotated lineup handled business, and key players stayed productive. Seattle looked more like itself again after returning home. Moving quickly past the Tigres frustration, the Sounders reminded MLS teams that they will more often than not get devoured at Lumen Field.
Goalkeeper
Andrew Thomas – 6 | Community – 7.1
This was one of those goalkeeper nights where the numbers look easy until you remember the first 15 minutes. Thomas only had to make two saves, but Seattle were a little loose early on, and he helped keep the game from turning annoying before the goals arrived. The late concession was not on him so much as on the team collectively deciding that minute 92 was an okay time to leave the kitchen unattended.
Served hot: Andrew has a legitimate claim to being the top goalkeeper in the league. He had a 2nd minute save as well as calm control of his area, like a solid 28th minute catch in traffic to deny any STL hope.
Leftovers: A weird clearance that went long to Roman Bürki in the 30th was wasteful, and he almost had a heartburn-inducing own goal in the 76th off a rough touch.
Clean plates: It was a shame that Andrew didn’t get his league-leading sixth clean sheet in seven games, missing by just a few minutes.
Defense
Nouhou – 7 | Community – 6.9
This was another good Nouhou performance, which is to say he was aggressive and only mildly chaotic. He helped the Sounders regain control after the slow start and gave them his usual blend of bite and recovery defense. He didn’t make the game about him personally, which is continued growth in 2026. His 90 percent passing was clean, and he took the right opportunities to dribble into attacking support.
Served hot: Nouhou was strong, active, and one of the guys who helped flip the momentum. That meant defending well, earning the corner kick that resulted in the second goal, a fun choo choo moment in the 47th, and even a 58th minute shot on target that forced a strong save.
Leftovers: This match started out rough for Seattle, and Nouhou especially struggled in the first five minutes, missing passes, trying too hard and giving up possession. As usual, he could have used a little more final-third sharpness.
Clean plates: More of this version, please — the one where Nouhou’s chaos stays useful.
Antino Lopez – 7 | Community – 7.0
Lopez keeps turning in normal, competent, grown-up shifts, which is one of the biggest surprises of 2026. He helped settle things after the early wobble and was part of a central defensive group that mostly kept St. Louis to scraps until the game was already over. Ninety-six percent passing, nine defensive contributions, and winning all his aerial duels? Just another Jackson Ragen-like performance by Antino.
Served hot: Steady, mature, and not even remotely overwhelmed, Lopez had another lovely outing. His great defense in the 34th minute was made to look easy.
Leftovers: There was a single poor pass, in the 12th minute. No center back gets to fully escape a 4-1 when the “1” arrives after dessert.
Clean plates: Lopez keeps doing the understated work that makes coaches trust you. The late goal stung aesthetically more than strategically, and he has barely put a foot wrong this season.
Alex Roldan – 6 | Community – 6.9 (off 60’ for Kingston)
Alex had a calm, composed night and did the work that makes a rotated lineup feel much less rotated. He helped keep St. Louis from building much through the middle, and once the game settled, he combined with the parts around him to control the match. He subbed out before the late consolation goal spoiled the defensive mood. He won every single duel attempted and completed 86 percent of his passes.
Served hot: When Seattle needed a moment, Alex was there, such as coming all the way over to support Nouhou in the left corner in the 49th minute, winning the ball and clearing it.
Leftovers: The first 15 minutes were not exactly Michelin-star stuff from the whole team. As Seattle took on the pressure, there were issues in communication that took a while to iron out.
Clean plates: Another reminder that Seattle benefits from Alex’s versatility when the match is not asking for miracles; when he can flow into the match, he fits nearly anywhere.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi – 7 | Community – 6.8
KKR was lively, direct, and looked very comfortable as part of a back line and right side that helped Seattle turn the game and create momentum. He didn’t get a goal contribution, but he was part of the pressure that kept St. Louis backing up and hoping the service would stop. He was 2/3 in dribbles and a continual force adding width and balance to the Sounders structure.
Served hot: Kalani turned in a second positive and active match in a row, and a 21st minute run illustrated his talent for understanding the time and areas to attack.
Leftovers: A little more final-third payoff would have made this extra tasty, and at times Kalani’s aggressive nature can backfire, including an awful 58th minute pass that needed an alert Nouhou to the rescue.
Clean plates: KKR continues to look more like a real option than a fun temporary experiment. The more he can produce matches that are balanced like this one, the better.
Defensive Midfield
Cristian Roldan – 8 (MOTM) | Community – 8.8 (MOTM)
This was a masterclass from the captain: two goals, both off Rusnák corners, and a general performance that screamed “I am glad to be done with road hotels.” This was Cristian’s first brace since 2020, and he decided the homecoming needed to be properly loud by burying both of his chances to put Seattle firmly in control. He also did the usual Cristian things in between the goals, which is unfair to opponents and frankly a little show-offy.
Served hot: Two goals and a full evening of midfield dominance were fantastic. Against the momentum, with a small pick in front of him, Roldan found himself unmarked and headed home the opener in the 22nd minute. In the 37th he found the same exact situation, this time finishing clean with a volley.
Leftovers: Perhaps feeling bad for the opponents, Cristian randomly dribbled out of bounds in the 87th minute, offering a free corner kick for St. Louis.
Clean plates: Roldan was the emotional and tactical tone-setter of the whole thing. He scored twice, ran the midfield, and generally acted like the whole evening had been built specifically for him to enjoy. Seeing how happy his family was (and the baby goal celebration), was perfect.
Hassani Dotson – 5 | Community – 5.9 (off 53’ for Morris)
Dotson did not dominate the match, but he helped Seattle transition from the early feeling-out portion of the evening to the dominant control part. He gave them legs, balance, and enough calm to let the attackers and set pieces start doing their thing. Dotson’s contributions of 29 touches and 78 percent passing were a little mundane but created space for others to shine.
Served hot: The highlights were solid connective work and a useful stabilizing shift, and an essential 29th minute interception was key.
Leftovers: This wasn’t a night where Dotson stamped himself all over the match, and while the positional defense was there, the physicality wasn’t. He had a dismal 1/5 in duels won, struggling to find impact.
Clean plates: Hassani does the support work that allows others to excel, but there is an increasing opportunity to add more dynamic play that’s missing.
Attacking Midfield
Paul Arriola – 5 | Community – 6.1 (off 46’ for Rothrock)
Arriola’s night was basically one half of energetic movement and useful nuisance work before Coach Schmetzer decided a fresh Paul was in order. Arriola helped stretch things, pressed well, and was part of a front line that kept St. Louis uncomfortable once Seattle started rolling. The halftime hook says more about rotation management than poor play. He had a busy, helpful first half that included tidy 15/18 passing, winning all of his duels, and strong effort in two-way play.
Served hot: A lovely turn and drive forward in the 34th was a glimpse of the kinds of things he can bring.
Leftovers: No direct end product before his shift ended meant that while he was on the field for two set piece goals, Arriola was not able to create direct chances.
Clean plates: He did enough to contribute, then got some rest and hopefully can build upon the high moments of his play against St. Louis.
Albert Rusnák – 8 | Community – 8.0 (off 53’ for Ferreira)
Albert Rusnák was excellent. He had two assists on corners, a calmly taken penalty, and created the impression that every dangerous Seattle set piece came with his fingerprints on it, and was more than likely to end in a big chance. Time and again when Seattle needed a calm play, it was Albert (in only 25 touches) who controlled and found teammates in the right areas.
Served hot: Rusnák was dealing, starting with a beautiful 22nd minute assist, followed by the exact same delivery and exact same result 15 minutes later. When the captain told him to take the PK in the 49th, Albert calmly slotted home the 3-0 lead.
Leftovers: The set pieces were wonderful, but missing were big chances from the run of play, and Albert didn’t have a shot outside of his penalty kick.
Clean plates: Albert now has two home matches in a row where he absolutely crammed the statsheet and looks to be managing his nagging ailments well.
Snyder Brunell – 7 | Community – 7.0
Brunell earned another start in the rotated group and gave Seattle decent minutes in a match where he played in a wide tactical area. He was tidy enough, involved enough, and once Seattle settled, he fit into the rhythm rather than interrupting it. What was especially nice to see was Snyder impacting the match without replicating earlier wide struggles. His activity and security made Seattle a near-impenetrable midfield, with controlled play and chance creation.
Served hot: While not playing the role like others on the roster, Snyder made this position his own by coming inside and being directly goal-dangerous. A 22nd minute rocket shot forced a save and earned a corner from which Seattle would score their first. A 45th minute pass set up Danny Musovski for a good look.
Leftovers: You would still like a little more personality in games Seattle is bossing, and while Brunell was good from central areas, he didn’t add a lot of the wide connections, ending with a single key pass.
Clean plates: Snyder showed the versatility to help at a wide position, and he remains a key option centrally.
Forward
Danny Musovski – 5 | Community – 6.0 (off 80’ for De Rosario)
In a match with four goals, the striker somehow not getting one is mildly funny. Danny still gave Seattle a good central reference point and helped occupy defenders, while the real violence came from the midfield runners and set pieces. A perfectly acceptable striker shift that never quite became memorable meant Moose wasn’t doing a lot but still got close a number of times.
Served hot: A 45th minute big chance saw Brunell set him up and Danny get stuffed, but this curl off the backside was a neat little run and he got good contact, forcing a save.
Leftovers: The nonchalant manner in which Moose pressed and his lack of holdup were on full display, especially in the first half when Seattle struggled to control the match early.
Clean plates: Musovski gets in good moments but offsets that with a lack of match-controlling striker play. He’s a flawed option who has plenty of competition for minutes.
Substitutes
Paul Rothrock – 6 | Community – 6.5 (on 46’ for Arriola)
Another Paul entered at halftime and immediately did what he tends to do: injected noise, energy, and the sense that someone has released a terrier into a dinner party. He did not score, but he helped keep the pressure high and made St. Louis deal with a different kind of problem in the second half. Useful, annoying, very on-brand, and ultimately effective, Rothrock created his havoc and Seattle profited.
Served hot: He brought a ton of good second-half energy and directness, which immediately resulted in a won PK, putting the match completely out of reach.
Leftovers: While he should get an assist for winning the penalty, this was a quiet match from Paul. A missed cross in the 60th minute was wasteful, and this ended up being a muted outing.
Clean plates: Adding a dash of Rothrock is one of the easiest ways to change a game’s texture from the bench.
Jordan Morris – 5 | Community – 6.3 (on 53’ for Dotson)
Morris came on with the game already tilting Seattle’s way, and this stint served as another reminder that having his pace available changes how teams have to think. He did not end up with a goal contribution, but the threat was there, and Seattle stayed comfortably on the front foot while he was on the field. He turned 15 touches into multiple chance creations.
Served hot: Jordan brought fresh pace and immediate danger, serving up a nice cross in the 57th before an audacious backheel in the 68th minute opened up Jesús Ferreira who found a galloping Moose in behind.
Leftovers: No direct final product in a match that had room for one more line on the box score was disappointing to see, as Jordan is making stuff happen without the plaudits.
Clean plates: The attack still looks more dangerous when Jordan is in the mix, whether that is diving off wide areas or leading the point of the thrust.
Jesús Ferreira – 6 | Community – 7.1 (on 53’ for Rusnák)
Ferreira came on and quietly had another excellent game, assisting on Osaze De Rosario’s goal and helping Seattle keep the game moving in the right direction after Rusnák exited. It was not loud, but it was useful, which is sometimes the more valuable thing. Also, it’s great when a sub enters and immediately contributes to improving a stale gamestate.
Served hot: Jesús had a great shot in the 57th, and in the 68th a good understanding of Morris’s tricky pass with enough panache leftover to put a beautiful curling through ball into Musovski’s path.
Leftovers: An open header was a step in the right direction on goal-dangerousness, but he put it over in the 84th minute.
Clean plates: Ferreira is one of the top performers for the team, but it was also nice to see him maintain a high level of impact in a substitute appearance.
Peter Kingston – 5 | Community – 6.0 (on 60’ for A. Roldan)
Kingston picked up his first MLS assist on the De Rosario goal, and he enjoyed the freedom of entering a match where Seattle were already feeding people for fun. This meant a smart little contribution, tidy enough minutes, and an actual line in the box score. That is how you keep getting invited back to dinner.
Served hot: Kingston brought positive energy off the bench, and his transition play meant ODR got a chance.
Leftovers: Not a ton to complain about beyond the usual young-player polish stuff.
Clean plates: This was a productive cameo and Peter remains rock solid. Although they so far pale in comparison, his vision and connection are similar to what Jesús brings.
Osaze De Rosario – 6 | Community – 6.8 (on 80’ for Musovski)
A late substitute scoring his first MLS goal in a 4-1 home win makes a match feel fat and happy. De Rosario only had about 10 minutes plus stoppage time, but he made them count, which is more than can be said for other strikers in already-won games. He held a high attacking line, combined with teammates, and took his chance well.
Served hot: In the 86th minute ODR earned his goal, showing confidence with the ball at his feet and taking his chance well, weaving through traffic and finishing low through a defender’s legs.
Leftovers: He lost both his duels.
Clean plates: This is the kind of bench contribution coaches pretend not to love, but absolutely love. It should earn ODR consideration when strikers’ minutes are allotted.
Referee
Chris Penso – 7 | Community – 6.5
A Chris Penso match with no huge drama is basically the referee equivalent of the waiter bringing the check quickly and then disappearing forever. He was there, and he didn’t get involved in questionable calls because everything was quickly and clearly called without favor. The game never got away from him as physical play was quickly dealt with. That is praise, even if it sounds reluctant. He called 21 fouls and didn’t give a single yellow card.
Served hot: Penso kept the game moving and avoided becoming the story, doing an excellent job of playing advantage, avoiding any controversies, and quickly and definitively making any necessary big calls, like the penalty.
Leftovers: Seeing Chris Penso on the pitch still comes with some suspicion, and there was at least one questionable offside call where, luckily, the game stayed calm.
Clean plates: No nonsense, no circus, no notes, good meal.
St. Louis SC MOTM
“After a two-year battle with cancer, Ilona Löwen passed away this morning, March 9, 2026,” St. Louis City wrote in a statement. “We grieve alongside Edu and all those impacted by this loss and ask the City community to keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. Ilona was a beautiful example of love, humility, and kindness and will be deeply missed.”
Eduard Löwen, in his first match of 2026, scored a fantastic follow-up goal. Also, some things are bigger than soccer. Love and support to him and his family.
Coming up: A mid-week bye, then more home games. It’s time to continue the streak against FC Dallas, who has the league’s top scorer.
