Sounders vs Whitecaps, recap: Home, sweet home



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SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders notched their 13th straight MLS Cup playoff spot with a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at home on Saturday night. Things started early when Kelyn Rowe and Shane O’Neill combined to open the scoring in the 5th minute and they never really looked back.

Although Vancouver had the wind in its sails when they reduced Seattle’s lead from 2-0 to 2-1 with a goal in a first-half stoppage, the Sounders never really looked like they didn’t. not control things. Everyone had fun as Seattle led Vancouver to the 4-1 victory, Rowe securing 3 assists, Montero 2, JP and Bruin each catching one themselves and four different scorers.

Any worries that may have crept in when Seattle hit a crisis in midsummer and then struggled to get out of it, have been completely erased now. After the team’s third 9-point “week”, the Sounders crushed a Vancouver team that got them into trouble when they arrived in town in June, and extended their winning streak to four in a row. by scoring 12 goals in those games. They now control the West fairly firmly and are still 8 points behind New England with a game in hand and a build-up. Getting in good position and in good shape heading into the playoffs is the top priority, but running to the Supporters Shield down the home stretch isn’t really something to laugh at either.

5 ‘- Shane O’Neill goal! Kelyn Rowe sends a cross after a short corner routine, and O’Neill meets him at the far post and sends him through the goal and into the net! 1-0 Depth sounders

14 ‘- Nicolas Benezet pulls, he twerk! Will Bruin kicks in the box, Benezet beats his man with a touch and finishes at a tight angle! 2-0

18 ‘- Vancouver’s best chance of the game comes with a shot just outside the box that hits the crossbar, but the Seattle defense is able to clear him out of danger.

45 ‘+1 – Some less than impressive defenses allow Vancouver to land a shot that Stefan Frei stops, but they get the rebound and cut it for an easy finish. 2-1

55 ‘- Will Bruin takes back the two goals in advance! Great play results in a slide rule pass from Fredy Montero that puts Bruin behind, and he covers his shot! 3-1

68 ‘- Abdoulaye Cissoko almost adds one for Seattle as he meets Rowe’s cross well, but the keeper dives and is able to kick the ball away from goal.

75 ‘- Vancouver splits the defense and Cristian Dajome gets a 1-v-1 with Frei, but Frei’s kick preserves the lead.

90 ‘- Léo Chú adds a fourth! Chú scores his first Sounders goal after a little patience and a superb pass from Montero to put the game aside. 4-1

The truth about Kelyn Rowe: Kelyn Rowe is not a perfect player. Far from it, honestly. He particularly struggled, in my opinion, when asked to play as a right winger in place of Alex Roldan. His defensive instincts proved insufficient, in particular, and he sometimes struggled to create the kind of impact needed to make up for that. Tonight was different, however. Missing the team’s internationals, still without Seattle’s main chance creator in Nicolas Lodeiro, Rowe stepped up and filled the void. He was involved in all four goals, put in a good defensive performance and absolutely terrified the Vancouver left side at both ends of the field. It was a reminder that while it might be too demanding of him to be a contributor in every game, he is an elite MLS depth element capable of changing a game when he is. to his favorite.

Goals, goals, goals: Four consecutive multi-goal games for the Sounders after this one, three in a row with three or more goals. The Sounders needed more goals from forwards other than Raúl Ruidíaz, even more now with the severity of Ruidíaz’s new injury weighing on the team. Will Bruin scored another goal against Vancouver, as did Nicolas Benezet. Léo Chú scored his first goal for the club and Kelyn Rowe had 3 assists and 4 more assists. He even had a fourth assist denied due to an offside. They can’t play Vancouver every week, but even without some of their biggest stars, this team is still more than capable of creating and finishing chances. Oh, and Jordan Morris is on his way home.

João Paulo 4 MVP: It wasn’t João Paulo’s flashiest game of all time, and his numbers won’t necessarily jump on you. He had 1 assist, another key pass and didn’t miss much on a few shots from outside the box. Instead, he did what he’s been doing all season: let the Sounders’ game go through him. He led both teams in total touches and passes – 99 and 71, respectively – had 3 tackles and 16 outrageous recoveries. João Paulo is the most important player in what is, in my opinion, the best team in the league. JP 4 MVP.

Will Bruin wants to make sure you know he is the 10th active MLS player with the most goals.

57.8% – Seattle has won 57.8% of the duels against Vancouver.




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