The MLS season opener couldn’t have gone much better for the Seattle Sounders.
The Sounders, who missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season, defeated the visiting Colorado Rapids 4-0 even without star forward Raul Ruidiaz, who was nursing a strained right hamstring.
Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer said he expects Ruidiaz to be available for the Saturday home match against Real Salt Lake.
“(Raul) has been working hard with the trainer and the fitness guys so there will be some buildup, but he hasn’t lost much fitness in two weeks,” Schmetzer said.
Jordan Morris scored twice, Cristian Roldan and Heber also tallied and Stefan Frei made two saves in the opening shutout.
“It just feels good to kind of put last year behind us a bit and move forward with a new season,” Morris said. “Getting a couple of goals under your belt the first game of the season helps you build confidence. I’m excited to keep building as a group.”
Real Salt Lake rallied for a 2-1 road victory last weekend against the Vancouver Whitecaps, extending their points streak in season openers to a league-record 14 matches (7-0-7).
After trailing 1-0 at the intermission, RSL got goals from Justin Glad and Damir Kreilach three minutes apart midway through the second half.
Kreilach scoring was significant in that he played in only five matches last season before undergoing back surgery.
“The things that Dami brings to the group are so much more than what you see with your eyes,” RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “He brings just an unbelievable amount of leadership to the group, managing the game the right way, leading the press from the front, linking through the midfield. But his greatest asset is scoring goals.
“You know, I’ve never seen a player that is so lethal in front of goal. He takes his chances well.”
RSL could use some of that Saturday, as its 2-1 victory last August raised their all-time record in Seattle to just 4-11-2.
–Field Level Media
