The Seattle Sounders, powered by star showings from left wingback Brad Smith and striker Raul Ruidiaz, outmaneuvered the LA Galaxy 3-0 on Sunday night at Lumen Field.
Smith created Ruidiaz’s opener in the 20th minute, picking out Seattle’s striker for the 1-0 advantage. The Peruvian No. 9 guided home a right-footed shot, easily beating LA goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
Seattle then doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute, with Smith poking home a second-effort shot to extend matters at 2-0. The Australian defender was picked out by Cristian Roldan, who whipped in a low cross from the right flank.
Searching for a third goal that’d put the game to bed, Seattle discovered that in the 93rd minute through Ruidiaz. He one-timed home a cross from second-half substitute Jimmy Medranda, who bombed down the left flank before finding the 30-year-old's centering run.
LA came closest in the 27th minute when Efrain Alvarez lofted a through ball over the Sounders’ defense for Samuel Grandsir. The former AS Monaco winger burst through for a 1-on-1 attempt, but Stefan Frei produced a clutch save.
The Sounders nearly found another in the 81st minute via midfielder Kelyn Rowe, who made his first start for his hometown club. Rowe, picked out by a cross, sent a looping header off both the crossbar and post that somehow spun out.
Goals
20' – SEA – Raul Ruidiaz
23' – SEA – Brad Smith
90+3' – SEA – Raul Ruidiaz
Next Up
LA: Saturday, May 8 vs. LAFC | 8 pm ET (FOX, FOX Deportes)
