08/31/22 – (Orlando, FL) Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei did everything he could to give his team a chance against a formidable opponent in Orlando City, but the Sounders were shocked again with yet another defeat, falling 3-2 on a wet night in Florida to put their MLS playoff hopes on life support with 6 games remaining.

The Sounders took the lead in the 26th minute on a wonderful strike on a deep free kick from midfielder Albert Rusnak, and Sounders fans felt like finally their team would end the suffering that has been the last month of Sounders soccer when star Raul Rudiaz found the back of the net in the 52nd to give Seattle a cushion.

No lead has been comfortable to sit on for the Sounders as of late, as City answered with a goal by Facundo Torres just a minute later. The rival from the Eastern Conference tied it up on a penalty from Ercan Kara in the 68th, and the match had to give start to give Sounders faithful a “here we go again sensation.”  In stoppage time in the 90 +1 Orlando put the dagger in Seattle when Torres found Kyle Smith for the game winner.

 

Raul Ruidiaz fights for the ball against an Orlando FC defender. Photo credit Mark Thor, Sounders FC Communications.

Seattle falls to 10-3-15 and with 33 points, is currently in 10th in the West, 5 points down from the Los Angeles Galaxy who are in the 7th and final playoff spot. Sounders will play for their post season lives on Sunday when they host the Houston Dynamo in basically a must-win situation.

 

 

WordPress Image Lightbox