Sounders crush CF Montreal, post first win of season

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th April, 01:00 2024

Apr 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; CF Montreal midfielder Samuel Piette (6) and Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) battle for the ball during the first half at Lumen Field. credits: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Raul Ruidiaz scored twice as the Seattle Sounders earned their first victory of the MLS season, defeating visiting CF Montreal 5-0 on Saturday night.

Jordan Morris, Alex Roldan and Dylan Teves also tallied and goalkeeper Stefan Frei made two saves for the Sounders (1-3-2, 5 points).

Jonathan Sirois stopped seven shots for Montreal (2-3-1, 7 points), which wrapped up its season-opening, six-game trip. The visitors, who lost their third in a row, played short-handed after Nathan Saliba received a second yellow card in the 53rd minute and was ejected.

Ruidiaz opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Albert Rusnak's free kick from about 30 yards out on the right wing for Jackson Ragen at the far post was headed away by the Montreal defense but fell to Ruidiaz just inside the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Ruidiaz looped a left-footed shot over a leaping Sirois and into the far side netting.

Minutes later, Rusnak was tripped by defender Joel Waterman while making a run down the center of the penalty area. Referee Filip Dujic originally waved his arms signaling no call, but soon after received word of a video review. The call was changed and Ruidiaz blasted a penalty kick into the lower left corner of the net in the 27th minute. It was Ruidiaz's fourth goal of the season, one shy of his total in an injury-marred 2023.

Ruidiaz nearly completed his first MLS hat trick in the 33rd minute but Sirois made a diving save on the striker's shot from just outside the top of the 18-yard box.

Morris scored his first of the season in the 48th minute, taking a low cross from Cristian Roldan on the right wing and putting a back heel between his own legs from about 3 yards out.

Alex Roldan delivered in the 81st minute, tapping a cross from Rusnak into an empty net.

Teves scored in the final minute of second-half stoppage time.

Seattle left back Nouhou Tolo suffered an apparent left thigh injury early in the match and had to be subbed off for Cody Baker at the 11-minute mark.

—Field Level Media

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