Stefan Frei gets historic shutout as Sounders blank Sporting Kansas City

Field Level Media|published: Sun 15th September, 21:57 2024

Sep 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock (14) plays the ball defended by Sporting Kansas City forward Khiry Shelton (11) in the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Goalkeeper Stefan Frei moved into sole possession of second place on MLS' all-time shutout list as the Seattle Sounders defeated visiting Sporting Kansas City 2-0 on Sunday night.

Frei was forced to make just one save -- a diving stop on a left-footed shot by Erik Thommy in the 35th minute -- in posting his 113th regular-season clean sheet, breaking a tie with Kevin Hartman. Former Real Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando holds the record with 154 shutouts.

Jackson Ragen and Paul Rothrock scored first-half goals for the Sounders (13-9-7, 46 points), who improved to 9-2-1 over their past 12 league matches. Seattle moved from seventh place into fifth in the Western Conference standings.

Sporting KC's Peter Vermes became the third coach in league history to reach 500 regular-season matches and the first to do so with only one club. But SKC (7-15-7, 28 points) sit 11 points behind Minnesota United for the West's final playoff berth with just five matches remaining.

Kansas City nearly opened the scoring in the 16th minute off a Johnny Russell corner kick. Seattle's Alex Roldan tried to head the ball away from the far post, but it deflected off SKC's Dany Rosero and went toward the net. However, Cristian Roldan was there to clear it off the line.

Seattle got the first goal in the 19th minute following Albert Rusnak's corner kick from the right wing. Kansas City's Tim Melia made a diving save on a header by Jordan Morris, but the rebound fell to Ragen, who blasted a shot over the fallen goalie from about 4 yards out.

The Sounders appeared to double their advantage in the 24th minute on a header by Cristian Roldan off an assist from Alex Roldan, but a video review determined that Morris was offside and impacted the play.

Seattle extended its lead in the 40th minute. Cristian Roldan chipped the ball into the penalty area and Rusnak sent a header toward Morris, who stretched for the ball and got a toe on it to redirect a pass to a wide-open Rothrock.

Rothrock then beat Melia from about 6 yards out.

The Sounders nearly scored again in the 44th minute, but Melia made a diving save on a penalty kick by Rusnak.

--Field Level Media

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