SEATTLE– Jordan Morris scored the first goal of his MLS career and defender Chad Marshall netted for the second time in two weeks to give the Seattle Sounders a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union in front of 39,620 at CenturyLink Field on Saturday night.
Morris provided what turned out to be a necessary insurance goal against the 10-man Union in the 71st minute, tracking down a laced through ball from Andreas Ivanschitz and poking a shot past goalkeeper Andre Blake for the 2-0 lead. It was the second assist of the night for Ivanschitz, and his third of the young season.
Former Sounder Sebastien Le Toux pulled a goal back moments later, getting on the end of a C.J. Sapong header and easily beating goalkeeper Stefan Frei from close range. Le Toux injured himself on the play and was immediately subbed out.
Despite cutting the deficit in half, the shorthanded Union (3-3-0, 9 points) never seriously threatened again.
Philadelphia went down a man when referee Drew Fischer handed Roland Alberg his second yellow card of the night in the 53rd minute. Both cards were issued for rash tackles on Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan.
The Sounders (2-3-1, 7 points) opened the scoring in the 41st minute, with Marshall rising unencumbered to powerfully head an Ivanschitz corner kick past Blake for the 1-0 lead. Ivanschitz nearly doubled the lead barely two minutes later, forcing Blake into a fingertip save with a ripped one-touch shot from 12 yards out.
The upstart Union opened the match on the front foot, controlling possession and repeatedly dumping in crosses from the right side. A mountain of possession never amounted to much, however, with Sapong sending the visitors’ best early chance well over the crossbar in the 11th minute. Despite conceding so much of the game early, Seattle closed down space around the edge of the penalty area as quickly as it has all season.
Looking forward, both teams are back in action next weekend. The Sounders visit the Colorado Rapids (3-2-1, 10 points), while the Union host New York City FC (1-2-3, 6 points).
MAN OF THE MATCH
Chad Marshall. With a season threatening to run off the rails, the veteran defender delivered two crucial goals in two weeks. His thundering header on Saturday seemed to infuse his team with a bit of swagger that has been missing for much of 2016. Six games in, Marshall is somehow the club’s leading scorer.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The first career goal for young Jordan Morris. Pressure had been mounting on the rookie as he went five straight games without a goal or assist while Seattle’s attack sputtered out of the gate. He appeared increasingly tense over the last few weeks and looked visibly relieved after opening his professional account.
MATCH TO FORGET
Roland Alberg. While the Union were already trailing 1-0, a road point seemed plausible for the visitors until Alberg’s second rough challenge of the evening provided Seattle a man-advantage and changed the tenor of the match. The second yellow might have been soft, but Alberg should never have left his feet and forced Fischer to make a judgment call.
Well, thank God he finally scored, since his professional career was hanging by a thread due to being a colossal bust the first five games, according to some posters. At least now his career is off life support.
Morris boo boo.
Union were the better team for most of the game. It’s a marketed improvement from last year. There are no moral victories, but this was a good performance. Seattle is not the Seattle of old.
Are you thinking of a different game? After the first 15 minutes the Sounders controlled play and should have 3 or 4 goals (Blake’s save on Ivanschitz, Gomez missing at the end, Morris early in the match, and more). LeToux scored on basically the only good shot the Union had.
Has anyone seriously ever seen him even use his left foot?…
Second goal in college cup this year. Fantastic turn with left and then he finished with the same foot.
Glad to know Sasquatch actually DOES exist … lol
Can we start a GoFundMe to pay Morris for everytime he uses his left foot? $1Mil per touch. He won’t get a dime lol
To clarify, I’m fully behind Morris, just baffles me that he rarely (read:cant) use his left foot
Diego Maradona, Arjen Robben, Lionel Messi, come to mind as players who rely / relied heavily on one foot. Especially true for the first two. Proof that being a one-footed player can be compensated for with other qualities.
Just had to be with the outside of his right foot
Nothing like the smell of of freshly cut, grounded up tire rubber in the morning. I kidd I kidd let’s not go there.
Glad that Morris finally scored.