SEATTLE — Nicolás Lodeiro scored a highlight-reel, game-winning goal in the first half to lift the Seattle Sounders to a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field on Saturday.
Lodeiro recorded the game’s only tally in the 18th minute, smashing a first-time volley off a cross from Cristian Roldan. Lodeiro faded away from goal, sneaking the shot past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The Sounders grabbed their fourth win in five games to start the season and remain unbeaten, earning 13 from a possible 15 points so far in 2019.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
HIGHLIGHT-REEL WINNER
It’s not often you hear the term “fadeaway” associated with a soccer goal, so appreciate the novelty of Lodeiro’s first-half winner. The Uruguayan hammered a shot home while backpedaling away from the RSL net before somehow placing his shot directly in between Rimando and the near post. It was a moment of improvisational brilliance that makes Lodeiro one of the most entertaining players in MLS and could very well end up being the goal with the highest degree of difficulty the Sounders score this season.
BRUIN LEADS THE LINE
The Sounders were without star striker Raúl Ruidíaz, who sustained a heel contusion in the club’s draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend. Veteran forward Will Bruin made his first start of the season and despite not scoring, he put his size, physicality and ability to occupy and frustrate opposing center backs on full display over his 73-minute shift.
SHORT TURNAROUND
There will be little time to celebrate the win, however, as the club kicks off its first three-match week of the 2019 season. The Sounders hit the road for a matchup with the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday (6 p.m. PT; JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM), before returning to Seattle for a home tilt with Toronto FC on April 13 (1 p.m. PT; JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
