MATCH RECAP: Sounders FC Defeats Austin FC 2-1 at Q2 Stadium

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Sounders FC (11-9-7, 40 points) won 2-1 over Austin FC (9-12-5, 32 points) on Wednesday evening at Q2 Stadium. Jordan Morris scored his 10^th goal of the season and Nico Lodeiro recorded his 10^th assist, with Albert Rusnák adding the game-winning strike as Seattle remains in third place in the Western Conference following the result.

The Rave Green broke the scoreless deadlock in the 48^th minute, as Lodeiro found Morris with a free kick at the near post for a tap-in past Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver. It marked the 10^th goal of the season for Morris and 10^th assist for Lodeiro, both leading the team in their respective categories.

Austin leveled the score in the 72^nd minute off a corner, with Gyasi Zardes putting in service to the feet of Sebastian Driussi, who converted the chance in front of goal.

Rusnák found the game-winner for Seattle in the 90^th minute. After a Seattle shot was blocked inside the area, the Slovakian international was able to smash a shot off a half-volley, deflecting off an Austin FC defender and into the back of the net.

Brian Schmetzer’s side now returns home to host Cascadia rival Portland Timbers on Saturday, September 2 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).

MATCH NOTES

• The result keeps Seattle in third place in the Western Conference with 40 points, tied with second-place LAFC on points, but trailing the Southern California side via goal difference. Following midweek results across the league tonight, Seattle now sits two points above Houston at the time of writing.

• Sounders FC is now 3-1-2 all-time against Austin FC since the Texas side joined MLS in 2021, including an unbeaten 2-0-1 road mark. With tonight’s result, Seattle and Austin split their 2023 season series, each taking a win on the road. Austin defeated the Rave Green 2-1 on May 17 at Lumen Field.

• The win was Seattle’s first in six league matches, dating back to a 3-2 road victory at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 8, a match that was also clinched on a last-minute game-winning goal.

• Jordan Morris scored his team-leading 10^th goal of the season to give Seattle the lead early in the second half. The Mercer Island native now has 63 career goals for Sounders FC across all competitions, third in club history.

• Nico Lodeiro recorded an assist for the second-consecutive match, giving him a team-leading 10 on the season. It marked the 80^th career assist in MLS regular-season action since joining the league in 2016, as well as his 94^th across all competitions (both club records).

• Lodeiro becomes just the fifth player in league history to register six or more 10-assist seasons. Sounders FC Assistant Coach Preki is the league’s all-time leader with eight seasons with at least 10 assists.

• Rusnák’s goal was good for his third strike of the year, with the midfielder also scoring against Minnesota on April 22 and Houston on July 1, both of which were game-winners.

• Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made five changes to his starting XI from Sunday’s match at Minnesota: Reed Baker-Whiting, Xavier Arreaga, Josh Atencio, Ethan Dobbelaere and Léo Chú replaced Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Obed Vargas, Albert Rusnák and Raúl Ruidíaz.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Austin FC 1

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Venue: Q2 Stadium

Referee: Drew Fischer

Assistants: Cory Richardson, Walt Heatherly

Fourth Official: Matthew Corrigan

VAR: Daniel Radford

Attendance: 20,738

Weather: 95 degrees and clear

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Jordan Morris (Nico Lodeiro) 48’

ATX – Sebastian Driussi (Gyasi Zardes) 72’

SEA – Albert Rusnák 90’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 37’

ATX – Gyasi Zardes (caution) 46’

ATX – Jhojan Valencia (caution) 53’

SEA – Nouhou (caution) 87’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Reed Baker-Whiting, Jackson Ragen, Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou; João Paulo (Albert Rusnák 46’), Josh Atencio, Ethan Dobbelaere (Obed Vargas 79’), Nico Lodeiro, Léo Chú (Yeimar 84’); Jordan Morris (Héber 64’)

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Alex Roldan, Paul Rothrock, Fredy Montero, Raúl Ruidíaz

Total shots: 11

Shots on goal: 3

Fouls: 13

Offside: 0

Corner-Kicks: 6

Saves: 5

Austin FC – Brad Stuver; Matt Hedges (Leo Väisänen 65’), Jon Gallagher, Julio Cascante, Nick Lima; Jhojan Valencia (Alex Ring 74’), Sebastian Driussi, Owen Wolff; Emiliano Rigoni (Ethan Finlay 83’), Gyasi Zardes (Will Bruin 74’), Memo Rodríguez (Maxi Urruti 83’)

Substitutes not used: Matt Bersano, Hector Jimenez, CJ Fodrey, Adam Lundkvist

Total shots: 13

Shots on goal: 6

Fouls: 8

Offside: 3

Corner-kicks: 3

Saves: 1