SEATTLE, WASH. ā Seattle Sounders FC (10-9-6, 36 points) fell 2-0 to Atlanta United FC (10-7-8, 38 points) Sunday evening on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored a brace for the visitors, as the Rave Green dropped they return to MLS action following nearly a three-week break from competitive action for Leagues Cup 2023. Brian Schmetzerās side now embarks on a two-match road trip, beginning on Sunday, August 27 at Minnesota United FC (1:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV ā Watch Free, FOX, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM) before heading to face Austin FC on Wednesday, August 30 (5:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH NOTES
- Following tonightās loss, Sounders FC remains on 36 points for the season through 25 matches played (10-9-6), with the Rave Green currently occupying fourth place in Major League Soccerās Western Conference, one point behind LAFC and Real Salt Lake, and eight points behind conference-leading St. Louis.
- Goalkeeper Stefan Frei became Seattleās all-time leader in club appearances tonight, reaching 340 since 2014 (MLS era only). The previous holder of this record, midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, was on hand tonight as an Atlanta United player. Alonso presented Frei with a framed jersey to commemorate the occasion in a pre-match ceremony. In addition to the all-time club appearance record, Frei has set franchise records in every goalkeeping category, leading Sounders FC to five major titles in the process. He leads MLS in shutouts this season (11).
- In the all-time series dating back to Atlantaās inaugural season in 2017, Seattle moves to 1-2-3. At Lumen Field, the Rave Green are now 1-1-2 against the Five Stripes.
- With the start tonight, fullback Alex Roldan made his 150thĀ all-time appearance for Sounders FC in all competitions. The Seattle University product has been a mainstay for the Rave Green, joining the club in 2018 as the 22ndĀ overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
- New addition Paul Rothrock made his official Lumen Field debut in Rave Green tonight, coming into the match as a 68th-minute substitute after being unveiled earlier this week. Rothrock, a Sounders FC Academy product, notably scored three goals in three appearances for Sounders FC earlier this year via short-term agreements prior to signing his new deal. After finding the net in a pair of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches against San Diego Loyal SC (April 26) and LA Galaxy (May 10), Rothrock scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 regular-season win at Houston (May 13).
- Atlanta United forward Giorgos Giakoumakis recorded a brace in tonightās match, good for his 11thĀ and 12thĀ goals of the year. The Greek international is now tied for second place in the MLS Golden Boot race.
- Prior to tonightās match, Sounders FC honored former Sounders Gonzalo Pineda and Garth Lagerwey. Pineda, a former Sounders FC player and assistant coach on Brian Schmetzerās staff, is currently Head Coach of the Five Stripes, while Garth Lagerwey, who served as General Manager & President of Soccer for Seattle, is now the Georgia clubās President & CEO. Lagerwey received a commemorative watch in recognition of the 2022 Concacaf Champions League title, presented by Owner Adrian Hanauer on behalf of the club.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 0 ā Atlanta United FC 2
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Venue:Ā Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field
Referee:Ā Allen Chapman
Assistants:Ā Jeremy Hanson, Kali Smith
Fourth Official:Ā Mark Allatin
VAR:Ā Kevin Terry Jr.
Attendance:Ā 31,149
Weather:Ā 75 degrees and smoke
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL āĀ Giorgos Giakoumakis (Brooks Lennon) 11ā
ATL āĀ Giorgos Giakoumakis (Thiago Alamada) 65ā
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA āĀ Yeimar (caution) 8ā
ATL āĀ Thiago Almeda (caution) 26ā
ATL āĀ Edwin Mosquera (caution) 64ā
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC āĀ Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou (Reed Baker-Whiting); JoĆ£o Paulo (Obed Vargas 68ā), Albert RusnĆ”k, Jordan Morris, Nico Lodeiro (Fredy Montero 68ā), LĆ©o ChĆŗ (Paul Rothrock 68ā); RaĆŗl RuidĆaz
Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Xavier Arreaga, Josh Atencio, Ethan Dobbelaere, Héber
Total shots:Ā 16
Shots on goal:Ā 2
Fouls:Ā 11
Offside:Ā 2
Corner-Kicks:Ā 8
Saves:Ā 5
Atlanta United FC āĀ Brad Guzan; Luis Abram, Brooks Lennon, Miles Robinson, Caleb Wiley; Tristan Muyumba Nkita (Juan Jose Purata 86ā), Thiago Almada, Matheus Rossetto (Osvaldo Alonso 77ā), Edwin Mosquera (Amar Sejdic 78ā); Giorgos Giakoumakis (Miguel Berry 86ā), Xande Silva (Tyler Wolff 66ā)
Substitutes not used:Ā Ronald Hernandez, Santiago Sosa, Derrick Etienne Jr., Quentin Westberg
Total shots:Ā 9
Shots on goal:Ā 7
Fouls:Ā 15
Offside:Ā 1
Corner-kicks:Ā 6
Saves:Ā 2
- SOUNDERS FC -