The Seattle Sounders came back and earned a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo at Lumen Field on Sunday night, with Nouhou and Fredy Montero each scoring in the second half.
Seattle started the match brightly as Nicolás Lodeiro generated a couple of shots and Raúl Ruidíaz forced goalkeeper Steve Clark into a diving save inside the first ten minutes.
The Sounders dominated possession in the early stages, but entered the break down a goal after Daniel Steres deflected a long-range effort by Coco Carasquilla past Stefan Frei in the 26th minute.
Seattle came roaring back in the second half, posting a number of half-chances in the early stages. That pressure paid off in the 59th minute when Nouhou was first on the scene to smash home a rebound off a Ruidíaz shot to level the score.
Nouhou’s first goal as a Sounder breathed new life into the stadium, with the hosts mounting wave after wave of attack. It looked like they might take the lead in the 75th minute when substitute Montero earned a penalty kick, but Lodeiro’s ensuing effort from the spot was denied by Steve Clark.
It was once again Nouhou and Montero at the center of the action for the game-winning goal. Seattle’s left back drove into the final third and clipped a lofted ball to the back post, where Montero rose up and headed it home past Clark.
The Sounders return to action next weekend as they host Austin FC (5:08 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) at Lumen Field on Saturday.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Nouhou masterclass
Nouhou put on an attacking clinic on Sunday night as he grabbed his first MLS goal. The Sounders left back had played 135 regular-season matches for the club prior to opening his account, but it was well worth the wait. It was also his first game for Seattle in which he posted multiple goal contribution as he registered the assist on Montero’s winner.
Montero magic
Speaking of Montero, the Sounders legend came up clutch when his team needed him most. The 35-year-old forward immediately injected energy into the match as he set up a host of chances. When Seattle was unable to capitalize on the penalty he drew, Montero remained undeterred and nabbed all three points with a picturesque goal.
Crucial points
With the Portland Timbers winning at home and the LA Galaxy dropping points on the road, Seattle’s win carried extra weight in the push for the postseason. The Sounders sit six points back of Portland with a game in-hand for the final spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
