The Seattle Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy 2-1 on Wednesday at Lumen Field to clinch their spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Jordan Morris and Douglas Costa traded goals before Cristian Roldan won the match at the death to secure all three points.
The Sounders struck early when Morris found the back of the net in the ninth minute. João Paulo won a 50-50 ball on the right side of the pitch and then swung in a cross, which Morris headed past Jonathan Bond.
Seattle nearly doubled the lead in the 17th minute when a beautiful exchange among Léo Chú, Morris and Albert Rusnák led to an open Chú header, but he sent it wide of the net.
LA’s best chance of the half came against the run of the play in the 37th minute when Douglas Costa struck a free kick in the center of the pitch from 25 yards out that deflected off the Sounders’ wall.
The Galaxy equalized in the 54th minute when Costa split the Sounders’ defense and finished past Stefan Frei.
Chú had another opportunity in the 65th minute on a deflected ball off a corner kick, but his shot missed the target.
Jackson Ragen almost gave the Sounders the advantage in the 81st minute when he headed a cross from Alex Roldan over the crossbar.
Cristian Roldan found a dramatic match-winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time when he one-timed a Josh Atencio flick header into the far corner from six yards out. The goal was Roldan’s third of the season and first since returning recently from injury.
The Sounders will play their final home match of the regular season on Saturday when they welcome the rival Vancouver Whitecaps to Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Sounders clinch MLS Cup Playoffs berth
A year after missing the postseason for the first time in their 14-year MLS history, the Sounders return to the MLS Cup Playoffs, clinching their berth on Wednesday with two regular-season matches remaining. Seattle will look to finish in the top four in the Western Conference, which would guarantee home field advantage in the first round.
New father bump
Morris missed Seattle’s goalless draw in Nashville last week after the birth of his first child and returned to the lineup with a bang, netting his 11th goal of the season. The tally puts him one shy of his career high, which he set during his rookie season in 2016.
Unbeaten run vs. Galaxy continues
The Sounders extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches against the Galaxy in MLS. LA hasn’t defeated the Sounders in league play since Sept. 23, 2018.
