RECAP: Sounders fall short in home defeat to Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field with Nicolás Lodeiro scoring the lone goal for the Rave Green.

Kansas City put the pressure on early, securing a goal in the fourth minute of the match after a driven ball into the eighteen led to a one-time finish from Erik Thommy in the center of the box.

The Sounders had an opportunity to tie the game in the 24th minute when Jordan Morris split defenders for Lodeiro to pick the ball up in the eighteen, but a Kansas City defender managed to get ahold of the ball at the last second. 

In the 31st minute, Thommy played a through ball that split the Sounders defense to the feet of Alan Pulido, who finished from close range to double the visitors’ lead.

The Sounders made several tactical adjustments at halftime, with Héber moving to the No. 9, Lodeiro lining up as the No. 10, and Morris shifting out to the right flank. 

In the 66th minute, the Sounders halved the deficit, after Fredy Montero was taken down in the box by a Sporting defender. Lodeiro stepped up and confidently dispatched his spot kick into the bottom left corner. 

The Sounders nearly equalized in the 72nd minute when an Albert Rusnák cross from the right side found Morris crashing the box, but a last-ditch defensive effort from the opposition denied the dangerous goal-scoring opportunity.  

In stoppage time, Alex Roldan cut into the box and attempted a shot near post, but it was hit just wide. The match closed out in Kansas City’s favor, as Seattle suffered its first defeat at Lumen Field in 2023.

THREE TAKEAWAYS 

Baker debut

Cody Baker made his first MLS regular season appearance debut in the 58th minute for the Sounders First Team. The Tacoma Defiance defender signed a short-term agreement, making him available as a substitute in today’s match. Baker, 19, provided plenty of energy and defensive grit in his first match at Lumen Field. 

Lodeiro makes the score sheet

While Lodeiro has been a catalyst for the Sounders attack all year, the veteran midfielder tallied his first goal of the season after a Kansas City foul in the box led to a penalty kick for the Rave Green. The Sounders captain now has one goal and five assists from the first 11 matches of the year. 

Back in action

The Sounders will be competing in four matches over the course of two weeks. The team kicks off the marathon stretch with their fourth round U.S. Open Cup match against LA Galaxy on Wednesday and head directly to Houston to take on the Dynamo on Saturday. The Rave Green will face Austin FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps the following week.