The Seattle Sounders defeated Sporting Kansas City 5-2 at Lumen Field on Sunday night behind a hat trick from Danny Musovski and goals from Kalani Kossa-Rienzi and Snyder Brunell. Sporting KC got goals from Mason Toye and an own goal from Cody Baker.
The Sounders almost took the lead just 25 seconds in when Georgi Minoungou marauded down the left flank and crossed a ball across the six-yard box for a sliding Musovski, but he couldn’t quite get a touch to redirect it into the net.
Musovski had a golden chance in the eighth minute when Jansen Miller played an errant pass back to goalkeeper John Pulskamp that Musovski intercepted. His initial touch beyond Pulskamp took him a little too far wide and his attempt from a tight angle hit the side netting.
The Sounders capitalized on the early momentum in the 11th minute when Brunell drove at the Kansas City defense and laid a ball off to Minoungou on the left. The Ivorian crossed a ball to Kossa-Rienzi, whose initial left-footed shot was blocked by an SKC defender, but Kossa-Rienzi collected the rebound by taking it off his chest and hammering home a right-footed half-volley to give Seattle the lead.
Sporting KC equalized in the 36th minute when Zorhan Bassong slipped in Tim Leibold down the left wing, and he played a ball across the box for a streaking Toye, who tapped in past Stefan Frei.
The Sounders restored their advantage in the first minute of first half stoppage time when Reed Baker-Whiting clipped in a ball at the near post where an onrushing Musovski headed past Pulskamp.
Musovski doubled his tally in the 50th minute when he rose to redirect a header from a Danny Leyva corner kick that found the back of the net.
SKC promptly responded three minutes later when Leibold whipped in a great cross from the left side of the field and into the run of Dániel Sallói, whose shot was deflected off Cody Baker and past Frei.
Brunell added the fourth Sounders goal in the 61st minute when Minoungou drove to the left end line and dropped a pass back to Brunell, who had held his run and fired in a one-timed, left-footed shot to the near post.
Musovski completed his hat trick form the penalty spot in the 75th minute after Leyva was taken down in the box by Jacob Bartlett. The Nevada native stepped up and made no mistake, beating Pulskamp down to the goalkeeper’s right.
Osaze De Rosario almost got on the score sheet in the 88th minute when Paul Rothrock played a ball across goal, but De Rosario’s attempt from close range went over the crossbar.
De Rosario had another opportunity in the fourth minute of stoppage time when he spun his defender in the box, but his subsequent shot missed wide left.
The Sounders end the weekend in fourth place in the Western Conference with 44 points from 27 matches (12-7-8).
Seattle will head to Carson, Calif., on Wednesday for a massive Leagues Cup Semifinals match at the LA Galaxy (7:45 p.m. PT; Watch on Univision or MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Musovski makes amends
After getting sent off for dissent against Club Puebla in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals last week, Musovski responded with a hat trick, the first in his MLS career. His career year continues with 13 goals in the MLS season -- and 15 across all competitions.
Brunell’s dream start continues
After signing a Homegrown contract on July 29, the 18-year-old Brunell now has two goals in his first three First Team appearance in all competitions, including back-to-back MLS appearances against the LA Galaxy and Sporting KC.
Rotation pays off
Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made eight changes from his starting against Puebla last week, and Seattle put in quality shifts all over the pitch allowing rest for players expected to start in the Leagues Cup Semifinals on Wednesday.
