The Seattle Sounders defeated Austin FC 2-1 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday. Jordan Morris and Sebastián Driussi traded second-half goals before Albert Rusnák found the match-winner in the 90th minute.
Léo Chú had the best chance of the first half for the Sounders in the 29th minute when Morris played the Brazilian through on the left side. Chú’s effort struck the near post, though, and went out for a goal kick.
Stefan Frei made a fantastic double-save in the 34th minute when he denied Memo Rodríguez and then Emiliano Rigoni in back-to-back fashion.
Morris almost found the opener in the 38th minute when he went 1-v-1 on the left side of the box, but goalkeeper Brad Stuver made a great save to force a corner.
Morris did find the go-ahead goal just three minutes after halftime when he redirected a Nicolás Lodeiro free kick past Stuver at the near post.
Frei came up huge once again in the 56th minute when he kept out a Rigoni header at the far post, palming out what looked to be a certain goalscoring opportunity.
Driussi equalized for Austin FC in the 72nd minute when Gyasi Zardes flicked on a corner kick to the far post, and the Argentine playmaker knocked in his eighth goal of the year.
Rusnák tallied his third goal of the season in dramatic fashion, taking a blocked shot from Obed Vargas off the half-volley inside the box and smashing it into the back of the net.
After four points from two road matches in the past four days, the Sounders return to Seattle on Saturday for a huge Cascadia clash with the rival Portland Timbers (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Frei stands on his head
Frei had arguably his best performance of the season and perhaps since the Sounders’ win at New York City FC in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League semifinals last year. The veteran was unplayable in Austin, racking up five saves and was unlucky not to extend his league-leading clean sheet mark.
Lodeiro makes history
With his assist on Wednesday, Lodeiro recorded his team-leading 10th helper of the year. The Uruguayan became just the fifth player in MLS history to record six seasons of double-digit assists. He’s already the club’s all-time leader in assists with 80 in regular-season play, and he’s racked up 94 total in all competitions.
Morris back on the score sheet
Morris earned his 10th goal of the year, the fourth time in his MLS career that he’s reached double digits in goals. The tally came at a great time for the Mercer Island, Wash., native, who scored his second goal in his last four matches in all competitions.
Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers
The Seattle Sounders are back at Lumen Field this weekend for a rivalry match against the Portland Timbers on Sunday!
