The Seattle Sounders secured a 3-0 win over Liga MX side Querétaro on Sunday afternoon, with Sebastian Gomez, Danny Musovski and Albert Rusnák getting on the scoresheet.
It was a dream start for Gomez as he powered his hometown team to an early lead in the 4th minute. In his first start with the Sounders, the Academy product started a sweeping possession sequence before finishing off a teasing cross from Paul Rothrock at the back post for his first goal.
Querétaro nearly equalized ten minutes later as Jesús Arellano dribbled into the box and fired a shot that took a wicked deflection, but Stefan Frei produced a stunning save with his trailing leg.
The Sounders flashed a few more warning shots in the 21st and 22nd minutes as set piece service from Rusnák forced a pair of errors from goalkeeper José Hernández, but Seattle was unable to capitalize.
The home side continued to probe Querétaro’s defense as Gomez set up Rothrock for a free header at the back post in the 31st minute before Musovski forced a diving save out of Hernández in the 34th minute.
That pressure paid off in the 41st minute when Peter Kingston played a picturesque through ball to Rothrock down the left, who squared it to Musovski for a simple finish inside the box and 2-0 lead.
Querétaro re-emerged from the halftime break with renewed energy as Jean Unjunque forced Frei into an impressive save on a powerful effort to the back post in the 58th minute.
The Sounders weathered the storm and regained control of the match with sustained spells of possession and combination play.
Seattle’s dominance on the ball resulted in the decisive goal in the 68th minute as they played through Querétaro's press, culminating in Gomez slipping a pass to Rusnák, who powered his shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
In second half stoppage time, Frei pulled off a wonderful flying save to deny Santiago Homenchenko from the edge of the box.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Cathartic Win
Sunday’s Leagues Cup victory snapped a seven-game losing streak for Seattle. With a slew of marquee matches on the horizon, the team will need to use this performance as a springboard into the second half of the season.
In second half stoppage time, Frei pulled off a wonderful flying save to deny Santiago Homenchenko from the edge of the box.
Hometown Kids
Gomez put in a lively performance all afternoon to compliment the goal and assist in his first start for his boyhood club. Fellow Academy product Rothrock supplied a pair of assists, while Kingston also got on the scoresheet and put in a gritty shift in midfield.
Chivas Awaits