Raúl Ruidíaz is a force to be reckoned with in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Ruidíaz, who joined the Sounders midway through the 2018 regular season, has been one of the most lethal goal-scorers in Major League Soccer in recent seasons. A two-time golden boot winner in Liga MX, he quickly garnered a reputation as one of the most prolific players in the league with match-winning performances that propelled the Sounders to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
During his first jaunt in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2018, Ruidíaz bagged three goals in two games, including an absolute sidewinder of a volley that forced extra time and, eventually, penalty kicks in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Ruidíaz’s world-beating displays in 2018 were no flash in the pan. Somehow, he managed raise his game even more the following postseason as he logged an astounding four goals and four assists from four matches en route to the Sounders winning the 2019 MLS Cup.
Despite missing several matches due to injury and international duty in 2020, Ruidíaz has maintained his high-volume production in front of goal, finishing tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot race with 12 goals and four assists from just under 1,500 minutes.
With over 50 combined goals and assists across the MLS regular season and postseason, Ruídiaz has proven himself to be one of the most influential attacking players in the league. In fact, the Sounders are unbeaten in the 2020 MLS regular season when he scores, posting an 8-0-2 record.
As he’s proven time and again throughout his tenure in the Pacific Northwest, Ruidíaz is simply wired for matches on the biggest stage. If he can maintain his otherworldly form in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the Sounders will be poised for a fourth trip to the final in five seasons.
That journey begins on November 24 as the Sounders host LAFC (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) at CenturyLink Field.
