The Seattle Sounders ran their unbeaten streak to six matches at CenturyLink Field Sunday, serving up a 3-1 win over New York City FC while busting that club’s four-match win streak. Cristian Roldan and Gustav Svensson each tallied their second goal of the season in front of an announced home crowd of 39,528.
Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said his players’ dedication sparked the recent turnaround.
“I attribute it to the individuals that are sitting in that locker room,” Schmetzer said. “They are a proud bunch of guys. It’s pro sports; there are a lot of things that go into winning championships, going to two MLS cups. There’s all of the stuff, the injuries, the World Cup year, all that sort of stuff. Without a doubt, that group never gives up. They always compete. All of them. That’s what makes my job so much easier when you have guys that are committed to winning. All the credit goes to them.”
The Sounders took the lead in the 36th minute when Roldan snuck to the right side of the field off the backs of New York City’s back line and received a pass from Kelvin Leerdam. Roldan turned and fired, powering the ball past keeper Sean Johnson despite Johnson getting a hand to the ball.
The Sounders added to their lead shortly after halftime. After working the ball into the penalty area, Lodeiro hit a backpass to Gustav Svensson, who hammered in a low shot from 26 yards out, beating Johnson to the left side for Svensson’s second goal of the season.
New York City pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Jesus Medina polished off a low cross into the six from Jo Inge Berget from the right alley after Seattle turned the ball over in the defensive third.
Harry Shipp drove in the dagger in the 86th minute, blasting an effort to the near post after picking up a cutback pass from substitute Will Bruin inside the penalty area. The strike was crucial for Shipp, who has bounced between the starting 11 and the bench for Seattle this season.
“I think for me, I was always someone that was willing to do whatever it took to be out on the field,” Shipp said. “I thought about, when I wasn’t playing, ‘What do I need to do to get back on the field and what I can I do to help this team win games?’ For me, it was thinking about what I can do off the ball and maybe not have 100 touches a game but be effective when I do have the ball. Right now, I’m confident, but every game is different in terms of what the team needs to win. What I’m proud of is, ever since I’ve been playing, we’ve been winning games. For me, that’s what I take pride in. It’s not the goals, it’s not the assists, it’s winning games.”
New York City held the lion’s share of the possession, controlling the ball for 58.3 percent of the match. Despite being outshot 19-14, Seattle had the better shot selection, with five shots on goal while they blocked eight of New York City’s.
The Sounders have taken 14 points from their last six matches, lifting them to a 7-9-5 record. NYCFC’s league road struggles continued, dropping the club to 3-5-3 in away contests in 2018. The club remains in second in the Eastern Conference, however, thanks to a 10-0-1 record at home.
“It’s just fine tuning and training. Our training sessions are good. [Performance director Damian Roden] has done a good job of coming here and getting us physically better for our matches. I think it’s a matter of us just maintaining and maybe poking here or there, prodding a little here and making sure the guys are ready to perform on any given day.”