REUNION, FL – Seattle Sounders FC dealt a crucial blow to Vancouver Whitecaps FC's MLS is Back Tournament hopes on Sunday evening with a 3-0 victory at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The ‘Caps round out their Group B schedule on Thursday morning against Chicago Fire FC, July 23. Kickoff is at 6 a.m. live on TSN and TSN Radio 1040. The 'Caps will need a win against Fire FC, as well as other results across the tournament to go their way, in order to advance. Also up for grabs are points that count toward the 2020 MLS regular season standings.
Despite winning the possession battle in the opening frame, the ‘Caps went down 2-0 at halftime thanks in large part to Jordan Morris’ strong performance for the Sounders. First, it was the winger’s shot making contact with Jasser Khmiri’s hand inside the box to earn Nicolas Lodeiro a penalty kick in the 16th minute. Then in the 34th minute, Morris was at it again, this time finding the net off a turnover at midfield.
Seattle added another score early in the second half, when Raul Ruidiaz provided the finishing touch on a corner kick for the final 3-0 score.
Already undermanned entering the tournament, the young ‘Caps suffered another loss before the hour mark when goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau had to be subbed off due to a left-hand injury. 21-year old Homegrown product Thomas Hasal came on to make his MLS debut, providing a highlight when he stopped Ruidiaz and Lodeiro moments after entering the match.
Left back Cristián Gutiérrez also came off the ‘Caps bench to make his MLS appearance.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Scoring Summary
16’ – SEA – Nicolas Lodeiro (penalty kick)
34’ – SEA – Jordan Morris (Nicolas Lodeiro)
51’ – SEA – Raul Ruidiaz (Jordan Morris, Handwalla Bwana)
Statistics
Possession: SEA 48.0% – VAN 52.0%
Shots: SEA 17 – VAN 8
Shots on Goal: SEA 7 – VAN 2
Saves: SEA 2 – VAN 4
Fouls: SEA 13 – VAN 7
Offsides: SEA 1 – VAN 0
Corners: SEA 8 – VAN 4
Cautions
16’ – VAN – Jasser Khmiri
30’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna
40 – SEA – Kelvin Leerdam
Seattle Sounders FC
24.Stefan Frei, 18.Kelvin Leerdam (16.Alex Roldan 67’), 27.Shane O’Neill, 3.Xavier Arreaga (8.Jordy Delem 68’), 5.Nouhou Tolo; 4.Gustav Svennson (84.Joshua Atencio 90’), 7.Cristian Roldan; 70.Handwalla Bwana (37.Shandon Hopeau 79’), 10.Nicolas Lodeiro ©, 13.Jordan Morris (75.Danny Leyva 79’); 9.Raul Ruidiaz
Substitutes not used
1.Trey Muse, 30.Stefan Cleveland, 11.Miguel Ibarra, 45.Ethan Dobbelaere, 99.Justin Dhillon
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau (51.Thomas Hasal 58’); 28.Jake Nerwinski, 20.Jasser Khmiri (3.Cristián Gutiérrez 73’), 4.Ranko Veselinović, 53.Ali Adnan (13.Derek Cornelius 73’); 7.David Milinković (14.Theo Bair 55’), 17.Leonard Owusu (27.Ryan Raposo 55’), 6.Inbeom Hwang, 31.Russell Teibert ©; 11.Cristian Dájome, 29.Yordy Reyna
Substitutes not used
32.Patrick Metcalfe, 54.Simon Colyn, 55.Michael Baldisimo, 62.Damiano Pecile