Raul Ruidiaz and Brad Smith grabbed a quick fire double twenty minutes into the first half to settle any nerves Seattle Sounders fans may have had, giving them a 2-0 advantage that LA Galaxy failed to respond to. Ruidiaz scored in added time at the end of the season half to ensure the Sounders’ unbeaten start to the season continued and the Galaxy’s first defeat was inflicted on them.

  • Story of the match 

Seattle took the lead on the 20 minute mark through an in-form pair of players. Brad Smith crossed into the area for Ruidiaz to volley home, giving the Sounders a 1-0 lead. Ruidiaz had come close to scoring last week against LAFC, and this time against the Galaxy he registered his third of the season in as many games.

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Soon after, it was 2-0. Smith made a great run that wasn’t seen at first, but Will Bruin found the in-form Cristian Roldan, who whipped in from the right hand side. Smith shot goalwards, but the effort was saved by Jonathan Bond - only for Smith to react the quickest, and slam the ball home. After not scoring for three years, Brad Smith made it two in as many weeks - and ironically both goals have come  against LA opposition.

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The Sounders had Stefan Frei to thank soon after, denying Grandsir in the area to keep the score at 2-0. The following corner kick, however, came to nothing - and the Sounders went into half time with a two goal cushion. 

Half time: Sounders 2-0 Galaxy

The Galaxy - as expected - pushed at the start of the season half for a goal that would halve the arrears. Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez had a superb chance after the ball was floated into the area, but the diminutive Mexican’s shot went wide. 

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Ruidiaz took advantage of some hesitation the the Galaxy back line and managed to shrug off a challenge before Nicholas Loderio had a shot that was saved by the LA Galaxy goalkeeper Bond. The ball stayed in play and Lodiero again tested Bond, who tipped the ball behind for a corner. 

Kellan Rowe almost added a third on 80 minutes, with his header crashing off the bar and onto the line before Bond clutched the ball safely to his chest. In stoppage time though, Seattle did get their third. Jimmy Medranda ran onto a ball in behind and crossed for Ruidiaz, who tapped home his second of the game and fourth of the season to ensure the Sounders ended the Galaxy’s excellent start to the season.

  • Takeaways from the match 


Sounders end the Galaxy’s run

After the Galaxy had won both of their first two fixtures, it was a chance for them to make a big statement against the Sounders, who are considered to be one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference. It wasn’t to be, however, as the Sounders demonstrated how to put the game out of the opponent’s reach quickly in the opening 25 minutes. 

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  • Stand-out players 

Brad Smith, Ruidiaz and Cristian Roldan all continued to impress, with all three involved in the first two goals in some way. Smith crossed for Ruidiaz for the first, and Roldan for Smith for the second. Sounders fans will be hoping that the purple patch they’ve hit - matching their purple Jimi Hendrix inspired shirts on show for the first time - continues over the coming weeks and months.

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