Seattle’s 11 shots produce a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake

Seattle strike twice after the break

Seattle Sounders defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 at Lumen Field in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season - 7 on Thursday, September 24. The result gives Seattle the win after a match in which both teams produced 12 shots, but the home side made more of its efforts on target.

The first half ended goalless, with Seattle receiving yellow cards for Kalani Kossa-Rienzi in the 10th minute and Paul Arriola in the 41st. Seattle made two changes at half-time, sending on stuar hawkins for Alexander Roldan and Peter Kingston for Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. The adjustment was followed quickly by the opening goal.

Daniel Musovski put Seattle ahead in the 48th minute, finishing a move assisted by Arriola. Musovski’s evening ended in the 63rd minute when Jordan Morris replaced him. Seattle then doubled its advantage in the 73rd minute, with Albert Rusnák scoring from another Arriola assist. Rusnák completed 90 minutes and provided the decisive second goal.

Seattle held the edge in efficiency

The statistics show a relatively balanced contest rather than complete Seattle control. Real Salt Lake attempted 12 shots to Seattle’s 11 and had five shots from outside the box, compared with four for the hosts. However, Seattle led 4-2 in shots on goal and 7-6 in shots inside the box. Real Salt Lake also recorded six shots off target, while Seattle had four.

Seattle had 53% possession and completed 466 passes from 553 attempts, compared with Real Salt Lake’s 405 accurate passes from 485. The hosts also won the corner count 7-6 and were caught offside less often, with no offsides against two for Real Salt Lake. Both goalkeepers made two saves, while neither side received a red card.

Arriola and Rusnák lead the ratings

Rusnák and Arriola shared the highest match rating at 8.2. Rusnák added five key passes to his goal, while Arriola supplied both assists, recorded one shot on target, two key passes and one tackle in 82 minutes. N. Tolo also completed 90 minutes with three tackles and a 7.7 rating.

Discipline remained a feature after the interval. Peter Kingston and Snyder Brunell were booked for Seattle in the 50th and 55th minutes, while Kobi Henry and DeAndre Yedlin received Real Salt Lake’s two yellow cards. Snyder Brunell later made way for Hassani Dotson, and Real Salt Lake introduced Saba Lobjanidze and Taylor Booth in the second half.

Three points widen the gap between the teams

Before kick-off, Seattle were 13th in the Western Conference with 29 points from 24 games, while Real Salt Lake were 12th with 29 points from 25. Seattle’s victory takes its points total to 32, while Real Salt Lake remain on 29. The listed pre-match form showed Seattle beginning with a win in its most recent sequence and Real Salt Lake with a loss; this result adds another positive result for Seattle and another defeat for Real Salt Lake.