Sounders FC Drops Heartbreaker on the Road to Orlando City SC
September 1, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Seattle Sounders FC (10-15-3, 33 points) concluded a three-match road stretch with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Orlando City SC (12-10-6, 42 points) on Wednesday evening at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, with the home team’s game-winning goal being confirmed by video review after initially being whistled offside in second-half stoppage time. With the result, Seattle remains in 10th place in the Western Conference, with six games remaining in the 2022 regular season.
Albert Rusnák got Seattle on the scoreboard first in stunning fashion. After the visiting side drew a foul just outside the area, the Slovakian international smashed the ensuing free kick into the top left corner of the net to take the lead in the 26th minute. It was Rusnák’s third goal of the regular season.
Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei came up with a big save in the 32nd minute, denying a penalty by Orlando’s Mauricio Pereira after Sounders FC defender Jimmy Medranda was whistled for a foul inside the 18-yard box.
Ruidíaz doubled the Rave Green’s lead early in the second half, as Nicolás Lodeiro fed a ball to Jordan Morris that sent the Mercer Island native streaking down the right flank. Morris then played a ball into Ruidíaz right in front of goal that took a deflection before the Peruvian hit the ball into the roof of the net in the 52nd minute. It was Ruidíaz’s seventh goal of the regular season, tying him for the team lead with Morris.
Orlando quickly pulled one back in the 53rd minute courtesy of substitute Facundo Torres. The Uruguayan took a pass right at the edge of the area and bagged a goal from distance to halve the home side’s deficit. Orlando then leveled the score in the 69th minute, this time converting a penalty. Morris was whistled for a handball inside the area on a corner kick, and Orlando’s Ercan Kara was able to score the ensuing spot-kick to level the score.
The two clubs played toward what appeared an imminent draw, but Kyle Smith banged in the eventual game-winner in second-half stoppage time. The goal was initially whistled offside, but after video review it was allowed to stand, resulting in the victory for Orlando City.
Sounders FC now returns home to Seattle face Houston Dynamo FC on Sunday, September 4 at Lumen Field (6:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Prime Video, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
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