The Seattle Sounders earned a long-awaited first Leagues Cup victory, a 2-0 win against Minnesota United FC on Friday night at Lumen Field, after going winless in the 2023 edition.
Both offenses were off to the races early as Pedro de la Vega struck a header in the box in the 4th minute but couldn’t get the touch he would’ve liked.
Albert Rusnák had a go in the 11th but Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was there for the first of several stops during the night.
Minnesota’s Bongokuhle Hlongwane had a header towards goal in the 25th minute, but hit the wrong side of the crossbar as the match continued scoreless.
De la Vega struck from outside the box in the 56th minute as the offense picked up in the second half.
Joseph Rosales had a promising look from outside the box in the 63rd minute but its was just over the crossbar to spare Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas.
Hassani Dotson received a red card in the 65th minute, leaving Minnesota United with 10 men for the final stretch.
Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi nearly had the Loons in front in the 72 minute, but Thomas was there to deny the visitors.
St. Clair turned away another Sounders attempt in the 80th minute by pushing away a hit from distance from Danny Leyva.
Jordan Morris broke through for the match-winning goal in the 87th minute with a slide in front of goal to connect with a service from Paul Rothrock.
The Sounders were awarded a penalty in second-half stoppage time after Cristian Roldan was fouled in the box by Samuel Shashoua. Rusnák was denied from the penalty spot by St. Clair, keeping Minnesota’s hopes of leaving with a draw alive.
Rothrock sealed the victory with the Sounders’ second in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. The assist came from Morris, who returned the favor to his fellow Sounders Academy alumni.
St. Clair ended the day with nine saves while Thomas had four to his name.
Minnesota United returns to the Twin Cities, where it will host LIGA MX side Necaxa on Tuesday as the action resumes in the West 6 group. The Sounders will retake the field on Sunday, August 4, for its own encounter with the Mexican club.
