The Seattle Sounders snagged their first shutout since way back on April 4, but let me tell you, it felt like a loss after a brutal 0-0 tie against Red Bull New York on Saturday. This wasn’t some minor hiccup, folks; that draw stretches our winless run to a soul-crushing 11 games in league play. My heart aches for those three points we desperately needed, especially when we were so close to grabbing them.
Offense Went Cold When It Mattered Most
It wasn’t for a lack of trying, which almost makes it worse, right? The Sounders unleashed a whopping 20 shots on goal, forcing Red Bull keeper Ethan Horvath into six big saves. We even hit the woodwork twice! Imagine the collective groan across the Emerald City when one of those shots, fired from 18 yards out by a Sounder player, clanked off the crossbar on the literal final play of the game. So frustrating! And then there were the clear-cut opportunities that didn’t even hit the frame. In the first half, a Sounder player made a great move, broke into the attack, and had Jordan Morris waiting at the back post for what looked like an open chance. But the cross was just a step too hard, a hair behind Morris, and it zipped straight through the box. Later, probably the best chance of the night came to a Sounder player who had an uncontested look at the back post after a deflected cross, only for his sliding attempt to sail high over the bar. We were so, so close. Jordan Morris, who was on a minutes restriction and subbed out at halftime, even flashed some of his old pre-World Cup magic with slick moves and a burst of speed to create a 1v1 in the 42nd minute, but his left-footed shot was saved. We just can’t catch a break in front of goal!
Keeper Steps Up as Playoff Race Heats Up
While the attack struggled, our defense was lights-out, handling what’s usually an explosive Red Bull attack. They limited Red Bull to a mere nine shots, and the Sounders keeper absolutely earned his first shutout in 19 games. He made some huge stops, too. Julian Hall managed to get in on goal in the 73rd minute after some miscommunication, but our keeper stood tall and stopped the 1v1 chance. Then, in second-half stoppage time, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting fired a quick volley that looked destined for the net, only for the Sounders keeper to make a sprawling, game-saving stop. That’s the kind of grit we love to see! It was great to see Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris back in the starting lineup, with Roldan even rocking the captain’s armband. Despite the agony of another draw, we’re somehow still just three points out of a playoff position, and we’ve got a game in hand on most of the teams we’re chasing because other results went our way. It’s a lifeline, Seattle, but we gotta start converting these chances!
Next Saturday, we roll into Carson to visit the LA Galaxy. This isn’t just another game; it’s a chance to finally snap this winless streak and claw our way closer to that playoff spot. We need those three points, badly. Let’s go, Sounders!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Sounder at Heart.
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