Seattle Sounders stun MLS with 4-goal statement no one saw coming | OneFootball

Seattle Sounders defeated St. Louis CITY SC 4-1 at Lumen Field, showing to be on a solid rhythm in this upward phase of the season. With goals by Albert Rusnák, Obed Vargas, Danny Musovski, and Nouhou, Brian Schmetzer's team proved to be back on the level where one of the most traditional clubs in MLS would be expected to be. Hartel scored from the penalty spot for visitors only.

Pressure from start to finish, not letting St. Louis breathe

Right from the start, Seattle seemed not to want to play games. In the 6th minute, Rusnák forced Ben Lundt into a sweating moment after an excellent pass from Paul Rothrock. Three minutes later, the visitors got their first scoring chance in that Hartel obliged at the edge of the box but was blocked by Yeimar. It was off to a hot fire on this match but it was the Sounders that was calling the shots.

Still, it was St. Louis who took the lead. At the 26th minute, Cedric Teuchert earned a foul inside the box, which the visitor was awarded a penalty. Hartel scored from the spot as the striker slotted the ball into the right side of the net.

Within nine minutes from the end, Sounders were presented with the same task on the other end when Rothrock was fouled in the box. Rusnák equalized via penalty shot powered through the center of the goal.

Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Alex Roldan (16) heads the ball | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Total dominance

In the second half, a powerful three goals sealed the deal for Sounders. The second of the Seattle came in the 61st minute. Vargas had been pushed into the box off a quick passing sequence with Ryan Kent. Then, he took the shot deflected off of a St. Louis defender, slipped past Lundt.

Then, in the 81st minute, the cross from left by Nouhou found Musovski back toward the goal and the native Nevada managed to get enough of turn to hit a ball forward as he scores Seattle Sounders third.

Just when everyone thought the game was to end Nouhou nets the night's final stoppage-time score Kent launches a ball down the left flank to his defender who first-time fires into the back of the net Brian Schmetzer's Seattle Sounders outclass St. Louis CITY SC 4-1 Lumen Field.

Schmetzer values the group and ties MLS coaching record

The win was Schmetzer's 130th regular-season win in his MLS career, placing him tied with Frank Yallop for the 10th-winningest coach in league history. Not surprisingly, however, he was quick to give credit all over the place for the team's success tonight and throughout the season.

"In the locker room, I gave credit to the entire Sounders organization," he said. "It wasn't just the players who started, it was the players who came on. It was the coaching staff. It was the injured guys who were there supporting their teammates. It was everyone involved. This was a good night to be a Seattle Sounders player."

Sounders have come in great form after a slow start to the year. In the last four matches, they won three and drew one. Scoring four goals at home proved to be, without a doubt, their game of the year, good enough to seal a playoff berth in the Western Conference.

With Jordan Morris out until probably as long as six weeks, there's Danny Musovski and his scoring streak, one that puts him in rarefied company with what few others have done for Seattle.

“Musovski just showed up with a lot of poise,” Schmetzer smiled. “The only guys who have scored four goals in four straight games are Jordan Morris, Obafemi Martins, and Fredy Montero. Sorry, Fredy, if you’re watching. He’s really stood out, because those three forwards are very, very good.”