RECAP: Red Bulls Stifled, Silenced by Seattle Sounders FC, 1-0

photo by Matt Kremkau

One shot. 

One goal. 

Once again, the Red Bulls found themselves on the other side of a 1-0 loss.

The opening goal came in the 22nd minute when Sounders' right-winger Jordan Morris found the back of the net. Morris and Leon Chu executed a brilliant cross, allowing Morris to tap the ball in from close range. Unfortunately, during the celebration, Morris sustained an injury and was subsequently substituted by Dylan Teves just three minutes later.

The Red Bulls had an opportunity to equalize in stoppage time when they earned a set piece following a foul by Sounders midfielder João Paulo. Cristian Cásseres Jr. delivered a great ball to Hassan Ndam, who attempted a header to level the score. However, Ndam's effort was too high and drifted wide of the target, leaving the Red Bulls frustrated.

The Sounders came close to doubling their lead early in the second half, specifically in the 46th minute. Alex Roldan provided a precise cross into the box, finding Nicolás Lodeiro in a prime position. However, Lodeiro's shot went over the net, much to the disappointment of the crowd.

Seattle had another chance just two minutes later when Héber received a pass from Albert Rusnák. However, Héber's shot failed to find the target, adding to the growing frustration amongst the Sounders' supporters.

The Red Bulls had a golden opportunity in the 66th minute as Elias Manoel received a long ball from Cristian Cásseres Jr. Manoel found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat but was denied by Stefan Frei's impressive save with his left hand, preventing the ball from finding the back of the net.

In the 75th minute, Seattle midfielder João Paulo received his second yellow card for a bad foul on Luquinhas and was subsequently sent off, reducing the Sounders to 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Despite the Red Bulls' efforts to find an equalizer, the Seattle defense held firm, thwarting every attack. Troy Lesense's team struggled and stumbled in the game's closing stages, unable to find the breakthrough they desperately needed. The final whistle marked the end of a frustrating evening for the Red Bulls in the Emerald City.

Despite the loss, the good news is that they will have very little time to commiserate as they must pack up and head over to the sunny climates of Ft. Lauderdale as they take on C.F. Inter Miami for a midweek clash before heading back home to face Orlando City SC on Saturday night.

Scoring Summary:

22' - Seattle Sounders FC - Jordan Morris (Assisted by Léon Chú)

Disciplinary Summary:

9' - New York Red Bulls - Tom Barlow - Yellow Card

26' - New York Red Bulls - Dru Yearwood - Yellow Card

45+1' - Seattle Sounders FC - João Paulo - Yellow Card

55' - Seattle Sounders FC - Cody Baker - Yellow Card

75' - Seattle Sounders FC - João Paulo - Second Yellow Card/Red Card 

83' - Seattle Sounders FC - Jackson Ragen - Yellow Card

90+1' New York Red Bulls - Hassan Ndam - Yellow Card

Starting Lineups and Substitutions:

Seattle Sounders FC: Stefan Frei, Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gomez, Jackson Ragen, Cody Baker, João Paulo, Albert Rusnak, Jordan Morris (22') (Dylan Teves 25'), Nicolás Lodeiro (Nouhou Tolo 86'), Léon Chú (Xavier Arreaga 78'), Heber (Joshua Atencio 78')

New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, John Tolkin, Sean Nealis, Hassan Ndam, Dylan Nealis (O'Vonte Mullings 64'), Cristian Cásseres Jr., Peter Stroud, Tom Barlow (Luquinhas 64'), Dru Yearwood (Elias Manoel '45), Cameron Harper, Dante Vanzeir (Wikelman Carmona '45)