Seattle Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz has been a human goal machine since he joined the Rave Green in summer 2018. The Peruvian Designated Player is quickly climbing the Sounders’ all-time statistics leaderboard and is on pace to shatter the club’s goalscoring record.
After a third consecutive season with double-digit goals and earning his first MLS Best XI honor, let’s take a look at five of Ruidíaz’s craziest Sounders stats.
Fastest to 30 goals in club history
Ruidíaz has 33 career MLS goals, which is already tied for fifth all time in club history. He also became the fastest to hit 30 goals, doing so in only 49 matches. He bested Obafemi Martins, who previously held the record, by eight matches.
Sixth in MLS in goals since his arrival
Since Ruidíaz signed from Liga MX’s Morelia on June 29, 2018, only five players in MLS have scored more goals. He is behind only LAFC’s Carlos Vela (45), former LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (45), Atlanta United’s Josef Martínez (44), LAFC’s Diego Rossi (37) and Columbus Crew SC’s Gyasi Zardes (34).
Highest Goals per 90 minutes ratio in club history
It’s not just that Ruidíaz is scoring in bunches, he’s doing so with incredible efficiency. He is first in Sounders history with a 0.69 G/90 mark, edging Martins’ previous mark of 0.61. Former Seattle legends Clint Dempsey and Fredy Montero, who are tied for first in club history with 47 goals, finished their Sounders careers with a 0.46 G/90 and 0.45 G/90 line, respectively.
Highest Goals per 90 minutes ratio in MLS postseason history
One part of Ruidíaz’s game that Head Coach Brian Schmetzer raves about is the timing of Ruidíaz’s goals. He reaches another gear in the biggest of moments. He is the best G/90 goalscorer in MLS postseason history with a 0.84 ratio. Add in his six assists, and his goal contributions are an otherworldly 1.41 G+A/90.
Club record for goals in consecutive matches
Ruidíaz also owns the Sounders’ record for goals in consecutive matches, including postseason. From Sept. 29, 2018 – March 16, 2019, Ruidíaz scored in eight straight games, notching 11 total goals in that span.
