MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 0 vs. Philadelphia Union 1
Goal-scorers: C.J. Sapong (69’)
Site: PPL Park
Man of the Match: Despite the ending result, Stefan Frei kept Sounders FC in the game with several diving saves and clearances throughout Wednesday’s contest. His best save of the night came late in the first half, when the Seattle goalkeeper stopped Maurice Edu’s penalty kick by guessing correctly and pouncing on the rebound. Frei remains atop the MLS leaderboard in saves (63), shutouts (eight) and wins (nine).
Telling Stat: After mustering three shots on target in Saturday’s loss to San Jose, the Rave Green managed to get just two of them against Philadelphia. Seattle was without four players that have started at least 10 matches this year, while Andy Rose and Tyrone Mears were unused substitutes.
What You Missed: With so many of the club’s regular starters unavailable due to injury, three young Sounders made their first career MLS starts on Wednesday. Playing centerback with Zach Scott was second-year defender Jimmy Ockford, a native of the Philadelphia area. Second-year midfielder Aaron Kovar started on the left wing, while rookie Oniel Fisher played the full 90 minutes at right back.
So What: Halfway through its MLS regular-season schedule, Sounders FC is atop the Western Conference standings and leads the league in goal differential (nine). The club is back in action on Sunday for its second regular-season game against the Portland Timbers. The first ended in a 1-0 victory for the Sounders, who are in first place of the Cascadia Cup standings with wins from both of their first two matches.
