Seattle Sounders FC (17-6-7, 58 points) earned a road point Wednesday evening against the Colorado Rapids (14-6-10, 52 points), securing a top-four seed in the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and a home postseason match. Cristian Roldan scored his sixth goal of the season in a 1-1 result with third-place Colorado, who also clinched a playoff spot after tonight’s match.
After over an hour of scoreless play, Dominique Badji put the home side up in the 66th minute, converting a near-post header on a Jack Price corner kick. Roldan equalized 15 minutes later on an assist from Léo Chú, giving him five goals in his last six appearances for Sounders FC (all competitions). After receiving a long pass behind the Colorado defense, Chú held off two defenders to maintain possession all the way to the touchline before sending a low cross that found Roldan for a tap-in. It marked the first MLS regular-season assist for the Brazilian, who joined Sounders FC from Grêmio in July.
Brian Schmetzer’s side returns home this Saturday, October 23 for a pivotal matchup with second-place Sporting Kansas City at Lumen Field (12:30 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, TUDN, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH NOTES
- Seattle maintains its first-place standing in the Western Conference with 58 points (17-6-7), six points clear of Sporting Kansas City and Colorado with four games remaining in its 2021 regular-season campaign. Sounders FC and Sporting face off at Lumen Field on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PT.
- By clinching a top-four seed in the Western Conference tonight, Seattle has finished fourth or higher in the Western Conference standings every season since joining MLS in 2009.
- Sounders FC is now 19-7-4 all-time against the Rapids in regular-season play, including a 7-5-3 mark on the road.
- Cristian Roldan scored his sixth MLS goal of the season, matching his career high set in 2019 and 2017. He has found the net in five of his last six appearances for Sounders FC (all competitions).
- Léo Chú recorded his first MLS regular-season assist on Roldan’s equalizer. The Brazilian, who joined Sounders FC in July from Grêmio, has six substitute appearances with the Rave Green (all competitions) and scored his first goal with the club against Vancouver on October 9.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Colorado Rapids 1
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistants: Frank Anderson, Jeremy Hanson
Fourth Official: Matthew Corrigan
VAR: Jair Marrufo
Attendance: 9,316
Weather: 51 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
COL – Dominique Badji (Jack Price) 66’
SEA – Cristian Roldan (Léo Chú) 81’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Jimmy Medranda (caution) 63’
SEA – Shane O’Neill (caution) 83'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou, Jimmy Medranda (Léo Chú 75’); João Paulo, Josh Atencio (Kelyn Rowe 69’), Cristian Roldan, Nico Benezet (Will Bruin 69’); Fredy Montero (Shane O’Neill 83’)
Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Ethan Dobbelaere, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Danny Leyva
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 7
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 0
Saves: 0
Colorado Rapids – William Yarbrough; Keegan Rosenberry (Lucas Esteves 68’), Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty; Michael Barrios, Mark-Anthony Kaye (Nicolas Mezquida 88’), Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta; Jonathan Lewis (Braian Galvan 86’), Dominique Badji, Andre Shinyashiki (Cole Bassett 68’)
Substitutes not used: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Lalas Abubakar, Collen Warner, Steven Beitashour
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 12
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 3
