What a way to celebrate your birthday.
New Seattle Sounders Designated Player Raúl Ruidíaz turned 28 years old on Wednesday and commemorated the moment with his first Major League Soccer goal. He made his first MLS start against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium and led the Sounders to a 1-0 win, pushing their unbeaten run to five matches.
“[I feel] an incredible happiness,” Ruidíaz said. “The most important thing is the team got three points.”
In the 62nd minute, Cristian Roldan led a counterattack down the right side. In a match that had lacked any real significant opportunities for both sides, the Sounders broke the deadlock when Ruidíaz took Roldan’s pass off his chest and in one motion hit a half-volley from the top of the box to the far post that beat a helpless Andrew Tarbell in net.
“Thank God, I feel really good,” said Ruidíaz. “I’ve been working hard and I’m ready to go.”
Ruidíaz played 29 minutes in his debut last weekend and went 66 minutes on Wednesday as Head Coach Brian Schmetzer continues to his increase his Peruvian forward’s playing time while he works toward 90-minute fitness.
“Those were [Schmetzer’s] decisions [to limit my minutes], and he knows what he needs to do,” Ruidíaz said. “I respect whatever decisions he makes.”
