Major League Soccer on Monday named Seattle Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz to the MLS Team of the Week for Week 19 following his two-goal display in the Rave Green’s 6-2 drubbing of the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Additionally, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer has been named Coach of the Week, while forward Fredy Montero makes the bench.
It should come as no surprise that the two strikers from a Sounders side that produced six goals on the road in a historic win should garner leaguewide recognition. With both Ruidíaz and Montero each recording a brace, it was the timing and quality of the strikes that make the accomplishment even more impressive.
Montero opened the scoring with a poacher’s finish in the 13th minute before doubling the lead in the 29th minute with a picturesque, curled shot from distance. Portland equalized at 2-2 minutes into the second half, only for Ruidíaz to produce a moment of magic from a free kick and an instinctive finish off a rebound to put the game to bed at 4-2.
Substitutes Jimmy Medranda and Nicolas Benezet – who was making his Sounders debut – rounded out the scoring, a nod to Schmetzer’s impressive in-game adjustments on the sidelines.
The Seattle Sounders return to action in midweek as they visit FC Dallas (5:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday evening.
