To say that Raúl Ruidíaz helped shape the history of the Seattle Sounders is an understatement.
The Peruvian forward’s clutch scoring and killer mentality were cornerstones of an unprecedented era of success for the club. Without Ruidíaz, the Sounders might not have won their second MLS Cup title, two Western Conference trophies, and the historic Concacaf Champions League victory in 2022.
The club’s all-time scorer with 86 goals, Ruidíaz will go down as one of the greatest players to ever wear Rave Green.
“[I] feel happy and proud,” said Ruidíaz. “I have loved this jersey since the day I put it on… I focused on giving it a lot of joy, working on and off the field.”
The Sounders and Ruidíaz were a perfect pairing. The expectation for his next move following his time in Liga MX with Monarcas Morelia was to “win titles.” The Sounders were able to provide a platform for him to accomplish exactly that.
“I remember when I was presented with the opportunity to come to Seattle. I did my research and saw that it was a team that was competing for tournaments every year and it really caught my attention,” he said.
Ruidíaz made the decision to join the Rave Green in the summer of 2018. The Peruvian international spent seven seasons with the club, serving as a lethal No. 9 in the Sounders’ attack. Along with the banners he helped raise, Ruidíaz has collected five Golden Boot titles with the club, ranks No. 1 in game winning goals in regular season and postseason competition (24), and is tied with teammate Jordan Morris for most playoff goals (9).
One of his most notable contributions came in the 2019 MLS Cup Final when he notched the third goal in the team’s 3-1 victory over Toronto FC. In the last two minutes of the match, the striker found himself on a breakaway, to where he proceeded to loft the ball over the head of Toronto keeper Quentin Westberg and into the back of the net.
Lumen Field erupted as Ruidíaz wheeled away in celebration, basking in the moment as he sealed a second MLS Cup title for the city.
“Gustaf [Svensson’s] pass was actually a clearance and I scored the third goal and we practically closed the game,” he said, recalling the moment.
It was his brace against Liga MX’s Pumas in the 2022 Concacaf final, however, that felt like a dream come true.
“That was incredible,” said Ruidíaz. “Something I dreamed of, then fulfilled, to win such an important tournament.”
Beyond his lucrative goal-scoring stats, his influence was seen through his constant support toward his teammates.
“I feel we have a responsibility, the more experienced players, to be able to talk to the younger ones,” he said. “I think just by telling a couple pieces of advice or simply making them feel a part of the group, it’s very important to them. I want them to achieve their dreams and I want to [show them] that the most important thing is to believe in themselves.”
Ruidíaz’s experience at the Sounders is one he will never forget. Upon his arrival in Seattle and up until his very last match with the organization, his teammates, along with the team/coaching staff created a space for him to thrive as both a player and a person.
“I would like to thank Ozzie Alonso because he welcomed me in 2018, when I arrived. Thank you to Nico Lodeiro, Victor Rodriguez, and to all of those who, in all this time, have been a part of my career and my stay. Yeimar, Danny Leyva, Paul [Rothrock], Pedrito [De la Vega], Jordan, Cristian [Roldan], João [Paulo], Leo [Chú]. Stuart [Hawkins]…all the kids. The truth is I had a great time with all of you.”
The fans in particular, made his time at the club a memorable one.
“The fans here, to me, are spectacular. They are the best,” said Ruidíaz. “They supported me from day one to the last day. I will always be grateful for them. They have my heart.”
From the moment he began his research on the club prior to his 2018 contract, Ruidíaz knew Seattle was home.
“You can’t imagine what Seattle is for us, for my family,” he said. “We are very grateful to the city. It is a beautiful city, the people are amazing [and] respectful.”
To come to a club like the Seattle Sounders and build a historic career as Ruidíaz did, is something every player aspires to do. He feels forever indebted for the opportunity given to him by individuals such as Majority Owner Adrian Hanauer and Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.
“Thank you for having confidence in me…Thank you for everything,” he said. “I hope [to be remembered] as a person, as a player who gave his all for the club.”
