Fresh off their appearance in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the Seattle Sounders returned to Major League Soccer action on Saturday at Lumen Field in a 2-0 win over Austin FC. Jesús Ferreira and Danny Musovski scored on either side of halftime to secure three points.
The Sounders’ first crack at goal came in the 11th minute when Musovski beat his man on the left side of the box and looked to sneak his shot in at the near post, but it was saved off the post by goalkeeper Brad Stuver. Austin’s subsequent attempted clearance also hit the near post.
Musovski had another opportunity in the 33rd minute on the right side, but his attempt missed wide.
Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei made his first save a minute later when Brandon Vazquez had a half-chance on goal that was right at Frei.
Seattle found the breakthrough on the brink of halftime when Paul Rothrock was sprung on a counterattack down the left wing. He beat his man to the end line before floating a ball to the back post for a waiting Ferreira, who did well to volley the cross into the net from close range for his second goal of the season.
The Sounders doubled their lead in the 54th minute when Musovski capitalized on another moment in transition. Ferreira played a brilliant pass to Musovski to send him on a counterattack, and he created space on the right side of the box before sliding a shot across his body to the back post that snuck into the far corner.
Obed Vargas led another counterattack in the 63rd minute before pulling up for a shot himself from 25 yards out that just missed wide of the right post.
Ferreira had a great chance for a second in the 68th minute when Ryan Kent skated down the left wing and dropped a pass to Ferreira at the six-yard box, but he couldn’t quite control it.
Jackson Ragen forced Stuver into a save in the 72nd minute when the big center back got forward in attack and headed a cross on goal.
The only sour note on the evening for Seattle came in the 89th minute when left back Reed Baker-Whiting received his second yellow card and was sent off, forcing the Sounders to see out the match with 10 men.
Seattle finished the evening in fifth place in the West with 29 points from 19 matches.
The Sounders will be back in action at Lumen Field again next weekend, hosting the Eastern Conference’s Columbus Crew SC on Sunday, July 6, at 2 p.m. PT (Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Ferreira shines
Ferreira marked the Sounders’ return to MLS play in a big way with a goal and an assist. It was the former FC Dallas man’s second goal and sixth assist of the year, the latter of which is tied with Cristian Roldan for the team lead.
Frei nearing more history
Frei made just one save on the night, his 999th of his illustrious Sounders career. The veteran, who’s second all-time in MLS in career clean sheets, added another one, recording his 113th shutout.
Roldan at CB
With center backs Yeimar, Kim Kee-hee and Stuart Hawkins injured and Jon Bell serving a one-match suspension for a red card in his last MLS match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer was forced to start Alex Roldan out of position from his normal right fullback spot. Roldan stepped up and filled the role admirably, partnering with Ragen to help keep a clean sheet.
