SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC (13-10-5, 44 points) lost in heartbreaking fashion in midweek action at CenturyLink Field, as the Philadelphia Union (13-12-4, 43 points) stole a last-gasp winning goal in second-half stoppage time to claim a 1-0 result in the Emerald City. Despite going down to 10 men in the 89th minute, the Union countered a pressing Sounders FC, with midfielder Fafa Picault bagging the winner just before the final whistle. Tonight's result halts Seattle's single-season MLS record of nine straight wins in the post-shootout era (since 2000), while also disrupting the club's current 12-match unbeaten run. Prior to Wednesday's match, Seattle had not lost since June 30. Combined with results elsewhere across Major League Soccer on Wednesday evening, Seattle now occupies the sixth and final postseason position in the Western Conference, four points ahead of seventh-place Vancouver and three points behind third-place Los Angeles FC.
Sounders FC controlled much of the game in the opening period, with off-the-post efforts from both Raúl RuidÃaz and Victor RodrÃguez, with Seattle barely missing on establishing an early lead on both attempts. For RodrÃguez, the start marked his first appearance in Brian Schmetzer's starting lineup since July 21, with the Spaniard recently returning from a hamstring injury as a substitute last weekend in Vancouver. Despite not getting on the board, Seattle maintained a 63.3 percent possession advantage in the first half, in addition to advantages in duels won (53.5 percent) and passing accuracy (86.3 percent to Philadelphia's 74.6 percent).
Philadelphia looked to have gained the upper hand in the 65th minute of play through forward Cory Burke, but after video review, referee Ismail Elfath ruled that the Union striker was actually offside. With the game continuing to be deadlocked, the match reached its crescendo in the 89th minute, when Philadelphia's Jack Elliott was sent off for accumulating his second yellow card of the night. As Seattle continued to push forward for chances to win the match, the Union countered, and a misplayed pass from Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei resulted in a clean look at goal for Picault. Despite the man-disadvantage, Philadelphia held on for the victory, moving Seattle's all-time record against the Union to 4-5-2 in MLS play.
Seattle resumes Western Conference action to close out the week, with the Rave Green heading down to Southern California for a key showdown with the LA Galaxy on Sunday, September 23. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PT, with national television coverage being provided by FS1. LA currently trails Seattle in the postseason race by six points, with Sounders FC holding a game in hand. Seattle previously hosted the Galaxy at CenturyLink Field on August 18, a 5-0 win for the home side.
MATCH NOTES
- Sounders FC is now 13-10-5 on the season, and currently sits above the red line at sixth in the Western Conference with 44 points. Brian Schmetzer's side is currently one point behind fifth-place Real Salt Lake and four points ahead of seventh-place Vancouver.
- With six matches remaining in the 2018 regular season, Seattle still sits just seven points out of first place in the West.
- Sounders FC sees its league-record winning streak snapped at nine, the longest run in a single season and tied with Sporting Kansas City for the overall league mark (including runs that spanned two seasons) in the post-shootout era (since 2000). Including shootout era results, Seattle and Sporting KC are tied for the most consecutive victories in regulation (not aided by a penalty shootout).
- The result ends Seattle's unbeaten streak at 12 games (10-0-2), dating back to July 4 at Colorado. The run was the longest spell without a loss this season, and is the club's second-longest unbeaten streak in club history. The longest unbeaten streak in club history is 13 games (6-0-7) from June 21-September 23 of last season.
- The Rave Green also saw its home winning streak snapped at five, one shy of the club record set twice (July 28-Septermber 13, 2013 and April 26-July 13, 2014). On the season, Seattle is now 7-5-2 at CenturyLink Field, earning 23 of its 44 points at home. The club has three home matches remaining in 2018.
- Sounders FC is now 4-5-2 all-time against the Union in MLS regular-season play, including a 4-2-0 record at CenturyLink Field.
- Seattle has allowed one goal or fewer in each of its last 13 matches, and its 29 goals allowed is the fewest in MLS this season.
- Wednesday marked the first time in 12 contests that Sounders FC was held without a goal.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Philadelphia Union 1
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Venue: Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistants: Jeff Hosking, Jeremy Hanson
Fourth Official: Daniel Radford
VAR: Allen Chapman
Attendance: 39,536
Weather: 62 degrees and partly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
PHI - Fafa Picault 90'+3'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
PHI- Derrick Jones (caution) 52'
PHI - Jack Elliott (caution) 78'
PHI- Jack Elliott (ejection) 89'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Kim Kee-hee, Chad Marshall (Román Torres HT), Brad Smith; Gustav Svensson, Osvaldo Alonso - captain, Cristian Roldan, Nicolás Lodeiro, VÃctor RodrÃguez (Harry Shipp 74'); Raúl RuidÃaz (Will Bruin 34')
Substitutes not used: Bryan Meredith, Nouhou, Alex Roldan, Jordy Delem
Total shots: 16 (Three players, 3)
Shots on goal: 4 (Four players, 1)
Fouls: 9 (C. Roldan, 3)
Offside: 2 (Lodeiro/RodrÃguez, 1)
Corner-kicks: 6 (Lodeiro, 4)
Saves: 4 (Frei, 4)
Philadelphia Union - Andre Blake; Raymon Gaddis (Fabinho 59'), Auston Trusty, Jack Elliott, Keegan Rosenberry; Haris Medunjanin, Derrick Jones, Alejandro Bedoya - captain, Fafa Picault, CJ Sapong (Fabian Herbers 82'); Cory Burke (Jay Simpson 88')
Substitutes not used: John McCarthy, Warren Creavalle, Mark McKenzie, David Accam
Total shots: 8 (Burke, 3)
Shots on goal: 5 (Burke, 2)
Fouls: 19 (Jones, 5)
Offside: 1 (Burke, 1)
Corner-kicks: 2 (Medunjanin, 2)
Saves: 4 (Blake, 4)
