SEATTLE, WASH.– Dueling goals from each side resulted in a 1-1 draw at Lumen Field on Sunday afternoon between Seattle Sounders FC (5-0-2, 17 points) and Atlanta United (2-1-3, 9 points). In front of an increased crowd thanks to the implementation of vaccinated sections and a national television audience via network FOX, the draw preserves Seattle’s unbeaten opening to the 2021 season. The result also sets a new club record for the best start to a season in club history, with Seattle’s 17 points through seven games surpassing the 2019 squad’s 16 points through the same number of matches. Additionally, Seattle remains atop both the MLS Supporters’ Shield race and Western Conference standings.
Seattle got off to a quick start in the sixth minute of play, with Raúl Ruidíaz bagging his sixth goal in just seven matches, good for second in the 2021 MLS Golden Boot Race (LA Galaxy’s Javier Hernández currently has seven goals). The strike came via a João Paulo corner in the sixth minute of play, with Ruidíaz timing his jump perfectly to place a headed goal past Atlanta’s Brad Guzan. For the Peruvian, it was his 48th career MLS goal in 70 games, with João Paulo earning his team-leading fourth assist of the campaign.
Atlanta forward Josef Martínez converted a penalty in the 86th minute to level the score at one goal apiece. The tally is Martínez’s third all-time goal against the Rave Green, the most of any player in the short series between the two clubs dating back to 2017.
The Rave Green now prepare to close out the month of May with a third-consecutive home match against Austin FC on Sunday, May 30. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. PT, with FS1 broadcasting the match nationally, and 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 providing regional radio coverage. The contest is the first-ever meeting between the two sides, with Austin FC beginning play as an expansion club earlier this season.
MATCH NOTES
- Today’s draw gives Seattle a new record for the best start to a season in club history (MLS era). With five wins and two draws (17 points), Brian Schmetzer’s side has now surpassed the 16 points from seven matches that the 2019 team achieved.
- Today’s result was Seattle’s first non-win at home of 2021, with the Rave Green previously having defeated Minnesota United, the LA Galaxy and LAFC at Lumen Field. Dating back to last season, Sounders FC has not lost in Seattle since September 6, 2020 (a 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers).
- Following the draw, Seattle remains both top of the Supporters’ Shield race and MLS Western Conference standings. The Rave Green lead the New England Revolution by three points for the top record in MLS, while also maintaining a four-point lead over Sporting Kansas City in second place in the West.
- Sounders FC maintains the best goal difference in MLS (+11) while also being the top-scoring side in the league (14 goals through seven games).
- Atlanta’s goal in the 86th minute of play was just the third strike Sounders FC has allowed in 2021, and the first at home this season. The Rave Green have not allowed a goal from the run of play yet.
- Sounders FC remains unbeaten all-time against Atlanta United, moving 1-0-3 against the Five Stripes dating back to Atlanta’s expansion season in 2017. Seattle won the previous matchup between the two sides, a 2-1 home victory on July 14, 2019. Raúl Ruidíaz and Harry Shipp provided the goals for the Rave Green on that day.
- With his goal in the sixth minute of play, Raúl Ruidíaz headed home his sixth tally of 2021, good for second in the MLS Golden Boot race, one notch behind the LA Galaxy’s Javier Hernández. The strike was also Ruidíaz’s second career goal versus Atlanta United in two games against the Five Stripes, the most of any Sounder in the short-lived series.
- Ruidíaz now has 48 strikes in 70 MLS appearances (including playoffs). Since entering the league in mid-2018, only Atlanta’s Josef Martínez has more goals in that timeframe (51 goals). LAFC’s Carlos Vela also has 47 goals in the same span.
- Brazilian midfielder João Paulo claimed an assist on Ruidíaz’s corner-kick goal, good for his team-leading fourth helper of 2021, and his ninth overall assist since joining the Rave Green prior to the 2020 season.
- Replacing the injured Stefan Frei in goal (L knee sprain), Stefan Cleveland made his second-straight Sounders FC start on Sunday, allowing his only goal thus far. Last Sunday vs. LAFC, Cleveland made his regular-season debut, recording a shutout in just his sixth overall league match.
- Atlanta forward Josef Martínez converted a penalty in the 86th minute, good for his third goal all-time against the Rave Green. No player in the short series between the two clubs has scored more.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Atlanta United FC 1
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistants: Mike Rottersman, Chris Elliott
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
Attendance: 11,011 (limited capacity)
Weather: 61 and cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (João Paulo) 6’
ATL – Josef Martinez (penalty) 86’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
ATL – Erik Lopez (caution) 2’
SEA – Nouhou (caution) 31’
ATL – Emerson Hyndman (caution) 32’
SEA – Xavier Arreaga (caution) 68’
ATL – Matheus Rossetto (caution) 90’+1’
SEA – Alex Roldan (caution) 90’+2’
ATL – Franco Ibarra (caution) 90’+3’
LINEUPS & STATS
Sounders FC – Stefan Cleveland; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Nouhou, Xavier Arreaga, Brad Smith; Kelyn Rowe (Fredy Montero 81’), João Paulo, Cristian Roldan; Will Bruin (Danny Leyva 70’), Raúl Ruidíaz
Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Ethan Dobbelaere, Jimmy Medranda, Reed Baker-Whiting, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Shane O’Neill
Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 19
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 1
Atlanta United FC – Brad Guzan; Anton Walkes, Santiago Sosa, Miles Robinson; Brooks Lennon, Franco Ibarra, Emerson Hyndman (Matheus Rossetto 88’), George Bellow, Marcelino Moreno, Erik Lopez (Jake Mulraney 46’); Josef Martínez (Erick Torres 88’)
Substitutes not used: Ben Lundgaard, Ronald Hernandez, Alex De John, George Campbell, Mikey Ambrose, Jackson Conway
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 16
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 1
