Schmetzer says the Sounders have raised their game with Lodeiro. “But the most important thing is the win today”.
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“I think he had a head start on some of the physical conditioning stuff that makes it hard”, said interim Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer, referencing Lodeiro’s run to last month’s Copa Libertadores semifinals with former club Boca Juniors. Clint Dempsey played the ball wide to Andreas Ivanschitz, who dribbled up the left side before cutting a pass to Lodeiro at the edge of the 18 for a first-time shot that snuck under the crossbar just out of reach for goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The Sounders sit five points adrift of reigning MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers and the sixth playoff spot, but with two games in hand. He makes everybody else around him better. That could be his biggest contribution aside from a goal and an assist tonight. The Uruguayan notched the game’s opening goal with a first-time, left-footed shot in the center of the RSL penalty area in the 24th minute before assisting the Sounders’ second goal, a Jordan Morris header, only 13 minutes later.
In the Eastern Conference, Orlando City failed to leapfrog D.C. United, letting their lead slip to draw 2-2 at Chicago Fire. Seattle’s victory represents the tenth straight regular season win by the home side in the two teams’ series.
“If you look at all the other results from the past weekend (on Saturday all three teams ahead of RSL in the Western Conference finished with draws), it worked out fantastic for us”, Salt Lake coach Jeff Cassar said. “But I do believe it’s their group mentality that makes them play the way they’re playing now”. We spoke a little bit at halftime and there was one thing about being in good shape and the next thing is being tight enough to where you don’t allow them to pull that off. I think we’ve done a great job you know, we’ve been pretty solid getting a lot of points, especially away.
Aspects of the Seattle game plan were on display early in the first half. Out of nowhere, Movsisyan hustled Stefan Frei who rolled the ball right into Yura’s foot and RSL were able to cut the lead in half when Joao Plata tapped the ball in in the 63rd minute. Movsisyan controlled the ball, faked a shot to get Seattle defender Brad Evans to slide, and carried the ball toward the center of the box.
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Dempsey, coming off of a hat trick last week at Orlando City, had a chance to clinch the game with a penalty kick in the 82nd minute.
