Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer praised his team after a stunning 2-1 win over LA Galaxy to retain the top spot in the MLS Western Conference table.
This is already the second time this season that the Sounders have defeated Galaxy in recent weeks after the 3-0 victory on May 2.
With 21 points from nine games played and zero losses, the Sounders continue their biggest start to the season in the club’s history. When asked about his mood during the post – match press conference, Schmetzer answered with the obvious.
“It was a very, very nice evening for me tonight,” he said. “It’s a good coach, who changes the formation, makes the players believe in that formation, makes them complete that formation.
“I am proud of many things with the club. You can write a story about the 6-0-3 start, it is our best start in team history and it has been quite good. ”
LA Galaxy started the match stronger, earned and made a penalty in the 21st minute. They continued to dominate possession and chances until Yeimar Gómez Andrade found the equalizer for the Sounders with a cheeky nod, but the magic moment came from Raul Ruidiaz minutes into the second half.
Raul Ruidiaz recently returned to the Sounders after presenting for Peru during the World Cup qualifiers and failed to make the team for the Copa America. Despite a lack of international influence, Ruidiaz changed the match against LA Galaxy completely by scoring the decisive goal after taking advantage of a rebound up close. This is the player’s seventh goal of the season, which puts Ruidiaz on par with Chicharito for leading scorer.
“Chicharito is a huge player. Raul is a fantastic player, says Schmetzer. “Raul came back from Peru to be with us. We are very happy about that. It puts a smile on my face. The fact that he scored the winning goal puts a smile on my face. ”
The Sounders went into the match with their set of concerns. The regular goalkeeper Stefan Frei continues to be benched due to an injury, which forces Stefan Cleveland to enter during the decisive match.
CLUTCH, @stef_cleveland !! ? #SoundersMatchday | #LAvSEA pic.twitter.com/46fVtkzGLq
– Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) June 20, 2021
“Stef Cleveland really deserves a lot of credit,” Frei said. “I thought not just one or two saves, but his overall handling of pressure moments was very, very good tonight. So yes, he is growing, he is a good young goalkeeper, good reactions, good saves, but what I liked was his mentality to handle the game. It was very, very good tonight. ”
Seattle Sounders face sixth place Real Salt Lake next.
