MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC Opens 2020 MLS Campaign with 2-1 Win over Chicago Fire FC

Published on March 1, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH. - Sounders FC (1-0-0, 3 points) began its 2020 campaign on Sunday afternoon, earning a late 2-1 win over Chicago Fire FC (0-1-0, 0 points) at CenturyLink Field thanks to a Jordan Morris brace. After surrendering a 1-0 lead early in the second half, Morris equalized in the 62nd minute before finding the match winner off a corner kick in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Cristian Roldan recorded assists on each goal as the Rave Green improved to 7-5-0 all-time in season openers. Brian Schmetzer's side remains home next week to host Columbus Crew SC on Saturday evening at CenturyLink Field (7:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).

The visitors took a 1-0 less than a minute into the second half via striker Robert Berić. Álvaro Medrán lofted a through ball into the 18-yard-box to Djordje Mihailović, who chested the ball down to the feet of Berić for an easy finish past Stefan Frei.

Sounders FC equalized in the 62nd minute, with Morris scoring the club's first MLS regular season goal of 2020 after coming on as a substitute at halftime. Kelvin Leerdam played Roldan down the right flank near the touchline for a low cross in front of goal, and Morris fought his way through a defender for a tap-in at the far post. The goal opened Morris' 2020 MLS account following a 2019 season in which he won MLS Comeback Player of the Year and Sounders FC Team MVP after tallying 10 goals and seven assists.

The match remained level until the third minute of second-half stoppage time, when Morris netted the game-winner to complete his brace. João Paulo's corner kick found Roldan at the near post for a snap-header to Morris, who re-directed the ball in the net at the far post. It marked the fourth career brace for Morris and third two-assist game for Roldan. João Paulo has now recorded two goals and two assists in his first three games across all competitions for Seattle.

Following today's match, Sounders FC trains this week at Starfire Sports before hosting Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, March 7. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field, with local broadcast coverage on JOEtv, 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.

MATCH NOTES

Sounders FC today improved to 7-5-0 all-time in season openers, including a 7-4-0 mark at home.

Seattle has not allowed more than one goal in 11 all-time home openers.

Morris recorded the fourth brace of his career and his third at CenturyLink Field. He also scored twice in last season's home opener, a 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati.

Roldan recorded the third two-assist game of his career and his first since September 15, 2019, a 4-2 win over the New York Red Bulls. All three of his two-assist performances have come at CenturyLink Field.

João Paulo has now recorded two goals and two assists in his first three games across all competitions for Sounders FC.

Miguel Ibarra made his Sounders FC debut and led the club with six shots and three shots on goal. MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Chicago Fire FC 1

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Venue: CenturyLink Field

Referee: Alex Chilowicz

Assistants: Jeremy Keiso, Cory Richardson

Fourth Official: Ismir Pekmic

VAR: Victor Rivas

Attendance: 40,126

Weather: 44 degrees and partly sunny

SCORING SUMMARY

CHI - Robert Berić (Djordje Mihailović, Alvaro Medran) 46'

SEA - Jordan Morris (Cristian Roldan, Kelvin Leerdam) 62'

SEA - Jordan Morris (Cristian Roldan, João Paulo) 90'+3'

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

CHI - Fabian Herbers (caution) 72'

SEA - Jordy Delem (caution) 80'

SEA - João Paulo (caution) 86'

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Shane O'Neill, Xavier Arreaga, Joevin Jones; Jordy Delem (Nouhou 86'), Danny Leyva (Jordan Morris HT), Cristian Roldan, João Paulo, Miguel Ibarra (Harry Shipp 73'); Raúl Ruidíaz

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Justin Dhillon

Total shots: 16 (Ibarra, 6)

Shots on goal: 6 (Ibarra, 3)

Fouls: 14 (João Paulo, 5)

Offside: 5 (Morris, 2)

Corner-kicks: 8 (João Paulo, 7)

Saves: 2 (Frei, 2)

Chicago Fire FC - Kenneth Kronholm; Jonathan Bronstein, Johan Kappelhof, Francisco Calvo - captain; Álvaro Medrán, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Brandt Bronico, Djordje Mihailović (Elliot Collier 70'), Mauricio Pineda; Fabian Herbers (Micheal Azira 81'), Robert Berić

Substitutes not used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Miguel Angel Navarro, Wyatt Omsberg, Nicholas Slonina, Jeremiah Gutjahr

Total shots: 12 (Beric, 4)

Shots on goal: 3 (Three players, 1)

Fouls: 12 (Beric, 5)

Offside: 7 (Beric, 4)

Corner-kicks: 4 (Mihailovic/Medran, 2)

Saves: 3 (Kronholm, 3)

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

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