Minnesota United’s slow start Monday cost them Game 2 of their MLS Cup Playoff series.
The Sounders rode three first-half goals and a late insurance goal to produce a 4-2 win at Lumen Field in Seattle, setting up a make-or-break Game 3 on Saturday afternoon at Allianz Field.
The Sounders dominated possession — like they did in Game 1 last Monday — and that was the foothold to stake a 3-0 lead through the opening 41 minutes.
Obed Vargas scored off a corner kick in the seventh minute. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year on Monday, got a touch on the shot but couldn’t’ keep it out of the back of the net.
MNUFC was exposed down the left side for the last two goals, with Cristian Roldan sending in crosses, Jesus Ferreira assisting on both, while Jordan Morris and Danny Musovski scored on tap-ins.
Head coach Eric Ramsay told the players postgame: “I was really disappointed with how difficult we made it for ourselves. I’d also stress some of that is on them and some of that is on us as a coaching staff and how we talked about the problems … in the build up to the game. Ultimately, as a collective, we need to take accountability for the opening stages of that game.”
The Loons looked dead in the water, and Ramsay was spotted on the bench jotting down plans to make massive changes at halftime. But the Loons snatched two goals back on counter attacks in first-half stoppage time.
Pouncing on Seattle giveaways, goals from Nectar Triantis and Robin Lod sliced Seattle’s lead to 3-2. The wild first half nearly had a sixth goal, but Vargas’ shot went off the left post just before the whistle.
Minnesota never really threatened for the equalizing goal in the second half, and Vargas’ second goal of the night sealed the win in the 86th minute.
