Sounders, Real Salt Lake aspire for better after unsatisfying openers

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th February, 20:07 2025

Soccer: Concacaf Champions Cup-Antiqua GFC at Seattle Sounders FC

Feb 26, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Antigua GFC defender Jose Agustin Ardon Castellanos (12) heads the ball in front of Seattle Sounders FC defender Jon Bell (15) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake, who are scheduled to meet Saturday in Sandy, Utah, came away disappointed from their Major League Soccer openers for much different reasons.

The Sounders (0-0-1, 1 point) allowed an own goal in second-half stoppage time for a 2-2 draw with visiting Charlotte FC, which spoiled Jordan Morris' brace.

The goals were the 85th and 86th of Morris' Sounders career in all competitions, tying Raul Ruidiaz for the franchise record.

"He's surpassed some pretty good players," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. "Raul was tremendous in his prime. Then we had Clint (Dempsey) and we had Oba (Martins), a lot of good forwards and attacking players at this club. For the local guy to persevere ... he's going to break it and it's a tremendous achievement for Jordan."

Meanwhile, RSL (0-1-0, 0 points) gave up three goals in a 15-minute span late in the second half to cap a 4-0 defeat at San Jose.

The Sounders will enter the match on a positive note, having dispatched visiting Antigua GFC 3-1 Wednesday in the second leg of their opening-round CONCACAF Champions Cup series. Seattle advanced on a 6-2 aggregate.

RSL suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat the same night to Costa Rican champions CS Herediano and were eliminated from the CONCACAF event after a scoreless draw in the opener. Forster Ajago scored Wednesday for RSL, which conceded a penalty kick late in second-half stoppage time.

Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said he was "dumbfounded" and "frustrated" by his team's loss Wednesday.

"If you don't want to feel like (bleep) on Saturday, then be better (in practice)," Mastroeni said he told his players.

He was particularly dismayed that his side lost despite a 26-8 edge in shot attempts.

"I don't know how you come away with one goal from that game," Mastroeni said. "You've got to be killers, man. You've got to get numbers inside the box. You've got to be clinical. That game should've been put away in the first half."

--Field Level Media

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