The Seattle Sounders opened up their 2023 MLS campaign with a bang as they welcomed the Colorado Rapids to Lumen Field on a cold Sunday evening.
Coming off a disappointing result in the Club World Cup losing to Al Ahly in their first game, the Rave Green seemed motivated and looked like a team in midseason form with a comprehensive 4-0 victory against a strong Colorado side.
The action started right away with attempts that hit the post from both sides within the first 5 minutes, as Alex Roldan cut in from his right back position and fired a rocket of a left footed shot off the crossbar.
Jordan Morris was back to looking like his dangerous self on both wings, as he picked up a great through ball from Nico Lodeiro on the right wing, and Morris would put a perfect cross to the far post where Cristian Roldan was waiting and after his initial header was saved, he was right there to slot home the rebound for 1-0 in the 25th minute.
Seattle would not be content with 1-0 as they continued to press for more, as Cristian Roldan found himself with space on the right wing, he fired another back post cross where Nico Lodeiro was waiting and put a first time volley back into the box to find Jordan Morris, making a darting near post run and after it seemed like Abubakar had it under control, Morris pounced on a loose ball with a diving close range header to make it 2-0 Seattle just before half time in the 45th minute.
The message from Head Coach Brian Schmetzer seemed to be "more of the same" as Seattle came out of halftime with the same energy they went into it. Debutant Heber would get in on the action as he joined in combination play with Cristian Roldan and Albert Rusnak and would find Nico Lodeiro on the left wing, who once again put in a dangerous cross which Hebert was quick to pounce on with a tidy finish into the roof of the net to make it 3-0 sounders in the 53rd minute.
With the game seemingly decided, action slowed significantly, but the Sounders would not be stopped from adding one more from Jordan Morris once again as he put in a Man of the Match Performance with 2 goals and an assist.
Be sure to check out the post game and highlights below: