The Seattle Sounders FC needed a win over Austin FC, and they got it on Saturday night at Lumen Field. The final score was 3-0. Seattle, in desperate need of three points as they plot a late push back into the MLS Cup Playoffs race, blitzed Austin behind a Ral Ruidaz brace and an own goal in the second half. This was their most complete performance since their historic run to the Concacaf Champions League title earlier this year.

In the 12th minute, Ruidaz capped off an excellent attacking sequence set up by Jordan Morris and Nicolás Lodeiro to give the Sounders the lead. Morris advanced to the right end zone before flipping the ball back to Lodeiro. After pretending to take a shot, Lodeiro found Ruidaz open six yards to the left. In the 34th minute, Ruidaz extended the lead when Alex Roldan played in Morris behind the defensive line and the United States international sent an easy ball across the middle for Ruidaz to tap in on a first-time finish. In the 38th minute, following a melee in the box after a free kick, Julio Cascante missed beyond the right post from close range, representing Austin's best chance of the half. In the 68th minute, Seattle sealed the deal when Xavier Arreaga's header off a free kick bounced off Ruben Gabrielson's back. In the 83rd minute, Austin's Diego Fagndez came clear in behind on the far post, but his one-timer missed the target.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Alejandro Sanchez]