Seattle sounders x sporting kansas city

Sporting Kansas City declared their intentions in the hunt for the Supporters' Shield and the top spot in the Western Conference with a thumping 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday evening at Lumen Field. Johnny Russell scored the game's first goal on a well-struck free-kick. Danniel Salloi then increased Kansas City's advantage on a counterattack soon before halftime, his team-leading ninth goal of the season.

Cameron Duke, a midfield replacement, scored his first MLS goal on his first touch to secure all three points for the visitors, who pulled within two points of the West-leading Sounders and three points of Shield leaders New England. Fredy Montero scored his third goal of the season shortly after halfway for Seattle, who suffered their first home defeat in nine games in 2021.

The Sounders' 13-match undefeated streak was broken in Minnesota two games and a week ago.

Not long later, Raul Ruidiaz had the Sounders' best chance to tie the game, but Tim Melia got just enough of his chip from the penalty area to push it into the goal frame.

Much like the Sounders' away loss to Minnesota, an eventual home defeat appeared inevitable for Seattle given their workload and small bench in previous weeks. It didn't hurt that Kansas City was playing their second game in five days, while the Sounders were playing their third in eight. Meanwhile, Sporting's greatest away win to date, having previously defeated the LA Galaxy without Chicharito, the San Jose Earthquakes, and the New York Red Bulls in reverse order.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Alejandro Sanchez]