The Seattle Sounders dominated the Colorado Rapids 3-0 at Lumen Field on Sunday night, starting with an early Cristian Roldan goal and ending with a stoppage-time Joao Paolo spectacle. With the win, the Sounders reclaimed first place in the Western Conference and halted the Rapids' 12-match winning run, putting an end to a top-four fight in the overall league standings.

With fewer than 90 seconds left on the clock, Roldan took an end-line throw from Will Bruin and ripped it past Clint Irwin's hands and into the end zone for Seattle's first touchdown. The Sounders then extended their advantage with a spectacular team goal in the 22nd minute. Roldan then passed it to Joao Paulo, who passed it to Jimmy Medranda, who sent a rocket barely inside the near post that Irwin was unable to stop. Then, during first-half stoppage time, Joao Paulo performed a Herculean solo effort, grabbing the ball in his own half, going beyond midfield, and finishing on his own past multiple Rapids players stunning the Seattle faithful begging many to ponder whether they had just seen the 2021 MLS goal of the year.

It was not the Rapids' night, as Diego Rubio appeared to have pulled one back at the 75-minute mark, but the goal was ruled out due to offside in the buildup. The visitors had another excellent opportunity in front of the goal in the 90th minute, but couldn't get the final ball, and Frei got a clean sheet in the end.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Alejandro Sanchez]