Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
The Seattle Sounders opened their 2019 title defense with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire. After dropping out of the CONCACAF Champions League to CD Olimpia this week, the Sounders have decided to focus their energy back to defending their MLS Title and earning a 3rd gold star. Once again 40k fans got to watch the Rave Green parry and jab at an opponent only to drop them in the home confines of CenturyLink.
Good to be back for a #SoundersMatchday and Sounders Victory! #ChampionshipBanner #SEAvCHI pic.twitter.com/EaeQVudlz3
— chris blakely ⭐️⭐️ (@chinsb11) March 2, 2020
The Fire had no answers for Jordan Morris whose perimeter speed outclassed the wing defenders time after time. And while the Fire scored first just 43 seconds into the 2nd half, they were generally on the retreat from the Mercer Island product in Morris. The 25 year old Morris has had injury concerns that have plagued him both in his availability for the Rave Green and the USMNT as well. But it is Morris’ determination that has him coming back for more.
Assuming they are saying Morris was offside here. Waved off. pic.twitter.com/EThqC2GLil
— Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) March 1, 2020
“Jordan made some big strides over the course of the last 36 hours,’’ Schmetzer said. “When we first started the conversation of him starting on 2½ days’ rest, which is a tight turnaround for sprinters, he was actually pissed at me. He was upset. He was, like, no, coach, I want to play.”
Christian would find a running partner in Jordan Morris in the 55th minute as Roldan found Morris in the box for a goal that was called back due to offsides. No matter as in the 62nd minute, they switched roles and Roldan led Morris for the equalizer. For a while the game was a stalemate until stoppage time when Roldan found Jordan on a header once again to get the go ahead score!
Looks like a defender is just chilling keeping Morris on. pic.twitter.com/OyzZmcFMlM
— Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) March 1, 2020
The Sounders showed that they could get over the CCL very quickly. While Champions League, Supporter’s Shield, US Open are all very nice, there is only one thing that matters and that is the MLS Cup and that is what coach Brian Schmetzer has this team focused on.
