Seattle Sounders 0, Montreal Impact 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Any hope the Seattle Sounders had of securing some points at home vs. Montreal Impact didn't last long Saturday night. Kelvin Leerdam was sent off in the 40th minute after slapping Daniel Lovitz across the face, changing the game instantly. The Sounders were already without Clint Dempsey, who was serving his own one-game suspension from a red card in Seattle's last game, but going down to 10 men proved a bridge too far.

Ignacio Piatti and Jeisson Vargas linked up for the Impact in the match's only goal and, while the match was surprisingly close despite Montreal's man advantage, the result was what everyone expected. The Impact should perhaps thank goalkeeper Evan Bush for preserving their lead.

Goals

• 60' - MTL - Jeisson Vargas | Watch

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: Can you win games if you always get a red card? That's a question the Sounders may be wondering right about now. Saturday's loss at home to Montreal was the third straight match the Sounders have gone down to 10 men due to a red card – every one of their MLS matches so far this season. All of those matches have been losses, too.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: You can't escape the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). They see all, which is really the point. So, you know, don't slap your opponent in the face. Unfortunately for
Kelvin Leerdam
, it's a lesson learned too late.

MAN OF THE MATCH: He may not have gotten on the score sheet himself, but the best players for the Impact was, as usual, Ignacio Piatti. On Vargas' goal, Piatti danced through the Seattle defense and set up his teammate.

Next Up

• SEATTLE SOUNDERS: Sunday, April 15 at Kansas City (4 pm ET | TV & streaming info)
• MONTREAL IMPACT: Friday, April 6 at New England (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info)