Seattle Sounders FC 4, Colorado Rapids 0 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

In a match between the two lowest scoring teams in the League, Seattle Sounders FC made it clear they are a more than notch above the Colorado Rapids with a convincing 4-0 win Saturday afternoon at CenturyLink Field. 

Newcomer Raul Ruidiaz opened the scoring after 20 minutes when he put away a nice cut-back pass from Nicolas Lodeiro. Then it was Lodeiro's turn, as the Uruguayan was tackled just inside the box and converted his own penalty kick. 

The duo again connected on the Seattle's third goal, with Lodeiro doing the work and laying off a pass from his backside for Ruidiaz to finish from close range. 

Victor Rodriguez completed the rout with an upper 90 blast in a game where Seattle was never really tested defensively. 

Goals

• 22' – SEA – Raul Ruidiaz | WATCH
• 52' – SEA – Nicolas Lodeiro | WATCH
• 73' – SEA – Raul Ruidiaz | WATCH
• 80' – SEA – Victor Rodriguez | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: On July 4 the Sounders defeated Colorado, 2-1, to being a 12-game undefeated run. The streak ended last week, and perhaps this starts another run to close out the season. If anything, the win assures Seattle will remain above the playoff line, and potentially closing in to the top teams in the West. Colorado has now lost six straight (after losing eight in a row earlier in the year). They've been shutout out in five of their last six games, outscored 19-1 during this stretch. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH:
 The third and fourth goals were maybe nicer, but playing a team struggling offensively, this opener essentially was all the Sounders needed: 

MAN OF THE MATCH: Yes, this could and maybe should go to Raul Ruidiaz who scored twice. But in a close call, I'm picking Nicolas Lodeiro, who controlled the pace of Seattle's attack all day, providing two assists and creating / converting his own penalty kick.   

Up Next

• SEA: Monday, October 8 vs Houston (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info)
• COL: Saturday, October 6 vs LAFC (9 pm ET | TV & streaming info)