In a stunning display of skill and depth, the Seattle Sounders rotated their lineup significantly against Sporting Kansas City (SKC), gearing up for their upcoming Leagues Cup semifinal clash with the LA Galaxy. With a starting XI that included Danny Leyva at the number 10 position and Snyder Brunell partnering Cristian Roldan in the double-pivot, the Sounders showcased their attacking prowess, ultimately securing a commanding 5-2 win.
Leading the charge was Danny Musovski, who netted his first MLS hat trick, while Snyder Brunell and Kalani Kossa-Rienzi also contributed with goals. From the outset, Seattle asserted their dominance on the field, with the first opportunity arising just one minute into the match. Georgi Minoungou sprinted down the left wing, delivering a cross that barely evaded Musovski's grasp.
Musovski quickly made his presence felt, intercepting a pass in the 8th minute. However, after rounding goalkeeper John Pulskamp, he shot wide as his angle closed. The Sounders continued to press, and in the 11th minute, Minoungou set up Kossa-Rienzi for a shot that was blocked. Undeterred, Kossa-Rienzi seized the rebound and executed a fadeaway finish, marking the first goal of the night for Seattle.
Despite Seattle's early lead, SKC found an equalizer in the 36th minute. A breakdown in communication within the Sounders' defense allowed Mason Toye to sneak into the box unmarked and score, leveling the match at 1-1. However, just before halftime, Musovski struck again. Leyva sent a precise pass to Reed Baker-Whiting, who delivered a perfect cross that Musovski converted with a powerful header, restoring Seattle’s lead to 2-1 as they headed into the break.
The Sounders emerged from halftime with renewed vigor. In the 50th minute, Leyva and Musovski executed a brilliant corner kick, extending Seattle's lead to 3-1. Musovski's header found the back of the net again, demonstrating his remarkable form. SKC responded quickly, however, with Daniel Salloi scoring in the 53rd minute after a deflection off Cody Baker, narrowing the score to 3-2.
Seattle refused to be deterred, and by the 61st minute, they increased their advantage again. Leyva's vision and passing skills shone as he set up Minoungou, who cut back for Brunell to finish with ease, making it 4-2. The Sounders continued their relentless pursuit of goals, and in the 75th minute, Musovski completed his hat trick by converting a penalty kick awarded after Leyva was fouled in the box.
With the final score at 5-2, the Sounders now turn their attention to the upcoming Leagues Cup semifinal match against the LA Galaxy on August 27. Notably, Musovski's hat trick marked the tenth in Sounders history, solidifying his place among the club's elite scorers. Currently, he has 13 league goals, just four shy of the club's record, and 15 goals in all competitions.
Another standout was Snyder Brunell, who made his first MLS start and scored his second league goal. He not only impressed with his goal but also boasted the highest pass completion rate in the game, further demonstrating the depth of talent within the Sounders' roster.
After the match, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer emphasized the importance of squad depth, noting, “This has to be one of the deepest squads that we’ve had at this franchise since I’ve been here.” His sentiments reflect the team's ability to perform well even with significant changes to the starting lineup.
The Seattle Sounders’ emphatic victory over Sporting Kansas City not only boosts their confidence but also sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting semifinal showdown with the LA Galaxy. As the team prepares to face their next challenge, fans have much to look forward to as the Sounders continue their quest for glory.
