Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock scored as the Seattle Sounders celebrated their 50th anniversary with a 2-0 victory against visiting Minnesota United in an MLS match Saturday night.
Stefan Frei didn't have to make a save in posting the shutout for the Sounders (5-7-6, 21 points), who improved to 12-1-2 in their all-time series against the Loons -- including 8-0-0 at Lumen Field.
Goalie Clint Irwin made two saves for Minnesota (8-4-5, 29 points).
The Sounders opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Albert Rusnak's free kick from the right wing found Morris at the top of the 6-yard box in the middle of the pitch, and his header took one bounce off the turf on its way just past a diving Irwin and inside the far post.
The Sounders nearly doubled their lead in the opening minute of the second half. Morris raced down the right wing and sent a cross atop the 6-yard box. Rothrock made a sliding attempt to reach the ball but redirected it just wide of the far post.
Minnesota had its best chance in the 54th minute, but Bongokuhle Hlongwane's header off a corner kick sailed just over the crossbar.
Rothrock got his goal in the 57th minute. Leo Chu and Obed Vargas played a nifty give-and-go along the end line on the right wing, with Chu sending a low cross through the goalmouth. Rothrock got an outstretched leg on the pass to knock the ball into the far side of the net.
The match got off to a scary start as Minnesota's Devin Padelford and Seattle's Alex Roldan went up for a header in the opening 15 seconds and butted heads. Both players went down for nearly five minutes and were taken out of the match.
Minnesota's Moses Nyeman received a red card for a serious challenge on Rusnak in the 90th minute.
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