The Sounders’ Will Bruin (center) is greeted by Nicolas Lodeiro (left) and Brad Smith after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS match against Toronto FC on April 13, 2019, in Seattle. The Sounders won 3-2. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The Sounders’ Will Bruin (center) is greeted by Nicolas Lodeiro (left) and Brad Smith after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS match against Toronto FC on April 13, 2019, in Seattle. The Sounders won 3-2. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Bruin scores twice, Sounders outlast Toronto FC

Seattle wins 3-2 to continue its best start to a season in franchise history.

  • By Tim Booth Associated Press
  • Saturday, April 13, 2019 4:52pm
  • SportsSounders

By Tim Booth / Associated Press

SEATTLE — Will Bruin understands it’s not like the past. He doesn’t have a set starting role with the Seattle Sounders. His chances of playing long stretches likely come because others are injured or may need rest.

So when he does get a chance to start, like Saturday in a 3-2 victory over Toronto, Bruin must make the most of the chance.

“I always want to play whenever I can and (coach Brian Schmetzer) wants to put out a squad that’s going to get three points,” Bruin said. “I understand that. It’s a business and my job is to when I get opportunities, score. I was glad I could do that.”

Bruin scored twice and Cristian Roldan’s first goal of the season proved to be the difference as Seattle remained unbeaten through six games and continued putting to rest the narrative of the past two seasons when terrible starts forced the Sounders to spend most of the season trying to rally from behind.

Seattle (5-0-1) is off to its best start in franchise history and set the stage for an important upcoming stretch with two games in seven days against Los Angeles FC.

Since July 4 of last season, Seattle is 20-2-3 in its past 25 regular season matches, taking 63 of a possible 75 points. They were the hottest team at the end of last season and one of the hottest to begin this year.

“It’s definitely carry over. We have a lot of the same pieces that went on that great run and just having that confidence we have of knowing we’re one of the best teams in the league,” Bruin said.

Bruin and Roldan scored two minutes apart midway through the second half as Seattle held off Toronto despite two goals from Jozy Altidore. Toronto was the only unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference entering the weekend, but couldn’t get a late equalizer in the only regular-season matchup between the MLS Cup finalist from 2016 and 2017.

“Our issue is we’ve got to not allow goals. We have to make sure that we can deal with things, stay in our shape and not chase things all over the field,” Toronto coach Greg Vanney said.

Bruin was starting in place of injured striker Raul Ruidiaz for the second straight game due to a bruised heel. His return will be important with Seattle having three games in seven days between April 21-28, including bookend matchups with LAFC. There’s also injury concern about Bruin after he limped off in the 79th minute with a hamstring injury. The Sounders don’t expect an update whether Bruin will miss time until early next week.

Bruin was just fine on both of his goals, each coming off excellent passes by Brad Smith. Bruin’s diving header in the 24th minute pulled Seattle even and he ran onto Smith’s low cross to beat Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg in the 66th minute. Roldan’s goal in the 68th minute gave Seattle a 3-1 lead.

Altidore continued his resurgence from a disappointing season a year ago scoring a pair of goals for Toronto. Altidore’s header in the 11th minute gave Toronto a 1-0 lead, and his right-footed flick past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the 70th minute pulled Toronto to 3-2.

Altidore has five goals in four games after scoring seven times in 13 MLS matches all of last season. Both of Altidore’s goals came off assists from Alejandro Pozuelo, who has four assists in three games since joining Toronto from Genk in Belgium.

Pozuelo nearly pulled Toronto even in second-half stoppage time but his curling shot was pushed wide by Frei.

“It’s frustrating because you get out on top and it’s a game you don’t want to give up goals the way we gave up goals,” Vanney said.

Talk to us

More in Sports

The Everett Elite Flag Football 14-under team practices Sunday morning at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington on January 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Community roundup: 3 Jackson grads to D-I baseball tournament

Plus, Jayden White is headed back to the NCAA track and field nationals, the Silvertips sign their first-round picks and more.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 22-28

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 22-28 Voting closes at… Continue reading

Washington's Sami Reynolds runs the bases against McNeese during an NCAA softball game on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Local softball stars Reynolds, Mahler set for WCWS

Washington’s Sami Reynolds (Snohomish) and Stanford’s River Mahler (Monroe) each play prominent roles on their Pac-12 teams.

The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh smiles as a teammate throws bubblegum at him during an interview after Raleigh hit a single to drive in the winning run against the Yankees during the 10th inning of a game Wednesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Raleigh’s RBI single in 10th gives M’s 1-0 win over Yankees

George Kirby pitches one of the best games of his young career with eight shutout innings in Seattle’s 1-0 win.

X
AquaSox top Hops on wild pitch in 11th inning

Everett edges Hillsboro 3-2 in a game with strong pitching on both sides.

Alberto Rodriguez.
Rodriguez puts on power display, leads AquaSox to series win

The 22-year-old outfielder mashed 11 extra-base hits, including six home runs, as Everett took five of seven from Eugene.

Daniel Kim, left, and Ben Borgida, right, chat between holes during the Snohomish County Amateur golf tournament at the Everett Golf and Country Club in Everett, Washington on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Kim soars to 4-shot win in 92nd Snohomish County Amateur

The WSU freshman and Kamiak graduate’s 12-under final total was the historic tournament’s lowest since at least 2010.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge gestures after hitting a solo home-run against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Caean Couto)
Judge strikes again, Mariners lose to Yankees

Seattle falls 10-2 for a second consecutive lopsided loss.

Cooper Cummings from the United States celebrates after winning a men's downhill during the Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, Monday May 29, 2023. The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event where participants race down the 200-yard (180 m) long hill chasing a wheel of double gloucester cheese. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Arlington High School grad is the big cheese after winning UK race

Cooper Cummings, who grew up in Lake Stevens, defeated a world record-holder in Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake.

Most Read