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Sounders Blast New York in Home Opener

By Ben Renner

Mar 19, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Retired Seattle Sounders player Zach Scott walks the MLS Championship Cup onto the field prior to the game between the Seattle Sounders and the New York Red Bulls at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated New York 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Retired Seattle Sounders player Zach Scott walks the MLS Championship Cup onto the field prior to the game between the Seattle Sounders and the New York Red Bulls at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated New York 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sounders crushed the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in their home opener after raising the MLS Cup banner at CenturyLink Field.

The Sounders defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in their home opener soon after they raised the MLS Cup banner at CenturyLink Field. Clint Dempsey scored the first goal, on a penalty kick in the first half. Then the star power of the Sounders took over. Former Chicago Fire star Harry Shipp scored late in the game to put the Energy Drinks away for good.

New York equalized soon after halftime, but Jordan Morris headed home a cross on a beautiful sequence started by Joevin Jones megging a New York defender.

Nicolas Lodeiro added an assist to the score sheet, further showing the star power the Sounders can field every game. Head coach Brian Schmetzer was guarded in his post-game comments, but also hopeful for the future:

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"I’m not going to put any pressure or crown us kings of this very competitive league yet. But I do think that some of the potential that is there certainly puts us with all of the top teams in our league."

The Sounders front four is formidable. Lodeiro, Morris, Dempsey, and Shipp should continue to offer plenty of offensive firepower and options for Schmetzer all season long.

It’s a long season, and if we’ve learned anything from last year, it’s that things can turn around at any point. But the win in front of the home fans on a rare beautiful March day in Seattle was a statement. The Sounders started painfully slow last season on their march to the MLS Cup, dropping a few crucial matches because of bad calls, poor offense, and more.

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This season, Seattle sits at 1-1-1. As teams in the Western Conference jostle for position, a dominating win at home is a great start. They will take on Atlanta next week.

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