Seattle, WA—–Albert Rusnak scored twice, including a decisive penalty kick deep into stoppage time, propelling the Seattle Sounders to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
Chicago had a huge opportunity in the fifth minute when Brian Gutiérrez played a line-breaking pass in behind for Maren Haile-Selassie, but Sounders goaltender Stefan Frei came up with a save on the breakaway.
The winning goal came after Chicago’s Mauricio Pineda fouled Jordan Morris in the box, allowing Rusnak to convert the penalty for his third goal of the season. Earlier in the second half, Rusnak had equalized with another successful penalty kick.
Stefan Frei made three saves for Seattle (7-7-7, 28 points), extending their unbeaten streak to four matches (3-0-1).
Chicago’s Maren Haile-Selassie had opened the scoring in the first half with his fourth goal of the season, but the Fire (4-10-6, 18 points) couldn’t hold on. Goalkeeper Chris Brady made four saves for the Fire, who suffered their second consecutive defeat and dropped to 0-6-2 all-time against the Sounders on the road.
Seattle, missing top scorer Raul Ruidiaz and defender Nouhou due to disciplinary reasons, struggled initially but rallied to secure the win thanks to Rusnak’s heroics.
This is the third straight contest that the Sounders has erased a deficit. Seattle have come from behind to take seven points from losing positions, including two stoppage-time winners at home over the last two weekends.
The Sounders will finish their three-match home-stand next Saturday when they welcome the New England Revolution to Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT.
