Dempsey, Morris help Sounders end Red Bulls' 18-game unbeaten streak

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:46 am

The New York Red Bulls' unbeaten streak ended one game short of matching the MLS record as they lost 3-1 at the Seattle Sounders on Monday.

The Red Bulls had not lost in 18 regular season games going back to last season, and avoiding defeat against the Sounders would have equaled the record of 19 set by Columbus in 2004-05 and FC Dallas in 2010.

But it was not to be as Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris and Harry Shipp scored to give Seattle its first win of the season on a day the city celebrated last year's MLS Cup title with more than 45,000 fans.

Morris drew a penalty in the 27th minute after being tripped up by Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles, and Dempsey put his kick down the middle for his second goal of the year.

The Red Bulls found an equalizer in the 57th minute when Bradley-Wright Phillips put a header in off the far post for his first goal of the season and his 70th overall in just 110 regular-season MLS games.

But less than 10 minutes later, Morris headed the Sounders back in front. Joevin Jones' dribble split Red Bulls defender Sal Zizzo's legs along the end line to find Nicolas Lodeiro, who was open in the penalty area but sent a one-touch cross to Morris at the back post.

Shipp made sure of the victory in the 79th minute, getting a touch to Jones' long-range shot to deflect it inside the post.

Eight years to the day Seattle made its MLS debut with a victory over the Red Bulls, the Sounders celebrated their first MLS Cup title with New York again playing the complementary role.

The championship trophy was paraded through the streets of downtown Seattle before the match, then across the field by retired defender Zach Scott and injured captain Brad Evans just before kickoff.

The Sounders unveiled their green championship banner in the rafters of CenturyLink Field as well after spending the first two weeks of the MLS season on the road.