Daniel Royer, Bradley Wright-Phillips help New York Red Bulls past the Seattle Sounders

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:29 am

Daniel Royer and Bradley Wright-Phillips scored goals and Luis Robles made four saves in five chances as the New York Red Bulls held on to beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 on Wednesday at Red Bulls Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

New York won for the first time in its past four MLS matches while Seattle lost for the fourth time in its last five games.

The Red Bulls have four wins and a draw among the most recent seven matches at home in MLS play against Seattle, with the lone loss coming in 2010. The home team has won each of the past five meetings between the Red Bulls and Seattle.

Royer put the Red Bulls in front at the 37th minute, taking a pass from Florian Valot at the far post after a long run from Ethan Kutler and a cross deep into the box. Valot's pass was little more than a deflection to fool Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei and just slightly changed the direction of Kutler's pass. The assist by Kutler was his first in MLS.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Wright-Phillips found the net with his head in the 52nd minute when he pounced on a centering pass from Kutler and beat defender Cristian Roldan to the ball, directing it to the low and left of Frei at the near post. Sean Davis was also given an assist for his corner kick that started the tally.

Frei's play in net kept the Sounders in the match, as he turned away 11 shots, including three at point-blank range.

Harry Shipp, who entered as a substitute in the 59th minute, cut the New York lead in half with three minutes to play as he pushed a pass from Will Bruin past Robles. Waylon Francis also got an assist on the play.

Both teams will take a break this weekend for group play in the World Cup. New York returns to the pitch on June 23 when it hosts FC Dallas while the Sounders head back to Seattle to host Chicago, also on June 23.