Seattle Sounders make easy work of Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS is Back Tournament

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:15 am

Nicolas Lodeiro and Jordan Morris each had a goal and an assist and the Seattle Sounders recorded a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night to clinch a spot in the Round of 16 in the MLS is Back Tournament near Orlando, Fla.

Forward Raul Ruidiaz also scored a goal as Seattle concluded Group B play with four points and a 1-1-1 record. A setback would have sent the defending MLS champions home.

The Sounders will finish either second or third in the group depending on how the Chicago Fire fare in their last match. Chicago defeated Seattle 2-1 on Tuesday.

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Vancouver drops to 0-2-0 in the tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Whitecaps were outshot 17-8.

Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei had two saves while notching his second shutout of the season and 78th of his 12-year MLS career.

Seattle's first goal occurred after Morris' blast caromed off the hand of Vancouver defenseman Jasser Khmiri, prompting a yellow card and a penalty kick.

Lodeiro took the kick in the 16th minute and easily sent the left-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net as Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau went in the other direction.

Lodeiro recorded the assist in the 34th minute as he lobbed a pass upfield to a streaking Morris, who outsprinted a defender and headed in on goal. Crepeau came out and Morris sent the right-footed shot to the left of the sliding keeper to make it 2-0.

The Sounders increased the lead to 3-0 in the 51st minute when Lodeiro sent a corner kick toward the box. Midfielder Handwalla Bwana (head) and Morris (leg) both flicked the ball in the direction of Ruidiaz, who received the ball on the doorstep and slammed a left-footed shot past Crepeau.

Crepeau (three saves) left after 58 minutes due to a collision with Bwana. Thomas Hasal had one save as the replacement.

Vancouver has allowed seven goals in its two tournament losses.