Sounders dominate Crew 4-0 in Seattle with Rusnák hat trick
- Albert Rusnák scored three goals, while Jordan Morris contributed a goal and an assist in the match.
- The Crew played with a man down after goalkeeper Abraham Romero received a red card in the first half.
- The Sounders' victory ended the Crew's seven-match winning streak and improved their own record.
On a Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio, the Seattle Sounders achieved a decisive 4-0 victory over the Columbus Crew, capitalizing on a significant advantage after the Crew's goalkeeper, Abraham Romero, received a red card in the first half. This incident occurred after a foul on Jordan Morris, forcing the Crew to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. With starter Patrick Shulte unavailable due to international duty, midfielder Sean Zawadzki was forced to step in as goalkeeper for the second half. Albert Rusnák opened the scoring just before halftime with a free kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time, giving the Sounders a 1-0 lead. In the second half, Morris extended the lead to 2-0 in the 60th minute, marking his 11th goal of the season. Rusnák then scored his second goal in the 67th minute, assisted by Joshua Atencio, before completing his hat trick just three minutes later with a pass from Morris. The match was originally scheduled for June 1 but was postponed to accommodate Columbus's participation in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. The Crew's loss marked only their third defeat in the last 39 home matches across all competitions, ending a seven-match winning streak that included a Leagues Cup title. The Sounders improved their record to 12-9-7 and will return home to face Sporting Kansas City on September 15, while the Crew will travel to play FC Cincinnati next. This match highlighted the Sounders' ability to capitalize on their opponents' misfortunes and showcased the offensive prowess of Rusnák and Morris.