Seattle Sounders beat Colorado Rapids 4-0 in their one-sided MLS opener as US international Jordan Morris scored twice to help his side start in style.
Jordan Morris scored a pair of headed goals, Cristian Roldan also scored with a header, and the Seattle Sounders crushed Colorado Rapids in a dominant 4-0 victory Sunday night in the MLS season opener for both teams.
Roldan scored in the 25th minute finishing off a chance that started with Morris’ cross. In the closing moments of the first half, Morris got his first of the season with a diving header after Nicolás Lodeiro’s first-time pass went in front of goal.
New forward Heber scored on his Seattle debut early in the second half and Morris scored his second in the 83rd minute off a corner kick from around the penalty area.
It was Morris’ first multi-goal game since August 30, 2020, against LAFC.
Sounders cruise to 4-0 win over Colorado Rapids in MLS opening weekend
USA international Jordan Morris recorded his first multi-goal appearance since August 2020
Seattle’s convincing opening win was a powerful statement after the Sounders missed the MLS playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season.
The Sounders finished 11th in the Western Conference last year, one spot behind the equally disappointing Rapids, who fell to 10th after winning the 2021 Western Conference regular season title.
Seattle’s 2023 MLS debut came less than a month after the Sounders had a disappointingly short run at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The first team from MLS to participate in the competition, the Sounders lost to Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly 1-0 in the quarter-final round and ended up playing just one match in Morocco.
But the time spent preparing for the Club World Cup appeared to be paying off as Seattle were much sharper and more dangerous around goal against the Rapids.
Colorado’s best scoring chances came from promising 18-year-old forward Darren Yappy making his MLS debut.
Yapi hit the post from 18 yards in the second minute and had another good chance on goal saved by Seattle’s Stephen Fry midway through the second half. But Colorado’s revamped defense remained leaky.
The Rapids gave up 57 goals last season, and Seattle could have started the season with a few more if not for some key saves from goaltender William Yarbrough.
The first game also saw the MLS return for Seattle midfielder Joao Paulo after missing most of last season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Paulo played 80 minutes.
Sounders’ Cristian Roldan sends the ball past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough.