April 30, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release
SANDY, UTAH – Sounders FC (6-2-2, 20 points) played to a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake (3-5-1, 10 points) on Saturday evening at America First Field. Stefan Frei recorded his league-leading sixth shutout of the season as the Rave Green return to Seattle with a road point. With the result, Sounders FC jumps into first place in the Western Conference with 20 points, one point clear of second-place St. Louis CITY SC. Brian Schmetzer’s side now returns home to take on Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, May 7 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (1:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV – Watch Free, FOX, iHeartMedia, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH NOTES
Sounders FC jumps to first place in the Western Conference with 20 points (6-2-2), one point ahead of second-place St. Louis CITY SC and two points clear of third-place LAFC.
Stefan Frei recorded his league-leading sixth shutout of the season and 97th in his career, ranking third in MLS history.
Frei’s three saves this evening give him 1,147 in his career, four behind Jon Busch for fourth in league history.
Sounders FC ranks first in MLS this season in shutouts (six) and tied for third in fewest goals allowed (seven).
Sounders FC is now 1-11-4 all-time in MLS regular-season play at America First Field. Saturday’s match marked just the second time since 2012 that the Rave Green have left Utah with points in MLS play.
This marked the second of two MLS fixtures between the two clubs in 2023 MLS regular-season action. Sounders FC won the opening matchup this season 2-0 on March 4 at Lumen Field. The two sides are set to meet again on July 22 in 2023 Leagues Cup play at America First Field.
Facing his former team, Albert Rusnák made his 50th appearance across all competitions for Sounders FC since joining the club prior to the 2022 season.
With his yellow card in the eighth minute of play, Seattle midfielder João Paulo is now suspended for next weekend’s match against Sporting Kansas City due to yellow-card accumulation.
Real Salt Lake’s Pablo Ruiz was issued a second yellow card in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, forcing the home side to finish the match with 10 men.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 0 – Real Salt Lake 0
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Venue: America First Field
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistants: Jeffrey Greeson, Brian Dunn
Fourth Official: Chris Elliott
VAR: Kevin Stott
Attendance: 20,714
Weather: 78 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY