Sounders clinch playoff spot with win over Vancouver

PORTLAND, Ore. – Raul Ruidiaz had a goal and an assist in his first game back after testing positive for coronavirus while on international duty, and the Seattle Sounders clinched a spot in the playoffs with a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night.

The defending MLS Cup champion Sounders (10-4-5) secured their 12th straight trip to the postseason. The win also pushed Seattle to the top of the Western Conference standings.

“Even in the USL days and NASL days this club has always been a winning club. It’s something that is within the DNA, the culture of our club,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said.

Vancouver (8-13-0) went into the match with three wins in its last four games, but has just two games left to try and make the playoffs.

Ruidiaz returned to the starting lineup for the Sounders after contracting

COVID-19 while playing with Peru’s national team.

Ruidiaz, who leads Seattle with 10 goals, last played for the Sounders on Oct. 4, when he scored in a 3-1 victory over the Whitecaps. The Sounders have won both previous regular-season matchups against Vancouver this season.

“Seeing him play tonight, it’s seemed that he didn’t even have coronavirus,” said Nicolas Lodeiro, who also scored. “He came with energy, he came scoring goals, and it’s great to have him back.”

The Whitecaps made seven changes to their starting lineup from the last outing, a 2-1 victory over the San Jose at Portland’s Providence Park on Sunday. Vancouver is playing its home matches in Portland because of travel restrictions in Canada.

Whitecaps coach Marc Dos Santos also went to a 3-4-3 and took a defensive stance against Seattle from the start. The teams were scoreless at the half.

The game did not count toward the Cascadia Cup.