Jesús Ferreira Leads The Way For Sounders In 2-0 Victory Over Austin
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - Coming off three competitive efforts against some of the best teams in the world during their appearance in this years FIFA Club World Cup, our Seattle Sounders FC stepped back into their MLS regular season schedule in successful fashion. Forward Jesús Ferreira recorded a goal and assist to lead the Sounders past Austin FC by a final score of 2-0, pushing Seattle up to fifth in the Western Conference and earning a victory for the first time since last May. Down to just one healthy centerback, the Sounders were at a disadvantage from kickoff and didn’t have form on their side, but they were able to bear down and handle an Austin side that had recorded at least a point in seven of their last eight matches. With another competition out of the way, having completed two of the four that they’re participating in this year, Seattle’s main focus of a third MLS Cup narrows once again. There’s still plenty of time for the Sounders to improve their own form and get healthier, as playing with one primary centerback is never a great situation, but wins like this where they show improvement in areas of their game that have lacked previously is a positive sign to carry throughout the summer.
The Emerald City Supporters TIFO raised before this match to celebrate the Seattle Sounders FC pride match on June 28th, 2025 at Lumen Field against Austin FC. (Photo by Andy Glass for Circling Seattle Sports)
An early lead from a somewhat unlike place
Coming out of that difficult group stage against some of the very best rosters in the world during their Club World Cup stint, there was no “soft landing” of sorts for our Seattle Sounders FC getting back into regular season play. This first match back comes against an Austin FC side that is tied with them in points on the year and sits just below them in the Western Conference table, so the Sounders needed to try and continue their climb from before that tournament that was somewhat spoiled by frustrating losses to Minnesota and Vancouver. Another factor going against Seattle in this contest was the fact that they were down to just one healthy centerback for this match, as their entire availability report saw defenders listed as out. It would be up to Jackson Ragen and Alex Roldan, typically a defender that plays outside, to hold down the middle of the Sounders defense. It wasn’t the greatest of circumstances coming into this match for Seattle, but the Sounders have been able to respond to tests time and time again, especially so in front of their home fans.
The first half saw Seattle dominate in chances and possession, seemingly knocking on the door early on and even when they weren’t driving towards dangerous possession, the Sounders were able to make the right defensive decisions in order to regain the ball. A ball over the Austin defense and through to Danny Musovski in the tenth minute nearly saw Seattle break the scoreless wait with a shot that clanked off keeper Brad Stuver’s legs, but it couldn’t navigate over the line and instead hit the post to where it could be cleared away. The Sounders nearly received a gift on that clear attempt, as Austin defender Brendan Hines-Ike hit the ball squarely towards his own net, but to his luck it also hit the post and went sailing outside of the box. Instead of striking early, Seattle had to settle for finding their first score of the match in the dying moments of the first half.
Moving with numbers in transition, winger Paul Rothrock was able to take a long ball ahead an Austin defender on the outside of the box before firing a curling cross to the far post. Waiting there, patient and unmarked, was Jesús Ferreira to firmly boot the ball into the empty net as Stuver wasn’t aware that there was anyone behind him waiting on the far post. For a player like Ferreira, who has struggled to create production early into his tenure with the club, it was a gratifying moment that helped not only start his two goal contribution night but also gave the Sounders the upper hand moving forward.
“It’s exciting to score again and to be able to assist and to have a good game, in general. What we learned from the Club World Cup is intensity is going to be key”
Seattle Sounders FC forward Jesús Ferreira celebrates his first half goal as defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi runs to join him in the clubs 2-0 victory over Austin FC on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at Lumen Field. (Photo by Andy Glass for Circling Seattle Sports)
Putting the game away
Seattle was able to double their lead early into the second half off a strong build up that began deep within their own half. The Sounders backline was able to work the ball up the right hand side of the pitch, combining for easy one touch passes with a swiftness that Austin couldn’t catch up to. Ferreira was able to find a streaking Danny Musovski on a through ball, playing him in stride so that he could take advantage of the one-on-one situation he was in. Playing with his food in a way, Musovski calmly used a right foot shot at an angle to beat Stuver far post.
“We were feeling the pressure. Three were against some really good teams, but still, that had an effect on us. We wanted to make sure that we got back on the right foot. To be at home and have the fans, it set us up in a good way.”
Seattle Sounders FC forward Danny Musovski celebrates his second half goal in the clubs 2-0 victory over Austin FC on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at Lumen Field. (Photos by Andy Glass for Circling Seattle Sports)
Seattle was looking to continue pouring on to their two goal lead after the Musovski score, as midfielder Obed Vargas unleashed a shot from distance in the 63rd minute that threatened but couldn’t find itself on target and a few headers in the early minutes after the 70th mark from Jackson Ragen at least challenged Stuver in goal. The Sounders were able to dominate possession and chances, defending soundly to prevent any real opportunities on goal from Austin throughout the match, and Seattle pushed themselves to fifth place in the Western conference table in a victory that snapped their losing skid.
More photos from the Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 victory over Austin FC on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at Lumen Field. (Photo by Andy Glass for Circling Seattle Sports)
A solid way to re-enter MLS play
Coming off three solid performances against some of the very best clubs in the world during their stint in this years Club World Cup, our Sounders got back into MLS regular season play with a satisfying victory over an Austin team that was essentially bearing down on them in the Western conference. For Jesús Ferreira to have a hand in both goals tonight and Seattle to record a clean sheet down to just the one healthy centerback, it’s a satisfying victory for them to take home and to kick regular season play back off. The Sounders possess plenty of talent to be able to make a deep run in the MLS Cup playoffs, the issue has just been getting them to click as an entire unit whether that be when they’re actually on the field or in dealing with injuries throughout the 2025 campaign.
Quick Sounders notes
30,101 was the announced attendance at Lumen Field for this Saturday night MLS regular season contest between two Western conference foes in Austin FC and our Seattle Sounders FC.
The Green elevator won tonight’s Sounders Space Needle race
2025 Leaderboard, so far
Aqua: 3
Blue: 3
Green: 2
With the result, Seattle moves up to fifth place in the Western Conference with 29 points (8-6-5). The win ends a two-match losing streak in league play.
Tonight’s match marked the return to MLS play for Seattle after bowing out of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ in the Group Stage. Seattle fell to Brazilian side Botafogo, Spanish power Atlético Madrid and 2025 UEFA Champions League winner Paris-Saint Germain.
Jesús Ferreira’s goal in first-half stoppage time was his second of the season, also scoring last month against San Diego FC. He now has seven career goals against Austin FC in regular season play, the most among all players in MLS history.
Ferreira also has 55 regular season goals in his career, one shy of Landon Donovan for the most goals scored before the age of 25.
Paul Rothrock and Albert Rusnák earned assists on Ferreira’s strike, their fifth and fourth in all competitions, respectfully.
With his assists, Rusnák became the 13th player in MLS history with at least 65 goals and 65 assists.
Danny Musovski’s goal in the 54th minute was his sixth in MLS play and seventh in all competitions, both good for second on the team. His six goals in league play set a new single-season career high, previously set at five goals in 2020 and 2023.
Ferreira recorded the assist on Musovski’s goal, his team-leading eighth in all competitions.
Stefan Frei recorded his sixth shutout of the MLS campaign tonight and the 122nd of his career, second in league history (Nick Rimando, 154). The goalkeeper also recorded his 999th regular season save, one shy of joining Rimando as the only goalkeepers with at least 1,000 saves for one club.
The Rave Green have only lost one match at home during the MLS campaign (6-1-2).
Defenders Nouhou and Jonathan Bell were unable to play in tonight’s match after receiving red cards in the last MLS match against Vancouver on June 8.
What’s next?
Following tonight’s home victory over Austin FC, their first win since May 28th following five consecutive losses across MLS and Club World Cup play, our Seattle Sounders FC continue a stretch of four home matches across five games following the Club World Cup. The second match of those four at home comes on Sunday, July 6th against the Columbus Crew with a kickoff time of 2PM pacific time that will be broadcast live on Apple TV+, Apple TV - MLS Season Pass and sent over the radio airwaves on -. The Crew, as of tonight, sit at fourth in the Eastern Conference table and have won back-to-back games with a 2-1 victory over Vancouver and a 3-1 result over Atlanta. The Crew have a tough battle against Philadelphia, who currently sits atop the Eastern conference, tomorrow before this match against the Sounders. Seattle holds the advantage in the head-to-head historical record, holding a 8-5-5 record against Columbus while owning the goal battle by a ratio of 28-21 as well.
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Check out our previous Seattle Sounders FC articles here.
Check out our previous articles written by Charles Hamaker here.
Cover photo and photos in this article by Andy Glass. Check out his previous work with CSS here, and his portfolio here.
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