Local connection earns win over Minnesota, puts Sounders in pole position to win Leagues Cup group

When Minnesota United boarded the plane back to St. Paul after their game against the Seattle Sounders last Friday, they must have left with a serious sense of déjà vu.

The Sounders defeated the Loons 2-0 in the opening match of the 2024 Leagues Cup group stage, just over a month after beating Minnesota 2-0 in the regular season. In each match, Jordan Morris scored first, Paul Rothrock added an insurance goal and the Loons were reduced to 10 men.

Friday’s result was just a microcosm of the form Morris and Rothrock have been in over the past few months.

“The ball he put in was perfect for me and also a great finish from him with his left foot,” Morris said of Rothrock. “Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, he brings energy. We’re really happy for him because we see the work he does every day in training. Recently (it’s been great) to see it pay off in games, scoring goals, making assists, doing a lot of little things for the team that help us win games and accepting every role he’s played.”

Head coach Brian Schmetzer added: “They’re guys that make plays. Paul’s been making plays since he came into the group in a timely and surprising way. Jordan’s been making plays for years… Well-deserved goals and assists, both players.”