Albert Rusnák scores twice on PKs after halftime to rally Sounders to 2-1 victory over Fire
Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák scores on a penalty kick against the Chicago Fire during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
SEATTLE (AP) — Albert Rusnák netted two goals on second-half penalty kicks, scoring the winner in stoppage time to rally the Seattle Sounders to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
Chicago (4-10-6) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute and took it into halftime on a goal by Maren Haile-Selassie. Gastón Giménez earned his second assist of the season on Haile-Selassie's fourth goal.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, left, celebrates with Albert Rusnák after Rusnák scored on a penalty kick against the Chicago Fire during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Sounders (7-7-7) pulled even early in the second half when Rusnák, who had just one goal this season entering play, scored in the 57th minute. The PK was set up when Paul Rothrock, who subbed in for Alex Roldan to begin the second half, drew a foul on Chicago's Jonathan Dean following a video review.
Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers, front, goes up for a header with Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
Rusnák's winner came in the third minute of stoppage time on a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the net. Jordan Morris drew a foul on the Fire's Mauricio Pineda to earn the PK.
Stefan Frei finished with three saves through 10 minutes of stoppage in goal for the Sounders. Chris Brady saved four shots for the Fire. Both keepers had one save in the first half.
The Fire beat the Sounders 1-0 at Soldier Field in Chicago in July of 2022 in the most recent matchup.
Seattle fell behind by two goals in its previous two matches before rallying for a 2-2 draw against the Dynamo in Houston and a 3-2 victory at home over FC Dallas.
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady clears the ball past Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, left, and Fire defender Mauricio Pineda during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
The Sounders have gone 3-0-1 since losing 1-0 on the road to Sporting Kansas City to begin the month.
The Fire have lost two straight after posting victories over the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC to open June.
Chicago returns home to host the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. Seattle will host the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting, left, and Chicago Fire defender Allan Arigoni go up for a head ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
____
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport
The Associated Press
Seattle Sounders midfielder Léo Chú volleys the ball past Chicago Fire defender Arnaud Souquet during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
Seattle Sounders midfielder João Paulo, right, and Chicago Fire midfielder Fabian Herbers go up for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
Chicago Fire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie. left, puts a shot past Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei for a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák can only watch as Chicago Fire midfielder Gastón Giménez dribbles away with the ball after a steal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)