Finlay sparks Austin to 2-1 victory over Sounders
Ethan Finlay scored a goal and an assist, and Austin FC handed the Seattle Sounders, who top the Western Conference, a second straight home loss with a 2-1 win.
SEATTLE — SEATTLE (AP) — Ethan Finlay scored a goal and an assist and Austin FC took the lead in the Western Conference Seattle Sounders their second home defeat in a row with a 2-1 win on Wednesday evening.
Finlay took passes from Adam Lundkvist and Emiliano Rigoni and scored in the 36th minute. Finlay’s first goal of the season gave Austin (3-5-4) a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Gyasi Zardes extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 57th minute from assists from Finlay and Jon Gallagher.
Fredy Montero brought the Sounders (7-4-3) close on goal with his goal in the 79th minute. Héber and Jordan Morris got assists for Montero’s first goalscorer of the season.
Brad Stuver closed the game with three saves, helping Austin win over Seattle for the first time after losing 0-2-2 in their last four encounters. Stefan Frei made two saves for the Sounders.
The San Jose Earthquakes are now the only team Austin has played at least four times without a win.
Austin went into the game with a 0-4-4 record in their last eight games, ending a record winning streak for the club. Austin has been ruled out in five of his last eight games.
Seattle equaled a club record set in 2015 with seven shutouts in their first 12 games, but the Sounders have conceded four goals in their last two home games after losing 2-1 to Sporting KC last week.
Seattle leads runners-up and defending champions Los Angeles FC by a point in the Western Conference standings after LAFC drew 1-1 at home with Sporting KC.
Seattle travels to Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Austin returns home to host Toronto FC on Saturday.
