Russell’s hat trick helps Sporting beat Sounders, snap skid

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – One healthy player is all Sporting Kansas City needed to defeat the Seattle Sounders.

Midfielder Johnny Russell has been one of two mainstays in the Sporting KC lineup this season, as the team has been riddled with injuries. For the match against Seattle at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, KC had 10 players out due to injuries and its leading goal-scorer serving a one-game suspension.

It didn’t matter, even against a healthier and more rested Sounders team.

Russell carved up Seattle’s defense for a hat trick in Sporting KC’s 3-2 victory. It’s Russell’s second hat trick in his two MLS seasons.

“It was essentially the same goal, every goal,” said Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan. “That’s the most disappointing part, because our game plan was to shut down Russell, and all of a sudden he scores a hat trick.”

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer switched his tactic back to an offensive attack after playing more defensively in a road draw at Philadelphia last week. Yet, it was Sporting KC (3-4-5) that pressured Seattle to start the match.

Keeper Stefan Frei had two key saves in the opening four minutes for Seattle. Russell found his first goal outside the penalty box in the 29th minute off an assist from Yohan Croizet. The latter started in place of Krisztian Nemeth, who served a suspension from a red card in a draw against Vancouver last week.

Russell’s second goal was even more impressive; he cut right through the Sounders’ defense, knifing the ball between Frei and Roman Torres and scoring in first-half stoppage time.

“The first half killed us mentally and physically,” Roldan said.

Sounders defender Kelvin Leerdam was able to spin away from a defender and get a cross to Raul Ruidiaz for a goal with KC keeper Tim Melia out of the box in the 63rd minute. It closed the gap to 2-1.

But Russell cut the celebration short with his third goal, waiting patiently behind Seattle’s defense for a left-footed shot that cut through the sliver of space between Frei and the far post. Roldan faulted himself for a sloppy giveaway that helped create Russell’s score.

“Hopefully the next time we can establish some possession better because if you’re chasing the ball, it’s going to be tough,” Leerdam said. “In the first half, we chased it too much and it cost us two goals. …We gave the ball away way too easy.”

Leerdam headed in a goal off a set piece for Seattle in the 71st minute. The Sounders (7-2-5) just couldn’t find another chance to avoid suffering their first defeat since April against MLS-leading Los Angeles FC.