Coming into the Atlanta United match on Sunday, most of the pregame conversation was about the Seattle Sounders’ newly signed Designated Player Raúl Ruidíaz. Based on everything Brian Schmetzer had said in the lead up, the expectation was if the Peruvian was available that he’d play at least some role.
So why didn’t he? You can blame Jordan McCrary’s sending off in the 63rd minute and the Sounders’ decision to prioritize securing a point rather than gambling that they could get all three.
“The only reason why he did not come on was because after the second yellow,” Schmetzer said after the game.