Jordan Morris, Heber score as Sounders end skid vs. Real Salt Lake

Another brick was laid in the Sounders’ rebuild of their home dominance.

Crafty goals from Jordan Morris and Heber highlighted a 2-0 win against Real Salt Lake at Lumen Field on Saturday night. In addition to a second shutout of the season, the Sounders ended a four-game losing streak to RSL.

A headstrong Jordan Morris opened the scoring for the Sounders again with a header. This time he took on two Salt Lake defenders in the air, heading down an attempt between Andrew Brody and Justen Glad and past keeper Zac MacMath in the 35^th minute. Sounders fullback Alex Roldan had the cross from the right side to set up the play.

Morris is the only MLS player to open a season with a brace thrice (2019, 2020, 2023). All three of his goals to open this season are off headers.

Roldan had the assist on the second goal, too. Teammates Nico Lodeiro and Morris had crosses into the box thwarted until forward Heber knelt to slip Roldan’s cross into the keeper’s box past MacMath in the 58^th minute.

It’s Heber’s second goal in as many matches with his new team.

RSL (1-1-0) broke through the Sounders’ defense a few times early in the first half. The closest chance was a missed header by Anderson Julio in the 18^th minute. RSL had nervy moments after the Sounders went up two goals, keeper Stefan Frei easily catching a pair of screamer goals in the 80^th minute by Carlos Gomez and 82^nd by Justin Meram.

Meram had another solid look in the 86^th minute after a foul by Sounders winger Leo Chu earned the visitors a free kick. RSL didn’t profit from the good ball placement.

The Sounders were almost gifted a goal in the ninth minute when MacMath couldn’t get a grasp on a save of Lodeiro’s attempt. The ball spun out of MacMath’s hands and Heber tried to tap it into goal. Glad raced to use a sliding kick to clear the ball as it kissed the goal line.

The Sounders and most of the 30,011 in attendance wanted the play reviewed but referee Victor Rivas was firm in his decision that the ball didn’t break the plane.

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer didn’t make any changes from the starting lineup that collected a 4-0 win against Colorado on Sunday. The significant move was striker Raul Ruidiaz making his first MLS appearance of the season when he subbed on in the 81^st minute for Heber. Ruidiaz missed the league-opener due to a hamstring strain.

The Peruvian hit the post on an attempt in the 87^th minute.

RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni made one change to his starting lineup after the road win against Vancouver. He replaced defender Jasper Loffelsend for midfielder Scott Caldwell.

Mastroeni had forward Rubio Rubin back from a one-game suspension and midfielder Diego Luna from illness but only opted to utilize Luna as a sub in the 72^nd minute. Midfielder Pablo Ruiz, who started 28 matches last season, recently received his U.S. green card but the Argentine didn’t make the trip to Seattle.

Up next for the Sounders (2-0) is their first MLS road match of the season against FC Cincinnati (1-0-1) on Saturday. FCC played Orlando to a goalless draw Saturday.