TUKWILA, Wash. – Just hours after the Peruvian national team were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup, Raul Ruidiaz’s mind was already on his next mission.
A move to the Seattle Sounders had been in the works for many weeks for the 27-year-old striker, who has spent the past two seasons with Monarcas Morelia of Liga MX. But with his Peru team getting knocked out of the World Cup in group play, Ruidiaz was ready to make things with Seattle official in short order.
“He took a flight the night they were eliminated from Sochi, to Moscow to Seattle,” Sounders general manger Garth Lagerwey recounted at Ruidiaz’s first training session with the club on Friday. “He got here, not in 24 hours, but pretty close to start the visa process and try to get himself eligible for July 15. This is a guy that’s highly motivated. He wants to be here. He’s got some fire in the belly.”
Speaking with reporters through a translator on Friday, Ruidiaz said a move to MLS has indeed been on his mind for a while. He had discussed the league with some of his fellow Peruvians, including Orlando City’s Yoshimar Yotun, and had become increasingly convinced that Seattle was the ideal destination.
“This is an opportunity that I’ve always wanted to have,” Ruidiaz said. “I’m very, very happy to be here. It’s a league that is growing and very competitive and I wanted the opportunity to grow with the league as well.
“MLS is a league that is growing and getting attention outside of the US more and more. I specifically found out about the Sounders when I came and played here in Copa America [in 2016]. Since then I’ve been following up.”
Ruidiaz brings plenty of pedigree with him to Seattle as one of the most prolific goal scorers in Liga MX over the past two years. With the Sounders in the midst of a 2018 campaign that has seen them field an attack struggling to produce like never before in their MLS history, it would be an understatement to say his skill-set as a pure No. 9 and a proven finisher in front of goal is desperately needed.
For his part, Ruidiaz said he’s intrigued at the possibilities that exist regarding a partnership with midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, who is known as one of the league’s better facilitators.
“I knew about Nicolas Lodeiro ahead of time,” Ruidiaz said. “He’s received me very well. In fact, the whole team has received me very well. But I’m looking forward to playing with him, I know that he’s a very good playmaker. I’m looking forward to playing with him on the field and him helping me out, setting up chances so I can score.”
The question now becomes whether Ruidiaz is here in time. He’s not eligible to play until after the secondary transfer window opens on July 10. Seattle's first game after that will be July 15 against Atlanta United, and the Sounders are currently well below the playoff line with a 3-8-3 record, meaning a remarkable second-half run would have to take place in order for Seattle to get back in the playoff picture.
There’s recent precedent to suggest a surge like that is possible, however, with Lodeiro acting as that savior following the team’s 6-12-2 start in 2016 – a campaign ended with Seattle’s first-ever MLS Cup title.
It’s a feat Ruidiaz said he’s aware of, and one he’s intent on trying to replicate.
“I’m aware that when Lodeiro came over here, the situation with the club was difficult,” Ruidiaz said. “This is a similar time. I have every intention to come and provide all my support to take the team to where it should be and to be able to win titles.”
