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Raúl Ruidíaz says goodbye to the city of Seattle so we take a look back on the career of the Sounders legend.

"The Flea" became the top scorer in Sounders history and in the Peruvian's 7 years of service helped the Sounders to reach many of they're greatest triumphs and moments.

By demian malcher

Apr 30, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the first half against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the first half against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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Ruidiaz grew up in Villa María del Triunfo one of the toughest neighborhoods in all of Peru if not the world. A place where many are without electricity and water with high crime. Like many he poured all his effort into his passion that being soccer. At age 8 Raul Ruidiaz dipped his toes into club soccer for the 1st of many times. Joining the Universitario de Deportes youth ranks. In 2008 Ruidiaz in January he was promoted to the senior team and then loaned out to a historic football player of the Peruvian national team in the 1982 World Cup. His first pro goal was against Hijos de Acosvinchos. But the change that would go onto to define the rest of his career when ex pro wrestler turned soccer manager Argentinian Jorge Gonzáles, who turned Ruidiaz into a striker the position he'd play for the rest of his career.

In 2009 at age 19 he made his debut in the Peruvian First Division on October 4th against Total Chalaco in the Monumental, with the manager making the bold and uncommon choice to have his debut to be in a starting role. For the 09 season Ruidiaz scored 3 goals in 7 appearances playing a small part in helping his team winning the Peruvian 2009 Championship and was even called Little Messi, due to his small stature and close control allowing him to get by defenders with ease. Which is where the flea nickname comes from too.

After 66 appearances and 13 goals in Peru due to his talent on the ball and talent he showed from a young age he moved from one university to another this time now in Chile to play for the fittingly named Universidad de Chile. In his one season in Chile he had 15 appearances and 8 goals, a goal per every 2 games. But his fitness was poor so he club cut him after that one season. His journey took him next to Brazil with Coritiba but after 8 games with no goals he was sent on loan back to his original club, Universitario. What followed was one of his best spells of his career and him showing a lot of improvement. In his 1st season back he scored 21 goals in 39 appearances and winning another Peruvian title in 2013. He kept scoring goals in Peru but the titles dried up.

So in 2016 he went to Liga MX side Morelia initially on loan but in Mexico his star shined so bright the club later bought him outright. In his 1st season he had 36 appearances and 20 goals which earned him a spot on the Liga MX All-Star team, golden boot, best forward and best player of the season awards. His stay in Mexico only lasted 1 more season now having 38 appearances but still with 20 goals. But it's here we finally start on his time with the Sounders.

Beginning in 2018 he made a strong impression right off the bat by scoring 10 times in only 14 games. Quickly smashing Sounders records like He set club records for being the fastest to 10 goals in MLS play (in 14 games), and scoring in the most consecutive appearances (8 games). And he would keep up this form for the full season in 2019 that saw him score 15 goals in 26 appearances but none more notable Seattle's game clinching goal when they beat Toronto FC 3-1 in the MLS Cup final, helping the Sounders win their 2nd MLS Cup ever. And was even the top scorer in the playoffs. In the next 2 years he only got better as shown by him making the MLS All-Star team in 2021 plus 2022 and best MLS XI in 2021 and 2020. Scoring 12 goals in 2020 and 17 in 2021. But he and the Sounders most notable moment did not come on a national level but on a continental one.

In the second leg of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League Final, Sounders and UNAM were 2-2 heading to Seattle where Ruidiaz took advantage of home field advantage and came up big in the biggest moment of his career. He scocred 2 of the Sounders 3 goals in a 3-0 win that saw them officially become the best club in North America in 2022 at home. Then there was signs of decline, he only played in 18 games and scored 9 goals a good enough season to dismiss if it was a one off deal but the next year not only did he play in 18 games again he was reduced to only 5 goals. The final great moment of his Sounders career came on March 23, 2024, when he surpassed Freddy Montero's 79-goal record with the Sounders to become our all time leading goalscorer.

Early in his career the comparisons to the greatest player of all time Leo Messi and the failures from then on in Chile and Brazil would've ended the career of someone weak minded. Something Ruidiaz was not. After he got comfy again and found his feet back home getting in better form than ever then next time he left home, he was ready. Becoming the most dominant in North America scoring goals with ease in both Mexico and America. And his goals in the MLS Cup final in 19 and the 2 goals CONCACAF Champions League final in 22 made him a hero every Sounders fan will never forget. As we wish him the best of luck on wherever he goes next... unless it's Saudi Arabia.