Sounders earn third draw in as many games against Eastern Conference opponents

The Seattle Sounders were held scoreless by Red Bull New York as the Rave Green still remain winless in MLS since May. Red Bull goalkeeper Ethan Horvath denied the Sounders on six occasions, with a couple full stretch saves to keep his side in the match. Andrew Thomas had to come up big with four saves of his own, including one late in stoppage time to save the game from being a loss.

Despite not winning a game in months, the Sounders have at least taken a draw in three straight games. Coming after a seven-match losing streak, those draws don’t feel quite as bad. Still with the playoffs only looming closer, Brian Schmetzer’s squad needs to get wins instead of draws. Tonight felt like one they let slip away.

“There was a lot of chances that we created that I thought we could’ve scored…,” said Brian Schmetzer about the result of the match, “…Some positives, but the pragmatic side of me says we dropped another couple of points and we need to start getting some wins.”

Jon Brennan / House of Sounders

Jordan Morris made his first start for the Sounders since July and looked to be in great form. His movement on and off the ball created the best chances of the match for the Sounders. He got in behind the defense on two occasions. A poor touch got the ball away from him on the first chance while his second chance was denied by the outstretched glove of the keeper. Morris would sub off at half-time as he was on a minutes restriction.

“He was on a time limit of 45 minutes,” said Brian Schmetzer on Jordan Morris. “It wasn’t an easy conversation. We had to talk to Jordan (Morris) at half-time because he could have played another 10 minutes…Jordan was very good, very effective in the first half so that was a big positive.”

Pre-Game

The Sounders entered the match still looking for their first win in MLS since May. Despite the struggle, the Sounders have earned points in their last two matches. Most recently it was a 2-2 draw at home against Chicago.

Injuries have been the biggest talking point during this stretch of poor form. Heading into the match against Red Bull New York, the Sounders only had five players out of the match (surprisingly their lowest in months). Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, and Hassani Dotson all returned against Chicago, and Paul Arriola was lifted off the injury report prior to this match.

With only 12 games remaining after tonight’s match, the Sounders are starting to get desperate for points. Now three points outside the playoffs in the Western Conference, the Sounders need to find wins and especially at home.

Jon Brennan / House of Sounders

Key Moments

37’: INJURY – SEA, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi

Takeaways

It was clear from the opening whistle that this Sounders team had been missing a very crucial player during this long stretch of winless games. Cristian Roldan made his first start since leaving for the World Cup and he was as influential as you can be on the pitch. It is no secret that Roldan is the engine that makes this squad run, but when he plays it is clear that this team needs him to operate on a high level.

Jordan Morris was also making his first start in a couple months, and he looked like he had regained some confidence. He was making consistent runs behind the defense and created multiple chances when doing so. He still struggles to finish with his left foot, as he has his whole career, but the positives were there. No other winger on the Sounders is making the type of runs that Morris makes. His movement creates space for the midfield to operate, and allows for the striker up top to find space just in front of the centerbacks.

Those positives being said, it was a match the Sounders should have won. They had multiple chances that they just had to score. Paul Rothrock missed a sitter on the far post. Sebastian Gomez missed one from close range. Albert Rusnak missed one from six yards out. Paul Arriola hit the crossbar in the final seconds.

There are only 12 games remaining for the Sounders. They sit just three points behind San Diego in 9th and four points behind Portland in 8th. The opportunity is there for the Sounders to make a late-season push for the playoffs but they need to win games to get there. They ended their losing skid, but now have drawn three straight. They have still gone without a win since May. Time is starting to run out this season.

Jon Brennan / House of Sounders

What’s Next

The Sounders will head on the road next weekend to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Galaxy defeated the New England Revolution 2-1 at home and passed the Sounders in the standings, moving up to 12th place in the Western Conference. The Sounders now sit in 13th place, just two points above Austin in 14th.

Sounders’ newest star forward Dejan Joveljic will return to Los Angeles, a place he called home in MLS from 2021-2024. Most notably he scored the winning goal against the Sounders in the 2024 MLS Western Conference Final before scoring in MLS Cup to help the Galaxy win their sixth league title.

Match Stats

Score: Sounders 0 – 0 New York

Venue: Lumen Field

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 69°F (20°C)

Attendance: 31,691

Referee: Ricardo Fierro

Possession %: 53 – 47

Shots (on target): 20 (6) – 8 (4)

Corners: 9 – 7

Saves: 4 – 6

Fouls: 11 – 15

Yellow Cards (Red): 1 (0) – 3 (0)