The Seattle Sounders earned a road draw against Sporting KC, although they certainly were expecting more. SKC, who sit last in the Western Conference and tied for last overall, were able to sneak away with a draw despite being outmatched in almost every capacity. The Sounders ultimately were their own worst enemy, gifting a goal to the home team which turned out to be very costly.
Both squads wore blue kits for an early Saturday morning matchday. Well, MLS lists the Sounders’ Salish Sea kit as “Dark Green” so I guess by technicality it isn’t a real kit clash. On TV the home side’s light blue kit looked more like white, so there wasn’t much of a clash after all.
The Sounders held the ball for the opening two minutes of the match. Sporting was unable to regain possession after the opening kickoff. The early pressure from the Sounders was influential on the match.
In the 2nd minute, Alex Roldan sent a cross into the box looking for the run of Jesus Ferreira. The ball went high for Ferreira but was flicked on off the defender, falling to a wide open Paul Rothrock toward the far post. Rothrock slotted the ball past former Sounder Stefan Cleveland to give the Sounders an early lead.
Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications
Through the first 10 minutes of the match, the Sounders had 66% possession of the ball, and nearly all of it in the SKC half of the field. The Sounders were picking apart the defense in the early stages of the match.
In the 12th minute, a lovely give and go between Jordan Morris, Danny Musovski and Ferreira created a real chance to double the lead. Ferreira’s effort was chipped over the keeper but deflected off the crossbar before being cleared.
Despite the Sounders’ dominance, it was a mistake in the back that allowed SKC back into the match. A poor pass from Cristian Roldan as he attempted to pass back to the keeper, was intercepted by SKC’s Dejan Joveljic who pounced on the chance and equalized in the 18th minute.
The equalizer was against the early run of play. Following the goal it was more of the same as the early game. Sounders controlling the ball on the attacking front. Though, no clear chances were had through the first 30 minutes.
It was Sporting KC who would have the next big chance off a counter attack in the 33rd minute. A shot from outside the box from winger Shapi Suleymanov forced a diving save from Andrew Thomas. The save was spilled and nearly fell for a second chance for the home side, but Nouhou was able to block the attempt.
Just before halftime the Sounders got one last chance. A cross from Nouhou was flicked on goal from Jordan Morris, forcing a save from Cleveland in goal. The final whistle came shortly after, and the match was level heading into the break.
Just two minutes out of the break it was a real chance for Jordan Morris. A brilliant through ball from Kalani Kossa-Rienzi found Morris 1v1 in the box, but Stefan Cleveland did just enough to push it out for a corner.
Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications
In the 52nd minute it was the Sounders again with a chance to re-take the lead. Rothrock’s cross was headed towards goal from Kossa-Rienzi but the effort was cleared off the line. The ball fell to Morris who put it to the feet of Rothrock, who forced a save and won a corner. The ensuing corner saw Cristian Roldan’s header go just over the bar. Three real chances for the Sounders all gone begging.
SKC had a chance on the counter attack in the 65th minute. A quick break saw Dejan Joveljic carry the ball forward before slipping the ball in behind to winger Capita. The effort was saved by Andrew Thomas who closed the angle quickly. The biggest chance for the home side in the 2nd half.
Just as the clock hit the 70th minute, it was the Sounders once again on the attack. A cross from Paul Arriola was blocked, however the deflection from the defender fell perfectly for Kossa-Rienzi. The young wing back took an effort on the half volley, forcing another save from Cleveland.
Jesus Ferreira was the next one up with a chance. His curled effort in the 81st minute forced a diving save from Cleveland. The former Sounder was having a phenomenal game in goal.
Neither keeper wanted to be beaten. In the 85th minute, a shot from SKC’s Taylor Calheira forced a quick reaction save from Andrew Thomas. While not being as busy as Cleveland, Thomas was making his own big saves when called upon.
The match ended without a real big chance again for either team. A disappointing result for the Sounders, who really should’ve easily gotten three points against the current last place side. The Sounders out-shot Sporting 26-10 yet at the end of the game each team had one goal, and that was the deciding factor.
The Sounders will return back home to a three-game homestand, but with all three games happening in the span of seven days. It will be a trio of Californian clubs taking the trip to Lumen Field, as the Sounders will host San Diego, San Jose, and Los Angeles Galaxy. The Rave Green are one of three MLS clubs who are still perfect at home.
(Cover Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications)
Sounders Starting XI:
(4-2-3-1)
Thomas
Kossa-Rienzi
A. Roldan
Ragen
Nouhou
Brunell
C. Roldan ©
Morris
Ferreira
Rothrock
Musovski
Substitutions:
(67’)
ON: Arriola – OFF: Rothrock
ON: Rusnak – OFF: Morris
(76’)
ON: De Rosario – OFF: Musovski
(86’)
ON: Dotson – OFF: Ferreira
ON: Kingston – OFF: Kossa-Rienzi
Scoring Summary:
SKC 0-1 SEA – 2’ Paul Rothrock (Assist: None)
SKC 1-1 SEA – 18’ Dejan Joveljic (Assist: None)
