Sounders vs Houston Dynamo, 2015 recap: Disappointing draw

A slow paced match did not open up until Ricardo Clark capitalized on a Tyrone Mears turnover. The former fixture on the national team opened scoring in the 65th minute. From there the Seattle Sounders knew they needed at least goal, if not more to make their 33rd match meaningful. The 82nd minute goal by Obafemi Martins engendered no celebration. He, and his teammates, knew they needed more.

The final ten minutes would not produce a winner, though Clint Dempsey got quite close on a free kick that Tyler Deric stopped. It was the Houston keeper's second great stop of Clint.

Both teams were much stronger in the final 45. Unlike many matches in Texas it sped up rather than slowed down. Both Oba and Clint had a few more chances, with Ivanschitz running centrally. Sigi used some earlier subs in order to open the game up.

Andy Rose entered for the injured Erik Friberg in the 62nd minute. Rose had one solid cross and was NFL tackled in the box when he was the target for a beautiful Ivanschitz free kick. In the 68th minute Chad Barrett replaced Gonzalo Pineda. Seattle moved to loose 3-4-3 then. The 82nd minute entrance by Zach Scott confirmed that shift as he replaced Dylan Remick.

The draw is not enough. Seattle has no path to second in the West, essentially. Their chances of hosting the play-in game fall with the single point. They must do more against Real Salt Lake when the end their regular season next week.

Seattle lacked aggression throughout the game, particularly in the first 45 minutes. "That lays with me. That was my fault," Sigi Schmid said on the field after the game.

A list of first half highlights follows;

• The Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser at halftime
• That's it