It has been a frustrating evening for the Seattle Sounders, who have dominated play but still found themselves trailing early in the second half. But the tide may have turned.
After Clint Dempsey drew a yellow on Pedro Morales by bursting into the box, he deferred to Andreas Ivanschitz on the free kick from about 20 yards out.
Ivanschitz made that faith pay off, blasting a left-footed past David Ousted.
It was the first time Ivanschitz had been allowed to take a free kick within shooting range.