Sounders at Houston Dynamo, 2016 recap: Nicolas Lodeiro rescues the point

Playing in heavy, hot air with questionable calls, poor defense and a sluggish attack wouldn’t stop the Seattle Sounders from continuing their lossless streak. A Nicolas Lodeiro goal in the 94th minute to level it at one. The draw with Houston Dynamo mean that Seattle are a single point below the red line (pending the San Jose result later Wednesday night).

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer started a lineup with five changes. Chad Marshall and Clint Dempsey stayed in Seattle. Andreas Ivanschitz, Jordan Morris and Joevin Jones all started on the bench to enter later.

Starters Nelson Haedo Valdez, Alvaro Fernandez, Dylan Remick, Erik Friberg and Zach Scott generated one good chance early, but settled into gummy play. Both sides spent until a wave of substitutions between 56’ and 61’ dealing with the heat.

When Morris, Jones, Andrew Wenger and Will Bruin came on both teams were more aggressive.

Jordan blew the best chance of the night when an extra touch would have rounded the keeper.

Houston quite quickly turned that error into pressure. Seattle’s defense, as they have too often this year, took strong play and threw it away. Wenger capitalized on the giveway.

Seattle was frantic at the end. Eventually it was a Ivanschitz to Joevin pass that lead to Jones flinging it to Lodeiro right about the penalty spot. Nico worked his magic.

Schmetzer managed a little bit of rest for a few of his more important players, except for Lodeiro. He has yet to lose a game since taking over as head coach.

Lodeiro now has two goals and four assists helping the Sounders earn 11 points in five matches.

The late goal will overshadow a play where the upcoming ability for video replay would help. Houston nearly scored an own goal. TV angles were not great, but one view from ROOT Sports made it look like the whole ball crossed the line.

There is no replay. Seattle merely drew 1-1.