Five quick numbers that explain Sounders’ draw with Orlando City

SEATTLE — The Seattle Sounders held a 1-0 lead against Orlando City on Wednesday night for over 70 minutes, but a late defensive lapse allowed the away side to score a last-gasp equalizer to snatch two points from Seattle’s grasp. Despite a strong defensive showing for 94 minutes, all it took was a couple silly mistakes in the dying seconds of the match for Seattle to drop to a 4-1-3 home record halfway through the season.

As usual, the scoreline is the most important number in soccer—but here are a few other stats that help paint the picture of this match.

90+4

The minute that the Sounders lost their lead and gave up two points at home against a team that had only scored five away goals all season. A late tactical foul by Roman Torres near the corner of his own box set up the free kick for Orlando, which turned out to be the last kick of the match.

17

The Sounders’ point total after 17 matches last season (1 ppg), compared to how many they have this season after the same number of games: 20 (1.18 ppg). Not that their current point total is good by any means, but it’s clearly not the end of the world. At this point in 2016, Nicolas Lodeiro hadn’t been signed and Sigi Schmid was still the head coach. If the Sounders could turn 17 points in 17 games into an MLS Cup win, there’s no reason they can’t do something special again this season.

6

The Sounders’ shots on target against Orlando, despite only scoring a single goal. Jordan Morris had a brilliant chance snuffed out because of a heavy touch, and a golden opportunity for Clint Dempsey ended in a weak shot that was easily saved. The Sounders had a first choice attack at home against a pretty average defense, but their poor finishing meant that they couldn’t kill the game off before Orlando equalized.

86.2%

Passing accuracy for Nouhou Tolo, who made his first MLS start for the Sounders at left back against Orlando City. Schmetzer apparently decided that Joevin Jones needed a rest ahead of Portland, but Nouhou had a rather good game. It was probably a combination of his style and his ability to follow his coaches’ instructions, but he adapted really well to the game and seemed to balance attack and defense really well. He never really got caught too far forward, though Jordan Morris did have to track back and help him out a couple times when he was overwhelmed. Nouhou’s only distinct mistake was losing Scott Sutter in the second half when he crossed it in to Rivas, but Frei saved the subsequent shot.

0

Number of total shots by Jordan Morris. Sure, he was playing a wide role to allow for Bruin to play more centrally, but he had a number of opportunities in which he should have at least taken a shot. His chance after shimmying past defenders and getting behind the Orlando defense after a one-two with Dempsey could have been the game changer, but his touch in the box was too heavy and Joe Bendik was all over it.

Quote of the night:

“It is a loss. It doesn’t feel like it, it is. We lost two points at home.” -Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei