Playing with a man advantage for 30 minutes the Seattle Sounders looked dominant, yet failed to win. They gave up the tying goal to Fredy Montero while holding that advantage. Montero’s goal at 64’ drew Vancouver Whitecaps level to 1-1. Seattle would create numerous chances, but none were effective.
It was the tenth straight match that Seattle went undefeated. The Sounders are now alone at first in the Western Conference and tied on points with Chicago Fire for fourth in the Shield race.
Seattle played up a man because Tony Tchani earned two yellows in just eight minutes. Vancouver had trouble dealing with Seattle’s speed in possession. Three of the ‘Caps four yellows came trying to stop that gameplan.
In Victor Rodriguez’ first appearance as a Sounders player he showed excellent technical skills and contributions to a dominant possession game. Seattle’s first half was a combination of possession and up-field pressure that put the Vancouver Whitecaps in uncomfortable spaces where they were forced to foul often. V-Rod was fouled and while playing through advantage fouled again, this time in the area. Ricardo Salazar called for the penalty.
Nicolas Lodeiro nailed the penalty to open scoring.
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— Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) August 24, 2017
Both Will Bruin and Kelvin Leerdam were found in great spaces, each missing two of Seattle’s best chances. Victor Rodriguez attempted to score on a direct kick from about 25 yards out and Nouhou tried to chip the keeper from wide and far. Those wasted opportunities were part of a total of 25 total shots, 17 from within the area.
That first half dominance was without Designated Player Clint Dempsey (bench), bought down DP Osvaldo Alonso (bench), and TAM player Roman Torres (In Seattle).
Both Dempsey and Alonso entered in the second half. It was Aaron Kovar’s late sub (84’) that inserted the most energy and effective attacks, but the Garfield product couldn’t convert his shot attempts. Instead David Ousted did what he did all night — defend his net and prevent any goals from the run of play.
Heading into the match a road point would be seen as success, but on a night with a man advantage and utter dominance across all predictive stats the single point is disappointing.
Sounders host Portland Timbers on Sunday at 6:30 PM (FS1). They cannot win the Cascadia Cup that night.