Sounders at Sporting KC, recap: First point earned in 2018

Seattle Sounders waited until matchday four to score and to earn a point. They did it on the road against the best team in the Western Conference while a DP and two TAM players were unavailable. Brian Schmetzer had to count on youngsters Alex Roldan and Handwalla Bwana for vital minutes, but it was the core of the remaining team that earned the two goals and held on for the 2-2 lead.

Will Bruin drew the Sounders level three minutes into first half stoppage time. Cristian Roldan gave the club a lead, if short, in the 73rd minute. Both goals were the product of teamwork and effort.

Seattle’s defense was not as strong as usual, but giving up two goals against Sporting Kansas City is the norm this year. They continue to average two goals a game.

Key Moments

Seattle started off well, commanding pace and tactics, until Johnny Russell took the ball at Nouhou. The penalty shout was proper and Russell’s success against Nouhou was a symbol of things to come.

Will Bruin and Cristian Roldan are now co-leaders in Seattle Sounders 2018 MLS goal scoring.

Talking Points

Three Good

• A road point is always good, especially against the Western Conference leader.
• Finally goals were scored. It’s been 422 minutes in MLS play. That’s too damn long.
• Osvaldo Alonso is back, and his impact was almost immediate. He injected life into the attack, chose his tackles well and remains a key leader on the team.

Two Bad

• Nouhou struggled on defense, essentially to blame for both goals against. Late in the match he struggled to get back, but that was likely due to injury. At one point he and Stefan Frei exchanged words with Nouhou seeming to act as if Frei was to blame for Nouhou allowing Russell to get a header.
• Handwalla Bwana didn’t offer himself into effective spaces. His touches were decent, but he do better getting the ball in spaces and moving into attacking spaces.

Lineup

Stefan Frei; Nouhou, Chad Marshall, Roman Torres, Jordan McCrary; Cristian Roldan, Gustav Svensson; Alex Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Handwalla Bwana; Will Bruin

Subs

68’ Osvaldo Alonso on for Handwalla Bwana

88’ Magnus Wolff Eikrem on for Alex Roldan

Unused Subs

Meredith, Alfaro, Delem, Wingo, Neagle

Goals

34’ Sánchez from the penalty spot

45+3’ Bruin assisted by Marshall and Lodeiro

73’ C.Roldan assisted by Bruin and A.Roldan

78’ Zusi assisted by Medranda

Man of Match Poll