Sounders score a late goal and give one up in 1-1 tie with San Jose
SOUNDERS, ’QUAKES TIE, 1-1, AFTER FRENETIC FINISH
What happened
The difference between three points and one point for the Sounders was Chris Wondolowski, who scored the equalizer in the 90th minute for San Jose on Saturday at Avaya Stadium.
Nicolas Lodeiro gave Seattle a 1-0 lead in the 84th minute to set up a wild finish that was capped by Wondolowski’s tying goal. It was the 11th goal by Wondolowski vs. the Sounders, the most by any opponent in club history.
The takeaway
This easily could have been a victory by either team, considering the missed opportunities in the final minutes. Still, the Sounders had the lead but allowed Wondolowski to get open in the six-yard box, where he finished a cross by Marco Ureña.
Points are points, and the Sounders began a three-game stretch away from CenturyLink with a tie. Not the best result, but it could have been worse if not for a save by goalie Stefan Frei, who denied Ureña at point-blank range in stoppage time.
Offensively, the timing between Lodeiro, Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris seemed off.
Added time
Lodeiro’s goal came after Dempsey took a foul just outside San Jose’s penalty box. Dempsey’s indirect kick went into the wall but the deflection game to Lodeiro, who was stationed just to the right of Dempsey. Lodeiro fired a volley into the left corner of the goal, glancing off the post for his second goal of the season.
Dempsey had a scary collision with San Jose goalie David Bingham in the first half but both players remained in the game.
Frei also made a diving save in the 42nd minute to keep the Quakes off the board in the first half.
The Sounders (1-1-3) are one of three teams in the Western Conference with six points (others: LA Galaxy, Sporting KC). San Jose (2-2-1) has seven points and is in fourth place in the conference.
Unsung hero
Ozzie Alonso showed why he’s one of the best holding midfielders in the league, regularly breaking up San Jose’s possessions by breaking up passes and winning tackles.
Quotes to note
“We’re sad because we had the game in the bag and there was only a minute left, so it feels like a loss.” — Lodeiro
“It was a little weird game. I thought at times they were good. I thought at times we were good. At times it was a lot of kickball.” — Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan.
Injury report
Sounders center back Roman Torres had to leave the game in the 15th minute after straining his left hamstring. He was replaced by Gustav Svensson.
Next game
Friday, at Vancouver Whitecaps, 7 p.m. (Ch. 13).
Darrin Beene, staff writer
This story was originally published April 8, 2017 at 10:31 PM with the headline "Sounders score a late goal and give one up in 1-1 tie with San Jose."