The Seattle Sounders ( 11-7-10, 43 pts) had played two uninspiring draws and the plan was to get a fast start against Western Conference rivals LA Galaxy (7-14-6, 27 points) who were led by former Sounders coach Sigi Schmid Sunday night at CenturyLink Field.
After exchanging pleasantries. The two teams went to battle and the Sounders started on the front foot by taking it to the visitors. Clint Dempsey had good looks at the LA goal in the 12th and 14th minute but the shots were of no avail as a header went wide and a right footed shot missed the net completely. Jordan Morris nearly gave the Sounders the lead in the 21st minute when he beat LA Keeper Jon Kemin but Morris was ruled offside and the goal disallowed.
Galaxy midfielder Romain Alessandrini nearly put the visitors in front in the 17th minute when his left footed shot looked like it was headed for the back of the next until Seattle goal keeper Stefan Frei intervened and punched the shot over the bar at the last second.
Alessandrini was back at it and his cross in the 25th minute found an open Gyasi Zardes who headed the ball to the back of the net to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.
The Galaxy’s game plan was to slow down the game by committing professional fouls that would disrupt the Sounders ball session offense. LA committed 16 of the games 28 fouls.The Sounders finished with just five shots on target. The Galaxy had two shots on target. The Galaxy strategy frustrated and stymied the Sounders.
The Sounders were able to salvage a point despite the visitors hack a shack tactic. A Roman Torres cross in the 84 minute found a wide open Lamar Neagle who half volleyed the ball into the back of the Galaxy net for the equalizers.
Sounder forward Jordan Morris suffered a hamstring injury in the 60th minute of the match and was replaced by Will Bruin. Defender Roman Torres was issued a red card in the 89th minute for his tackle on Jermaine Jones and the Sounders were able to hold on and extend their unbeaten record to 12 games ( 6-0-6).
