The bad news is that the Seattle Sounders ( 7-9-4,25 points) ‘ winless streak continued; the Rave Green’s last MLS win was a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on ay 13th. Yes, before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Tourney, the tournament is in the rearview mirror while the Sounders continue their search for an MLS victory. The good news is that the Sounders’ eight-game MLS losing streak is over. Hard times for the Rave Green to feel good about a 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati (8-6-7-31pts) The hope for Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer is that his injury-depleted squad turned the corner with a come-from-behind goal that salvaged a road gam point,
” Look, you know, this season, we still have a long way to go. I mean, we re still getting guys back. We still got a few you guys dinged up,’ said Schmetzer in his post-game press conference. “ I believe the foundation was laid even, you know, maybe the game before against Austin, because the second half was good. This was a classic Sounders road victory. A lot of times, I say it draws like a loss, but this feels like a win. “
SAME OLD STORY
Injuries and conceding the first goal have been the constants in the Sounders’ free fall to third-to-last in the Western Conference standings. Schmetzer has not started the same lineup in two consecutive games this season. Against FC Cincinnati, it was a youth-laden lineup that saw Paul Rothrock wear the captain’s armband.d
Schmetzer’s strategy for his young guns was to use Rothrock and Carli as wingbacks who could put pressure on the Cincinnati backline, with Kossa-Reinzi pushing up on the right side to create an overload for Gomez and DeRosario in an advanced attacking position. With Kossa-Reinzi pushing up, the Sounders employed a backline of three to simplify their defense, with Kingston and Brunell playing disciplined defense.
“The tactics were to simplify and match up against Cincinnati. It showed the flexibility and the players understanding the different tactics for different opponents, which is, you know, a sign of a smart soccer team,’ said Schmetzer.
Sailor and Hawkins were tested early and often by the intricate movement of FC Cincinnati’s striker duo of Tom Barlow and Kenji Mboma Dem, and the ever-elusive Brazilian magician midfielder Evander. It was Evander who scored the game’s first goal in the 24th minute. Goal keeper Andrew Thomas made the initial save on Mboma Dem’s shot, which bounced to Bryan Ramirez, who saw his shot blocked off the line by Rothrock and fell to Evander, who rifled the ball into the back of the net.
SOUNDERS HOLD STEADY
After the goal, Rothrock gathered the team and injected belief and resolve into them. The Sounders held their ground and went into halftime down 1-0. The continued resolve and belief saw the Sounders start the second half on the front foot and find a foothold in the game. Sensing the belief and optimism, Schmetzer injected some experience and switched formations. In the 61s minute, Nouhou replaced Carli, and Brunell gave way to Danny Musoviski. Schmetzer employed a 4-4-2 formation to gain more possession and have his two strikers play off each other—the change tipped the game in the Sounders’ favor. The Sounders had more possession, found pockets to exploit in the FC Cincinnati defense, and created chances.
The attempts were half-chances until the 77th minute, when Schmetzer threw caution to the wind. Albert Rus ack replaced Lopez, and DeRosario made way for Alex Roldan, who occupied one of the midfield positions. Rusnack pushed up and played under Musoviski. Rothrock pushed up to a true winger position to give support and create space for Musoviski and Rusnack in the middle.
MIDAS TOUCH
The tactics worked like a charm. In the 2nd minute, the Sounders leveled the game. Nouhou’s a l-or-nothing poke poked the ball to Kingston, who slotted it to Rusnak, who was galloping on the left primary assist zone. Rusnak looked up and slotted the ball into the goal box to an onrushing R ze, who slotted the ball home for the equalizer. Both teams had several chances to nick a win, but it was not to be as the sides split the spoils.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome of the game, and again, I thought we could have won it at the end. You know, we had a couple of chances. Obviously, they had a couple of chances, and Andrew stood up big tonight. He was very , very large. I had a ve y good performance,’ said Schmetzer.
GAME NOTES
MATCH NOTES
- With the result, Seattle sits in 11th place in the Western Conference at time of writing with 25 points (7-9-4).
- Kossa-Rienzi scored his third goal of the season in the 83rd minute, all in MLS play, with Albert Rusnák providing his team-leading seventh assist, also all in league action.
- Tonight was just the fourth meeting between the two sides, with the series tied 1-1-2.
- The loss ends Seattle’s losing streak at eight matches.
- Tacoma Defiance players Edson Carli, Xavi Gnaulati, Rafael Jauregui and Mark Bronnik were available tonight via Short-Term Agreement. Carli started the match – his debut for the First Team.
- Seattle now returns home to face Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, August 29 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (1:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – FC Cincinnati 1
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Venue: TQL Stadium
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistants: Michael Barwegen, Lyes Arfa
Fourth Official: Chris Penso
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
Weather: 70 degrees and clear
Attendance: 25,513
SCORING SUMMARY
CIN – Evander 24’
SEA – Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (Albert Rusnák) 83’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Ryan Sailor (caution) 38’
CIN – Bryan Ramírez (caution) 64’
SEA – Peter Kingston (caution) 77’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Andrew Thomas; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Stuart Hawkins, Ryan Sailor, Antino Lopez (Albert Rusnák 77’); Peter Kingston, Snyder Brunell (Danny Musovski 61’); Sebastian Gomez (Kim Kee-hee 90+1’), Edson Carli* (Nouhou 61’), Paul Rothrock – Captain; Osaze De Rosario (Alex Roldan 77’)
Substitutes not used: Stefan Frei, Xavi Gnaulati*, Rafael Jauregui, Mark Bronnik*
*Tacoma Defiance player available via Short-Term Agreement
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 14
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 7
FC Cincinnati – Roman Celentano, Andrei Chirila, Miles Robinson, Samuel Gidi; Bryan Ramírez (Pavel Bucha 73’), Tah Brian Anunga (Obinna Nwobodo 89’), Evander, Gerardo Valenzuela, Ender Echenique (Alvas Powell 89’); Kenji Mboma Dem (Kévin Denkey 59’), Tom Barlow (Ayoub Jabbari 73’)
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Nick Hagglund, Teenage Hadebe, Kyle Smith
Total shots: 17
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 7
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 9
Saves: 2
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