Seattle Sounders x vancouver Whitecaps
The Western Conference-leading Seattle Sounders FC drew 2-2 with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Lumen Field on Saturday evening thanks to Medranda's equalizer in the 70th minute. Looking for their third straight win, the Sounders settled for a point split with the Whitecaps, keeping their unblemished record at 7-0-4 on the season.
Early on, the Sounders had several good stretches of play as they went toe-to-toe with the Western Conference leaders, but the Sounders had the majority of possession and chances despite failing to put one past Crepeau. Caio Alexandre's header on a Teibert cross soared to the right of the net in the 37th minute, but the Whitecaps had an opportunity of their own to go by the wayside. Then came a near miss on a free-kick routine, when Cissoko's glancing header missed to strike the target for Seattle.
The hosts, on the other hand, broke through in the 40th minute after Atencio's outstanding defensive play set up a Sounders break. Brad Smith delivered a low cross to Ruidiaz, who finished it off for his eighth goal of the season, giving the Sounders a 1-0 lead.
That jolted Seattle into action, and they appeared as if they could add a second before the half ended, but they came dangerously close to conceding an equalizer when Cleveland was forced to make a huge save on Caicedo in stoppage time.
Vancouver, on the other hand, drew level early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Cleveland was caught off guard, leaving Dahome with a wide-open net as he beat Cissoko and scored his fourth of the season to bring his team back into contention.
The Whitecaps took the lead in the 56th minute when Dajome's cross found just enough Cavallini to roll past Cleveland and give Vancouver a 2-1 lead. Moments later, the Sounders came close to tying the game, but Cristian Roldan's shot was inches wide. Later, Ruidiaz had a wonderful opportunity to tie the game, but his shot was blocked by Crepeau, and the rebound was missed by Montero.
However, with 20 minutes remaining, the Sounders tied the game at two on a corner-kick routine courtesy of a Medranda laser beam strike. Despite a few tense moments at the end of the game, neither team was able to emerge victoriously.
[Photography by ICONIC photographer Alejandro Sanchez]
