The Seattle Sounders drew Columbus Crew SC 1-1 on Sunday at Lumen Field behind first-half goals from the Crew’s Diego Rossi and the Sounders’ Paul Rothrock.
The Sounders had the match’s first chance inside three minutes when Rothrock cut a ball back from the left end line to the six-yard box, but Jesús Ferreira’s effort went over the crossbar.
A flicked-on header in the 15th minute sprang Crew forward Rossi in behind, but a tremendous recovery run and slide tackle from Jackson Ragen came in at the last minute in the box to deny the opportunity.
Rossi found the breakthrough for Columbus in the 27th minute. He tapped in a ball at the back post after a great initial through ball from Jacen Russell-Rowe found Ibrahim Aliyu in behind, and Aliyu picked out the late run of Rossi.
Seattle looked to have a chance to equalize in the 38th minute when Albert Rusnák slipped a lovely pass into Danny Musovski in the center of the box, but he couldn’t quite get the ball out from under his feet to test Evan Bush in goal.
The Sounders found their leveler in the 43rd minute when Kalani Kossa-Rienzi cut inside from his right fullback position and unbalanced the Crew back line. He then played a deft pass into the run of Rothrock on the left side of the box, and the Seattle native calmly slotted in a left-footed, one-timed shot into the back of the net.
Rusnák had a seeing-eye shot from the top of the box in the 51st minute that looked to be able to sneak inside the far post, but it skipped just wide.
One minute later, Rusnák made a marauding run down the left flank and set up Rothrock slicing through the middle of the box, but his opportunity for a brace was stonewalled by Bush.
The final third of the match was slightly stop-and-go with stoppages and neither side able to find much of a rhythm.
The Sounders were forced to see out the match with 10 men after Kossa-Rienzi picked up two yellow cards in five minutes and was sent off in the second minute of stoppage time.
Aziel Jackson had a shot for Columbus immediately after Kossa-Rienzi’s exit, but Stefan Frei was down quickly to quell the danger.
In the eight minute of stoppage time, Frei suffered a collision on a Crew free kick. The match subsequently ended while Frei was receiving treatment on the field.
The Sounders end the weekend in fifth in the Western Conference with 30 points from 20 matches. Seattle will head on the road next Saturday for a date at Children’s Mercy Park against Sporting Kansas City (5:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Home fortitude continues
The Sounders continue to be difficult to beat inside the friendly confines of Lumen Field. Seattle has lost just once through 10 MLS matches at home (6-1-3), tied for the fewest home defeats in the league.
Roldan at CB again
After a successful stint at center back last weekend against Austin FC, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer opted to start Alex Roldan in central defense yet again. While the appearance against Austin was out of necessity because of injuries and suspensions, Sunday’s selection was a testament to how much Schmetzer trusts and likes the build-up possession that Roldan provides from that role alongside Ragen.
Rothrock shines
Rothrock was influential in attack on the left wing, wreaking havoc with a goal and constantly threatening in behind. The 26-year-old now has three goals and four assists in over 1,300 minutes this season.
