The Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas played to a scoreless draw on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Stefan Frei came up with a huge save in the sixth minute when he dove to his left and parried away a shot from Eugene Ansah.
Albert Rusnák was inches away from giving the Sounders the lead in the 27th minute when he received the ball at the top of the box, spun and fired a right-footed shot that just skipped past the far post.
Three minutes later, Jordan Morris danced through the left side of the box and shot toward the far post, but goalkeeper Maarten Paes got just enough of it to deflect it wide.
Cristian Roldan had an opportunity in the 41st minute when Morris picked him out on the far post, but Roldan’s effort went wide.
Frei made another brilliant stop in the 49th minute when Petar Musa unleashed a shot from distance, but the veteran Frei dove to his right and pushed it wide.
Dallas nearly opened the scoring again four minutes later when Dante Sealy picked out Sebastian Lletget on a cross at the back post, but his header was off target.
The Sounders had a nearly identical play in the 59th minute when Roldan picked out Morris at the back post, but his header went wide of the net.
The Sounders finished with a 56-44 edge in possession, were even in shots on goal with two and ended ahead in Expected Goals at 1.5-0.9.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Back-to-back clean sheets
After blanking CF Montréal 5-0 last week, Seattle posted its second straight shutout. The clean sheet was the Sounders’ third in seven matches.
João Paulo gaining steam
After missing the beginning of the season with a hip injury and making his 2024 debut last week, João Paulo came on as a substitute for the second straight match. The Brazilian entered for Josh Atencio in the 65th minute and helped lock down central midfield.
Cascadia clash awaits
The Sounders return to Lumen Field to host the Vancouver Whitecaps next Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS) in their first match of the Cascadia Cup on the season.