Seattle headed into Vancouver looking to secure their place in the MLS Playoffs and also a stronger position in the Cascadia Cup, but could only manage to do one of the two as they played out for a draw after ruing their missed chances.
Seattle made one change to the side that lost at home to the Earthquakes, with Rosales finding himself back in the starting eleven in place of Zakuani, who made the bench.
So with this change it could possibly be Sounders strongest starting eleven and yet it failed to score, so is that a credit to the Whitecaps defense or is that a problem for the Sounders offence going into the 2012 playoffs.
Seattle started off early when a chance by Alonso outside the 18, just missed the up right in the 11th minute.
Just 3 minutes later, Seattle countered off a Vancouver corner, but the ball from Rosales was at an awkward height for Brad Evans who couldn’t get a touch on it to send it home.
Vancouver themselves had a shout at a penalty kick, but referee Petrescu didn’t signal anything at the teams went in at half time all square.
Vancouver then had the best change of the game so far with a 25+ yard attempt from Rochat, who forced Gspurning into a save that was palmed away, and the rebound couldn’t be tucked in.
Whitecaps then had a gifted opportunity as a ball was not cleared properly in the Sounders box and after a scramble in the box a shot from Watson was deflected away for a corner.
Seattle then had their best chance of the game so far when a corner in the 78th minute was blocked on the line after Parke toe poked it goal wards but was blocked by Lee on the line.
Vancouver then had the chance to win it at the end of stoppage time, when a cross was deflected by Miller into the path of Sanvezzo, who somehow managed to find himself unmarked in the area, but his fierce shot at goal couldn’t find the back of the net, to his teammates despair and the Sounders relief.
Seattle now head back to CenturyLink Field to host the Timbers in a massive game in the Cascadia Cup as the Sounders trail the Timbers by 2 points in the standings with the Timbers having a game in hand.
(image courtesy of soundersfc.com)
