After their defeat to local rivals Portland, Seattle took a trip east to face the New England Revolution with the aim of breaking their seven game winless run. Seconds from the end the Seattle faithful may have thought that they had overcome this slump, but only to see the ball in the back of the net and three points turn to one.
Sigi Schmid made three changes to the side that lost in Portland, Adam Johansson returned to the side in the place of Jeff Parke. Patrick Ianni also entered in place of Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and one enforced change because of the sending off to Fredy Montero, saw Andy Rose bulk up the midfield.
Seattle laid out a different formation in the absence of Montero, with Rosales playing just behind Eddie Johnson.
Seattle started off cautiously, trying to keep the game as tight as possible for the first 15 minutes, but fell behind to a blatant offside goal in the 12th minute as Saër Sène slotted home from two yards out. After a miss hit from Brettschneider rebounded back to him and he slotted the ball through to Sène who was so far offside it was unbelievable that the goal stood. The officials in the game will never get respected when such poor decisions are allowed to stand.
Seattle then showed the spirit that they had been lacking in the last few MLS games, and drew level in the 23rd minute after great work from Rosales to win the ball off the Rev’s defense and put a perfect cross into the box for Eddie Johnson to header home for his sixth goal of the season.
Within 15 minutes, Seattle had turned their deficit around and took the lead for the first time in a game since May 9th, with Johnson heading home again for his second of the night and seventh of the season.
After another cross from Rosales towards Johnson skipped through to the far side of the box, Burch picked up the loose ball and with precision found the head of the rising Johnson to head past Reis and head into the locker room with the lead.
At the half Seattle lost another keeper to injury with Weber having to be substituted and Meredith entering.
Seattle played well within the second half, playing the ball around and limiting New England’s chances at goal. In the 89th minute Seattle were nearly undone by a Cardenas shot, but Meredith had it covered. But the defense fell a sleep in the 3 minute of 4 added on when substitute Diego Fagundez headed home for the equalizer and another last minute draw for New England.
Seattle now face a tough test away at Rio Tinto as they take on Real Salt Lake, and will be hoping that they can break this long streak without a win and return back to Seattle with 3 points.
But one thing is for sure; Sounders need to focus on getting a tight back four and work on not conceding on sloppy plays.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
