Sounders and LAFC battle to 1-1 draw
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Sounders and top seeded LAFC battled to a 1-1 draw at Lumen Field. Early on it looked like Los Angeles may enforce their will, as a team standing atop the table in the West. But after the 20-minute mark, the Sounders found their footing and launched attack after attack. Seattle missed a few golden opportunities which may have come back to haunt them. A draw against this Los Angeles team is more than acceptable.
The Sounders starters (Photo @SoundersFC on Twitter)
Albert Rusnak continues to pay dividends
Albert Rusnak was one of the biggest free agent signings in MLS history, and boy is he improving an already good Seattle team. While most of Rusnak’s role with the Sounders has been an under the radar yet effective one, today he made an impact on the scoreboard. Los Angeles keeper Maxime Crepeau made a mistake, telegraphing his pass. Rusnak read the pass the entire way, and looked like a heat seeking missile as he intercepted the pass. Rusnak took one stride and fired, launching the ball past Crepeau and giving Seattle a lead in the 57th minute. Rusnak scored his first MLS regular season goal and seemingly gave Seattle the life they needed to finish the match.
Fredy Montero brings the ball up (Photo @soundersFC on Twitter)
Tough defensive performance from Sounders almost nets shutout
The Sounders back line and goalkeeper Stefan Frei were tasked with containing the league's best team on paper. Los Angeles came into this game with a 13-goal differential, and sitting atop the league in record. For 78 minutes, the Sounders back four and goalkeeper Stefan Frei held tough, including several great saves by Frei. Frei had an excellent performance, including a magnificent double save in the 63rd minute. In the 78th minute, coming off of a Seattle goal kick, Los Angeles was able to gain possession. Some headers by the away side bounced around, and the final ball by Cristian Arango floated over Frei to equalize.
Nico Lodeiro tries to center a ball (Photo @soundersFC on Twitter)
Acceptable result against a good club
Considering the performance by Seattle’s back four and Frei, it’s tough to swallow. Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer said himself that the locker room was quiet after the match due to the late equalizer. With that being said, this is a solid result against the best team on paper in MLS. Considering the fact that Raul Ruidiaz was not available as well, I can consider this a respectable result. This is something to continue to help Seattle building as they head into their next match.
What's next?
The Sounders will go again on Saturday, June 25th against Sporting Kansas City. There is some history here, considering the last match against these two teams at Lumen Field in 2021. This is another noon kickoff, and Seattle should expect three points considering that Kansas City is the worst team in the Western Conference, points wise.