The Seattle Sounders drew FC Dallas 1-1 at Lumen Field on Wednesday night. Fredy Montero scored his fourth goal of the season in the 72nd minute, but Franco Jara equalized in the first minute of stoppage time.
João Paulo recorded his team-leading sixth assist of the season on a beautiful free kick that Montero rose for and sent back to the far post past goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer.
The Sounders dominated from start to finish, especially in the opening 45 minutes when they recorded 11 shots (five on target) and put up 1.5 xG to Dallas’ 0.1 but were unable to take the lead.
João Paulo had the best chance of the first half when his one-timed left-footed effort from the top of the box was saved by Maurer off the near post. Kelyn Rowe and Montero each nearly opened the scoring early in the second half when their shots just skipped past the post.
Jara came on as a second-half substitute and poked home a cross in the box just after the 90th minute mark.
Seattle will battle Dallas again in two weeks when the Rave Green visit Frisco, Texas, on Aug. 18 (5:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM), but will first host Liga MX’s Tigres in the Leagues Cup on Tuesday (7 p.m. PT; ESPN2, TUDN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Refresh Needed
After dropping their previous two home matches, the Sounders looked poised to get back in the win column but were unable to hold on late. Sporting Kansas City now takes over first place in the Western Conference and have a match in hand.
Captain Cristian
Following a successful stint helping the United States national team to the Concacaf Gold Cup title, Cristian Roldan returned to the starting lineup and wore the captain’s armband for the first time in six matches. He was dynamic all game, which is a great sign for Seattle moving forward.
Lodeiro Returns
After being out since May after undergoing knee surgery, Nicolás Lodeiro returned to the matchday roster and came on for a second-half cameo. The Sounders will need his class as matches continue to come fast and furious, starting a three-match road week at the rival Portland Timbers on Aug. 15 (5:30 p.m. PT; FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
