The Seattle Sounders didn’t find the net, but earned a clean sheet in their road matchup with FC Dallas, eventually settling for a 0-0 draw in Saturday’s battle between Western Conference playoff contenders at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Both sides found chances difficult to come by throughout the match, with Mauro Diaz notching perhaps FCD’s best opportunity of the evening with a first-half shot that Stefan Frei pushed wide. Clint Dempsey nearly found a go-ahead tally for Seattle in the 70th minute with a shot from the top of the area, but it sailed just high. The Sounders settled for the road point. the fourth straight draw for the Rave Green dating back to their 1-1 deadlock against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 23.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Unbeaten streak moves to 13
It certainly wasn’t the prettiest of matches, but the Sounders kept their club-record unbeaten streak rolling with the result, making it 13 consecutive matches since their last defeat to New York City FC on June 17. Seattle is 6-0-7 in that timeframe — maybe a few more draws than head coach Brian Schmetzer would like, but still an impressive run under any circumstances.
Marshall-less backline holds
The Sounders were without a crucial member of their backline for the match, as veteran center back Chad Marshall was held out of the contest due to a hamstring strain. Without the three-time MLS Defender of the Year, Gustav Svensson deputized beside Roman Torres and performed admirably, helping the Seattle defense neutralize an FCD side rife with talented attackers.
RSL up next
If the Sounders are to move that unbeaten streak to 14, they’ll have to do so on the road for the second straight week. Seattle has another Western Conference road clash next on the docket, this time against a Real Salt Lake that struggled early in the year but has looked better of late under new head coach Mike Petke. That showdown will take place at Rio Tinto Stadium on Sept. 23.
