Kim Kee-hee and Stefan Frei combined for a wild defensive stand at the death, allowing the Seattle Sounders to preserve a scoreless draw against Cascadia Cup rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Saturday.
The contest was scoreless in the game’s dying moments when the Whitecaps broke loose on a counterattack and substitute Joaquin Ardaiz lashed a shot that was saved by a diving Frei. The shot deflected to Inbeom Hwang on the far post, and Kim dove to block the shot. Kim was initially whistled for a penalty kick and given a yellow card, but referee Robert Sibiga called if off following Video Review and rescinded Kim’s caution.
Neither side had many chances in the first half, but the Sounders’ attack picked things up shortly after second-half kickoff, with Chad Marshall having one shot cleared off the line and Raul RuidÃaz having another denied by a good reaction save from Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
Seattle had its share of chances through the rest of the second half, but it was the Whitecaps who looked destined to take the lead in the 76th minute when a deflected cross bounced on frame and looked headed for the net. Frei dove for a sprawling save to paw the ball away, keeping the match a scoreless deadlock and setting the stage for the wild sequence in second-half stoppage.
The Sounders move to 3-0-1 on the season, their best start in MLS history. Seattle comes home to host Real Salt Lake next Saturday (7 p.m. PT; JOEtv, YouTube TV, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
THREE TAKEAWAYS
FREI-KING RIDICULOUS
The Sounders don’t get this point if not for the heroics of their stalwart goalkeeper, whose two acrobatic swats of Vancouver shots salvaged the result. Seattle’s attack has rightfully gained most of the headlines following the club’s explosive first three games, but don’t forget about the veteran goalkeeper and 2016 MLS Cup MVP.
GRIND IT OUT
After a roaring start to their 2019 season that saw the club bag 10 goals in three matches, it was the opposite experience at BC Place on Saturday. The Sounders struggled to break down what proved to be a formidable and disciplined Vancouver defense. The attack looked more like its early-season self in the second half, and Seattle will be frustrated to not have found the net.
MARSHALL MILESTONE
On a night where defense ruled, it was a milestone appearance for Seattle stalwart center back Marshall, who made his 400th career MLS start on Saturday. The three-time MLS Defender of the Year has the second-most starts for a field player in league history, behind only Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman, who currently stands at 437.
