The Seattle Sounders got a pair of goals from Harry Shipp and another from Nicolás Lodeiro, but settled for a 3-3 draw against the New England Revolution at CenturyLink Field on Saturday.
Shipp scored in just the second minute to get Seattle off to a dream start, also combining with Lodeiro to score two goals in two minutes in the second half to pace Seattle. Michael Mancienne and Gustavo Bou tallied the first two goals for the Revs, with Carles Gil converting a late penalty kick that sealed the 3-3 result.
The Sounders opened the scoring just after the match kicked off after Jordan Morris sent in a cross that trickled past the far post, allowing Shipp to sneak in and cash home the opener and give Seattle the early 1-0 lead.
Mancienne leveled, however, with a 27th-minute header off a corner kick that was followed up with a 35th-minute goal from Bou, allowing the Revs to take a 2-1 lead into the halftime locker room.
The Sounders would regain the lead thanks to a wild sequence starting in the 65th minute that started with Shipp tallying his second of the day with a headed finish off a cross from Joevin Jones, leveling the game at 2-2. Lodeiro then added the go-ahead goal just one minute later, lashing a shot on goal that deflected off Revs’ goalkeeper Matt Turner and trickled into the net, giving the Sounders the 3-2 lead.
The Revs would equalize just before the final whistle, though, after Sounders midfielder Jordy Delem was whistled for a hand ball in his own penalty box, allowing Gil to slot home the equalizer from the spot, forcing Seattle to settle for the single point.
The Rave Green return to action with a pair of road matches next week, beginning with Real Salt Lake on Wednesday evening and then LA Galaxy on Saturday night.
Sounders FC midfielder Harry Shipp recorded two goals on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Mike Fiechtner.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
HOLY SHIPP
It was a massive performance from Shipp, who checked in with the brace while continuing to fill in for VÃctor RodrÃguez. The 27-year-old MLS veteran has now scored five goals and tallied a pair of assists in 12 starts this season.
RETURNING FACES
The Sounders regained the services of a couple of key contributors for the contest, including star striker Raúl RuidÃaz, who made his first start since July 21 after missing a pair of games with a concussion. Rodriguez also made the 18 for the first time since July 6, as he’s been out with a hamstring injury. While Rodriguez didn’t feature, look for the winger to rejoin the rotation soon and give Head Coach Brian Schmetzer another look to throw at opposing defenses.
NEW GUYS WELCOMED
The home crowd also got its first look at the club’s pair of new additions, as Emanuel Cecchini and Luis Silva were each introduced in a pregame ceremony just before kickoff. The two are still getting fit and adjusting to their new teammates, but expect them to also join the rotation in short order as the Sounders gear up for the stretch run of their MLS campaign.
