Sounders Capture Point with Draw in Minnesota

If you're glass half empty, you'll focus on a near-miss by Jordan Morris in the first half and two headers off the post in the second half by Will Bruin and Nicolas Lodeiro.

If you're glass half full, you'll focus on backups excelling, players returning from injury and a point captured in a hostile environment against a much-improved Minnesota United squad.

Like most things in life, perspective shapes emotions and you're probably feeling about Saturday's Sounders FC match.

With Saad Abdul-Salaam starting at right back in place of Kelvin Leerdam, who served a one-game red card suspension, Handwalla Bwana on the right wing and Jordy Delem in the defensive midfield for the injured Gustav Svensson, Seattle relied on backups to carry key positions on Saturday in Minnesota.

Chad Marshall, out twice in the last three games due to knee inflammation, returned to the starting lineup with Nouhou (ankle sprain), Will Bruin (hamstring strain) and Raul Ruidiaz (heel contusion) all making appearances on the bench.

Bruin entered the match for Bwana in the 59th minute and Ruidiaz came on for Victor Rodriguez in the 85th, giving Sounders fans a sight possibly forgotten- a formation with two forwards. And while Seattle couldn't find a second half goal with both forwards back on the field, progress is a positive. Glass half full.

That second half saw numerous chances for both squads including a Abdul-Salaam cross sail barely over the head of Morris, headers by Lodeiro and Bruin hit both posts within one minute of each other and a late deflected header by Roman Torres in the 81st minute which held a good line towards goal. Each time, so close to that second goal and a winner for Seattle. Glass half empty.

In the 26th minute, the glass emptied completely as Minnesota centerback Ike Opara headed and excellently placed free kick over Marshall and past Stefan Frei to give the hosts an early lead.

16 minutes later, Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan filled the entire glass, and then some, as he hit a 25-yard curving rocket through multiple defenders, past the outstretched arms of keeper Vito Mannone, and into the back of the net. Few, if any, goals will be better struck by players on either club this season.

At the end of the day, the Sounders leave Minnesota, and their first match-up in club history against former midfielder Ozzie Alonso, with a single point, and move their record to 5-1-4, good for fourth place in the Western Conference.

Up next for the squad is the third-place Houston Dynamo, who beat FC Dallas 2-1 on Saturday. Houston (6-1-1) feature Mauro Manotas with five goals and four assists, Alberth Elis with four goals and four assists, plus a dangerous counter-attack that can beat any proven MLS defense. The Sounders and Dynamo play next Saturday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m. with Sports Radio 950 KJR's Pre-Match Show starting at 6:30.

Check out highlights from Saturday's 1-1 draw in Minnesota below in addition to KJR's Postgame Show with Jackson Felts, Danny Jackson and Pete Fewing.


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