For the first time in eight years, the Seattle Sounders traveled to Sandy, Utah and picked up at least a point against Real Salt Lake, as the Rave Green fought out a 2-2 draw on Wednesday evening in front of a limited crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium, including goals by Nicolas Lodeiro and Yeimar Gomez Andrade.
The last regular season result in Utah came in a draw back on July 4, 2012 and the last overall win saw the Sounders beating Salt Lake in the 2012 playoffs. Since then, only losses filled the Rave Green record at Rio Tinto. And despite the fact that Seattle lost a 2-1 lead in the 85th minute to an exceptional strike by midfielder Pablo Ruiz, the draw still stands as a positive result.
That feeling can be truly appreciated when considering massive saves by goalkeeper Stefan Frei down the stretch and looking at the full Sounders schedule since returning from the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, where Seattle is now 2-0-1 with eight goals scored and only three against.
Lodeiro's goal, a penalty scored in the 29th minute, came following a Real Salt Lake hand-ball in box earned the Sounders their first major opportunity at goal. Gomez Andrade's first goal with Seattle came in the 69th minute when Alex Roldan evaded a defender and sent a pinpoint perfect cross to the back post where the club's new centerback headed in their second.
After a long-awaited positive result in Utah, the Sounders will now return home for a match against the Portland Timbers on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Sports Radio 950 KJR's Pre-Match Show will begin at 6:30. Just a week-and-a-half ago, Seattle traveled down to Portland and defeated the Timbers 3-0 including two strikes by Raul Ruidiaz and a third from Kelvin Leerdam. The Rave Green will look to take care of business again on Sunday with a mostly rested and healthy team following Wednesday's match.
As for the 2-2 result against Real Salt Lake, check out highlights below as well as full match analysis on KJR's Post Match Show with Pete Fewing and Jackson Felts.