Joveljic gets brace on Sounders debut but Lewandowski rescues point for Fire

Seattle Sounders 2-2 Chicago Fire FC

SEATTLE, WA–Before a crowd of 38,287 was a showcase between two teams with new number nines–Robert Lewandowski for the Fire and Dejan Joveljic for the Sounders. The latter certainly did not disappoint in his Sounders debut by scoring twice, but Lewandowski would get the goal to snatch a point for the Fire in a 2-2 draw at Lumen Field.

Jesus Ferreira gave #9 to Javeljic and took #27. The new #9 for Seattle wasted little time opening his account after just 12 minutes getting on the end of a low cross from Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. The Fire pressed for the equalizer shortly thereafter. Philip Zinckernagel shot one off the post in the 37th minute, but the Fire eventually got the leveler in the 38th. Lewandowski laid off the ball for Maren Haile-Selassie who beat Andrew Thomas far post.

Joveljic wasted little time in the second half scoring three minutes in creating space after receiving the ball from Albert Rusnak and  shot it just beyond the reach of Chris Brady. So once again, the Fire pressed for an equalizer, but nearly conceded a third in the 85th minute, but for Jack Elliott who blocked Rusnak’s shot. A minute later, the equalizer did come for the Fire as Puso Dithejane’s cross was headed in by Lewandowski from close range.

Jonathan Bamba nearly won it for the Fire with the final kick of the match, but Thomas came up big with his ninth save of the afternoon to preserve a point.

The winless streak does extend to ten (0-8-2) in league play, but there are encouraging signs for the Sounders such as Joveljic’s hat trick and the return of both Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris who both came on as second half subs. However, there are encouraging signs for the Fire who, despite still never winning in Seattle (0-7-2), come away with a potentially valuable point as they try for a high seed in the Eastern Conference and extend their league unbeaten streak to five (3-0-2).

Seattle will host Red Bull New York next Saturday (5:30pm PT, Apple TV), while the Fire travel to Toronto FC next Saturday (6:30pm CT, Apple TV).

Photos by Paul Kahl

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