Sounders their own enemy as two points dropped

Photo: Paul Kahl

Seattle Sounders FC 2-2 Charlotte FC

SEATTLE, WA–On a rainy night in Seattle, a Sounders team expected to contend for MLS Cup showed some of the more negative aspects of last year’s campaign as they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC. It started well enough in the 19th minute as Georgi Minoungou sent a brilliant cross for Jordan Morris to finish to put the Sounders ahead.

Photo: Nate Koppelman

However, Charlotte would net an equalizer in the 35th minute as Adilson Malanda would head in a corner from Pep Biel–matching his goal total from last season. The Sounders regained the lead four minutes into the second half as an Albert Rusnak ball sent Morris in behind the defense. Morris timed his run perfectly and sent the ball past Kristijan Kahlina to make it 2-1.

The Sounders had chances to add a third later into the second half, only to be stopped by Kahlina who made six saves on the night. The Crown, meanwhile, had just one shot on target all evening–Malanda’s goal. They would get a second goal three minutes unto stoppage time through poor touches by Seattle. Jackson Ragen’s poor touch at midfield allowed Idan Toklomati to come down the flank and his cross would be knocked in by Yeimar and it would be two points dropped.

“Sloppy play by two top center backs in the league,” said Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer after the match. “I’m hot right now because what we did well, even on short rest, was very good. Some of the attacking movements, combination play was exciting soccer. We worked really hard on our attacking movements in preseason. We scored two and we should’ve scored more.”

The Sounders will return to Concacaf Champions Cup action on Wednesday at Lumen Field as they host Antigua GFC of Guatemala. The Sounders won the first leg, 3-1. Kickoff is at 7:30pm and will be televised on FS2.