MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC tie Dynamo

Published on March 26, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE - Steve Zakuani's goal in the 80th minute earned Seattle Sounders FC a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo in front of 36,204 fans on Friday night on the Xbox pitch at Qwest Field.

With the result Sounders FC (0-2-1, 1 point) earned its first point of the season and avoided dropping consecutive home matches. Houston (0-1-1, 1 point) remains winless in Seattle, going 0-3-2, including playoffs and cup ties.

Zakuani struck for Seattle's first goal of the season after Erik Friberg's corner kick was deflected to the back post for a tap-in.

Sounders FC finished with a team record 26 shots-six more than the previous mark-and also set a new standard with 15 coming in the first half. Seattle also tied its own record for corner kicks with 12.

The Dynamo scored the game's first goal in the 42nd minute. Lovel Palmer's 35-yard free kick hit the crossbar and, after a scrum in the box, the ball fell to Geoff Cameron who blasted a shot from inside the 18-yard box that hit Seattle defender Jeff Parke and flew into the roof of the net.

Sounders FC had numerous scoring opportunities in the first half. O'Brian White had the first chance of the game when he beat the Houston defense on a long run and held off a challenge, but his low shot was pushed out by goalkeeper Tally Hall.

In the 21st minute, Zakuani's shot was blocked by Hall and Fredy Montero's left-footed attempt at the far post missed wide.

Friberg sent a cross into the box from the right flank in the 27th minute, but White's strong header was stopped by Hall. Just two minutes later, White whipped a header on frame off a Seattle corner kick but it was cleared off the line by a defender. Parke's header on the rebound hit the crossbar and Montero was whistled for a foul on his overhead attempt.

The chances continued for Sounders FC in the second half.

In the 74th minute, substitute midfielder Mauro Rosales, making his home debut, fed Montero up the right side where Montero connected with a violent strike that was knocked down by Hall.

Two minutes after Zakuani's equalizer, Montero hit a left-footed half-volley off a ball from Zakuani that Hall was able to knock away for a corner.

Hall finished with seven saves on the night.

Forward Nate Jaqua and midfielder Brad Evans made their season debuts, with Evans starting and Jaqua coming on for White in the 61st minute. Jaqua had been recovering from hip surgery after an injury he suffered last season and Evans had been sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Sounders FC will next travel to the Bay Area to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, April 2 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 26, 2011


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