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Seattle plays to a draw

March 17, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Sounders FC picked up its first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers in the first match of the 2013 Cascadia Cup on Saturday night. Eddie Johnson scored for Seattle and Rodney Wallace netted a stoppage time equalizer in front of 40,150 in attendance on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Seattle's newest Designated Player, Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins, made his Sounders FC debut, playing the final 20 minutes and nearly connecting with Johnson for a goal in the 80th minute.

Seattle scored first in the 13th minute when Steve Zakuani intercepted a ball at midfield, took it down into the box with space and crossed to Johnson who tapped in a volley for Seattle's first goal of the 2013 MLS season. Johnson now has five goals and an assist in seven career Cascadia Cup matches.

The goal was the second for Johnson, who scored the deciding goal in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday, which was also assisted by Zakuani.

Sounders FC held the 1-0 lead into second half stoppage time when Andrew Jean-Baptiste intercepted a Seattle clearance and chipped a ball in the box that found the head of Rodney Wallace for the equalizing goal.

Johnson nearly scored a second goal in the 20th minute when he took the ball on the left side into the box, beat his man with a step-over and curled a right-footed shot on frame, forcing Donovan Ricketts into a diving save.

Seattle and Portland take the early lead in the 2013 Cascadia Cup standings with one point apiece. The next Cascadia fixture will be on May 18 when Vancouver Whitecaps FC hosts the Timbers at BC Place. Seattle's next rivalry match is against Vancouver on June 8.

Tonight's match marks the 80th time Seattle and Portland sides have met, dating back to 1975. Seattle leads the series 41-29-10.

Sounders FC visits the San Jose Earthquakes in the first road match of the season next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium.


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