SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders got a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer from Chad Barrett, and were able to salvage an improbable 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy at CenturyLink Field on Sunday night.
The Galaxy seemed primed to grab a huge road victory until the game’s final minute, when Brad Evans managed to head a Marco Pappa corner into the path of a charging Barrett; which allowed Seattle to escape with the draw.
With the tie the Sounders move to 47 points on the season, and are fifth in the Western Conference with two games to play. The Galaxy vaulted over FC Dallas with the point, and lead the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings with 51 points in 32 games.
There was an energetic start to the game, with both sides having ample opportunities to tally a first-half go-ahead goal. Seattle had its best look in the 6th minute when Clint Dempsey had an open look on LA goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts off a set-up from Obafemi Martins. Dempsey couldn’t sneak his shot past Ricketts, who smothered the attempt and kept the game goalless.
The Galaxy almost grabbed the lead in the 27th minute after a deflected cross into the Seattle penalty area from Gyasi Zardes landed directly in front of a wide-open Steven Gerrard. Gerrard would scream his ensuing shot just high of Seattle ‘keeper Stefan Frei and the goal.
The visitors would manage to open the scoring in the 36th minute after a wayward back-pass from Seattle center back Zach Scott set Keane up with an uncontested chance against Frei. The reigning MLS MVP coolly slotted the attempt into the Seattle net for his 17th goal of the season, staking the Galaxy the first-half advantage.
Gerrard almost gave the Galaxy a 2-0 lead in the 64th minute after heading a cross on frame, but the attempt deflected off the crossbar allowing Seattle to narrowly avoid what would have been a back-breaking second goal.
It seemed as though the Sounders were headed for the home defeat, but Barrett saved the day by burying a redirected cross from Evans, sending the crowd of 56,097 at CenturyLink Field into bedlam before the final whistle.
Seattle and LA now both have a week off before resuming play on Oct. 18, with the Sounders hitting the road to take on the Houston Dynamo and the Galaxy heading home to host the Portland Timbers.
