VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders kicked off their 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League campaigns at BC Place on Wednesday night, cancelling each other out in a 1-1 draw that was light in goalmouth action and moments to remember.
Seattle will likely be the happier of the two teams, coming away with an away point, but with both sides putting out second string lineups, no one really grabbed their opportunity to impress to the full.
For a brief moment it looked like a Vancouver centre back would be Seattle's downfall for the second time in less than a week, with Tim Parker following in Pa Modou Kah's footsteps with an excellent backheeled goal just past the hour mark.
Seattle earned a share of the points in the 72nd minute, however, when Lamar Neagle was left unmarked and fired home with ease.
As expected, both coaches rang the changes, with Vancouver changing their entire starting 11 and Seattle keeping just three starters from Saturday's meeting between the Cascadia clubs.
The new-look teams took their time in finding their feet and establishing some chemistry, with neither side able to carve out any clear openings in a dire first half.
The closest either team came to opening the scoring came with ten minutes of the half remaining, when Andy Rose got on the end of an Aaron Kovar cross, rising unchallenged but heading narrowly over.
The second half started in much the same way, with Vancouver finally having their first chance in the 61st minute when Pedro Morales played in Erik Hurtado but he couldn't get a clear shot off.
That seemed to spark the game into life and the Whitecaps took the lead moments later when Parker back-flicked home Morales' corner.
Vancouver had a couple of chances to double their advantage and looked in the ascendency but sloppy defending gifted Seattle an equaliser in the 72nd minute.
The Whitecaps failed to clear a free kick and as the ball was played back in Neagle was left unmarked in the box to drill home from close range.
Vancouver tried to push for a winner but Troy Perkins was rarely called into action and Seattle easily held out for what could be a vital point when Group F plays out.
Both teams will now be back in MLS action this weekend, with Vancouver hosting Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening (10 pm ET, TSN1 in Canada, MLS LIVE in US) and Seattle heading to LA on Sunday afternoon (4 pm ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes in US, TSN2 in Canada).
