MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 1 at Houston Dynamo 1
Goal-scorers: Ricardo Clark (65’), Obafemi Martins (82’)
Site: BBVA Compass Stadium
Man of the Match:Brad Evans. After playing right back for the U.S. National Team last Tuesday, Evans shifted back to his centerback role for Sounders FC and excelled on Sunday. Evans made a number of key defensive stops and also contributed to the attack, nearly picking up an assist to Obafemi Martins in the first half and also making the run that opened up Martins’ second-half goal.
Telling Stat: Including his assist on the tying goal Sunday, Andreas Ivanschitz has been involved in a goal in three of his five games since joining the Sounders this summer. Martins netted both of Seattle’s goals against the Dynamo this year and has now scored in eight of his last 10 appearances.
Although he needed to make just three saves in the game on Sunday, goalkeeper Stefan Frei broke Kasey Keller’s club record for saves in a single season, bringing his total to 111.
What You Missed: Sounders All-Star defender Chad Marshall returned to the starting lineup on Sunday after missing one game with a neck sprain. Designated Player Nelson Valdez, however, did not make the trip to Houston due to the calf injury he picked up two weeks ago. Erik Friberg played at Valdez’s usual spot on the right wing until Andy Rose replaced him in the 62nd minute. Midfielder Marco Pappa missed the match because of an injury he sustained midweek while on international duty with the Guatemala.
So What: Now unbeaten in their last seven matches, the Sounders remain above the postseason cutoff line heading into next weekend’s Decision Day, when they host Real Salt Lake. The Sounders will look to clinch their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the seventh straight year.
