The Seattle Sounders fell behind early on the road again.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Pedro Morales converted a penalty kick drawn by Alphonso Davies to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute on Oct. 2. Seattle was still hunting hard for a postseason spot and needed a quick answer.
Enter Osvaldo Alonso.
The Sounders’ acting captain responded in the 39th minute by finishing a great cross from Joevin Jones. Alonso made a late run into the box after Jones corralled a loose ball on the left side of the box. Playing left midfield after Alvaro Fernandez exited early with an injury, Jones whipped in an enticing ball, and Alonso banged it home on a convincing one-time finish to equalize.
It was Alonso’s second tally in three matches and tied his career high for goals in a season with three (2011). Brad Evans scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 81st minute to secure a vital three points and simultaneously knock the Whitecaps out of playoff contention.
Alonso had a screamer against the LA Galaxy a week before and myriad impressive tackles defensively all season, but his game-tying effort on the road meant more to Seattle than anything else.
