The Seattle Sounders took a point in their first match of the Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament in Charleston, S.C. After a first half own goal that put Seattle up heading into the break, the Rave Green gave up a goal in the final moments of stoppage time, scored by Charleston Battery's Kotaro Higashi.
Joevin Jones helped create the Sounders' lone tally in the 32nd minute when he crossed a ball in from the left side of the box that was deflected in for an own goal by defender Taylor Mueller.
Alvaro Fernandez had a great chance for the Sounders when his shot hit the far post in the 66th minute and caromed along the goal line, and Henry Wingo had a goal disallowed when his original pass to Will Bruin in a give-and-go found Bruin a step offside.
Clint Dempsey started for the third straight match and went 60 minutes after going 30 against the Portland Timbers and 45 against the San Jose Earthquakes while in Tucson, Ariz.
Osvaldo Alonso returned to Charleston to face his former club, with whom he spent the 2008 season prior to joining the Sounders the following year, but he did not play. He is still recovering from a knee problem and did not play in either match in Tucson either.
Jordan Morris and Chad Marshall started and logged their first preseason minutes after returning from U.S. national team duty. Jordy Delem and trialist Darrius Barnes each started and went 60 minutes.
The Sounders will battle 2017 MLS expansion side Atlanta United on Wednesday (4:30 p.m. PT; SoundersFC.com).
