The Seattle Sounders split the points with visiting Columbus Crew SC at CenturyLink Field on Saturday, conceding a first-half goal to Gyasi Zardes but getting a second-half penalty kick from Raúl Ruidíaz.
Columbus struck first in the 33rd minute off a point-blank finish via Zardes, who was found crashing the back post on a cross from Luis Díaz.
But Ruidíaz would pull the Sounders back level from the spot after a penalty kick was won by Nouhou, who sent in a cross that went off the hand of a Columbus defender. Seattle thought they had their equalizer in the half, but a chipped finish from midfielder Miguel Ibarra was waved off on Video Review.
Ruidíaz had his first penalty saved in the 79th minute, but Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room was whistled for coming off his line early and the Peruvian got to retake it. Ruidíaz slotted the second attempt home, and neither side would manage to find a winner in the final 11 minutes.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
RUIDÍAZ ON THE SHEET
It wasn’t from open play, but it was no doubt good for Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer to see his striker open his account on the 2020 season. He’s capable of scoring them in bunches when he gets rolling, so the hope for Seattle going forward is that this sets off another one of his patented binges.
RETURN OF THE GOOSE
Midfielder Gustav Svensson had missed Seattle’s Concacaf Champions League fixtures and the first MLS match against Chicago Fire FC with a strained calf, but resumed his normal spot in the starting XI on Saturday after getting back to full health during the week. It was the first look at what should be a fruitful partnership with offseason signee Joao Paulo, who started beside him.
NICO BACK SOON
By all accounts, midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro is close to returning from hamstring tendinitis, ramping up his workload in training throughout the week but not quite making it back in time for this one. Should he be ready for Seattle’s next match – away against the Houston Dynamo next Saturday – expect the captain to provide an immediate boost to Seattle’s attack.
