Seattle Sounders FC ( 5-9-2, 17 points) overcame an onslaught of shots and slipped out of Toronto with a point courtesy of a Jordan Morris wonder strike in a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC ( 5-9-2, 17 points) Saturday evening at BMO Field in Toronto.
Despite missing U.S. Captain and midfield lynchpin Micheal Bradley and and marksman Jozy Altidore, the home side had every intention of to scoring goals. Toronto was in no mood to entertain guests and dominated the match after giving Seattle a corner kick in the fourth minute of play.
Toronto sent multiple players on runs inside the Seattle goal mouth, causing confusion, mayhem and consternation to the Seattle backline. Seattle was missing Clint Dempsey and the absence of captain Brad Evans ( calf strain) from the back line made the quest nearly Mission Impossible.
Leading Toronto’s bum-rush at the Seattle defense quick, elusive and multi talented striker Sebastian Giovinco. Giovinco’s speed and pace created numerous scoring chances for his teammates and himself throughout the match. Jay Chapman’s 22nd minute header from the center of the box was just left of the Seattle goal and Giovanco had his own golden opportunity one minute later but his right footed shot from the centre of the box was high and wide.
Despite their persistent efforts to break the Seattle backline the home side where never able to get that breakthrough goal and the two sides went into the halftime break knotted at zeros.
Toronto started the second half the same way it started the first half, sending runners and through balls towards the Sounders goal mouth with the intent to score. When Giovinco’s right footed shot in the 51st minute from just outside the Seattle box was wide left, it seemed to be a matter of when the home side would score not if. Seattle’s fortunes seemed to have taken a turn for the worst when defender Chad Marshall was replaced by Tony Alfaro due to an injury in the 51st minute.
Toronto continued it’s assault on Seattle and the inevitable became reality in the 61st minute when Jordan Hamilton rifled a left footed shot into the back of an empty Seattle goal. Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei left his line to make a save on Giovinco’s shot and the rebound bounced to the onrushing Hamilton.
Seattle equalized 30 seconds later when Joevin Jones feed Jordan Morris with a lofted slide rule pass the rookie trapped, pirouetted right freezing two Toronto defenders and right footed the ball into the back of Toronto net for the equalizer and his sixth goal of the season.
” It was good to get back a goal back right after they score and great ball from Joevin all the credit to him and it was good to get a goal and bring life back into the game, “Morris said after the game.
The tie snaps Seattle’s two game MLS losing streak. The Sounders beat Real Salt Lake last week in U.S. Open Cup play to go undefeated in their last two matches in all competition.
Seattle will take on West Ham United of the English Premier League Tuesday night( 7:30 p.m PT) in midweek friendly before returning to MLS play on Saturday July 9th to face the LA Galaxy( 12:00 p.m. PT) at Century Link Field
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