Set-Pieces Prove Vital as Houston and Seattle Play to 1-1 Draw

Despite missing an open goal that looked harder to miss than to make, Zakuani redeemed himself moments later by setting up Nate Jaqua, helping the Seattle Sounders tie the Houston Dynamo in a 1-1 result.

Riley’s goal nullified Geoff Cameron’s magnificent 36th minute header which beat Sounder goalkeeper Kasey Keller. Both goals came off of mid-range set-pieces.

Entering the match, the league-leading Houston Dynamo were looking to extend their advantage in the west and avenge their disappointing 2-1 loss to the Sounders back in July at Qwest Field. Recently signed forward Luis Angel Landin, Houston’s first-ever designated player, was expected to make his first MLS appearance.

Fourth-placed Seattle entered tonight having won only one of their past five games. Additionally, captain  Freddie Ljungberg was coming off a week-long battle with complications due to hypoglycemia. Though the former Arsenal and West Ham star was not expected to play, he was declared fit before the match and started.

First Half

Both sides came out gunning and it appeared that either could take an early advantage.

In the fourth minute, Ljungberg nearly put the Sounders on top. After a great feed from Nate Jaqua, Ljungberg put a decent try on net. The ball nearly went in despite goalkeeper Pat Onstad getting his hand on it, however, Wade Barrett cleared the threat just as it was about to cross the line.

Moments later, the Dynamo almost got a goal of their own when Kei Kamara tested Kasey Keller. Despite a good shot from the right, Kamara’s effort would be knocked out by the former USA number-one. The play was set up by fluid passing by the Houston midfield, which finally saw the potent combination of Brian Mullen, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, and Brad Davis all on the field.

 The match would quiet down a bit as both sides opted to shift to more of a possession-based strategy.

Houston had multiple chances to score later on, however Brian Ching was having trouble connecting with his teammates—most of his passes were too powerful for any of his colleagues to catch up to.

 The deadlock was finally broken in the 36th minute, though, off of a magnificent header from Geoff Cameron after a Davis set-piece. Stationed at the top of the box, Cameron re-directed the ball to the left side of the goal, past a diving Keller. The goal was Cameron’s first of the year.

Seattle appeared unfretted, however, and was poised to send the game into halftime with a level score.

Ljungberg nearly did so moments before the half when his free-kick at the top of the Houston box went just high and wide. The free-kick was the result of a Ching handball.

 Second Half

Much like its predecessor, the second half started with both teams playing extremely hard and fast with opportunities galore.

 Seattle looked as if they pulled level when an apparent Jaqua goal was called back due to an offside call. Jaqua initially pulled Onstad off his line and passed it to Osvaldo Alonso. Alsonso knocked the ball away from Onstad and Jaqua proceeded to tap the ball in. Jaqua was called offside, however, and the goal was disallowed. The call was very close and mercilessly debated by captain Ljungberg.

Houston countered moments later when Holden set Ching up in the box. Holden’s pass was too hard, though, and Ching could not catch up to it.

 Seattle almost scored again 63rd minute on a failed chip-shot attempt by Sebastien Le Toux. Le Toux played a long touch and had room to work with while attacking the net. Instead of putting a hard shot on, though, Le Toux opted to chip it over Onstad—whose 6’3” frame allowed him to play it easily.

With so many chances on net, yet nothing to show for, it was obvious that the Sounders were sorely missing top-scorer Fredy Montero, who did not play due to an accumulation of yellow cards. This was most evident in the 66th minute when recently-subbed Steve Zakuani missed an open goal that would have tied the game. Zakuani was brilliantly set up by Ljungberg, who had beaten two defenders in the box. Just a few yards out and the entire goal at his disposal, Zakuani hit the ball too high, falling to his knees in shame afterwards.

Fortunately for Zakuani, he would redeem himself minutes later in the 70th when he assisted Jaqua to pull level. With his momentum going backwards, Zakuani played James Riley’s pass perfectly off of his head and allowed Jaqua to easily knock in the tying goal.

 As time dwindled, the 17,000 fans at Robertson Stadium finally got to see their new star. Luis Angel Landin was subbed in during the 76th minute to a standing ovation.

 Though the former Cruz Azul starlet could not provide his new club with a victory, his flashy first touch deep in Seattle’s zone showcased the bravado that the Mexican international has become known for.

 Late in the game Landin set up Holden near the top of the box, but Holden’s noble effort went wide right.

 Despite fluid passing, great opportunities and extremely passionate play, neither side could break the tie and the match ended 1-1.

 The Dynamo remain at the top of the western conference table and travel to Colorado next week to take on the Rapids.

With the vital road point in hand, Seattle returns home next week to take on Toronto.

Greg Adrouny, Goal.com

For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page