Houston Dynamo 1 : 1 Sounders FC

Sounders Take Valuable Point from League Leading Dynamo

Sounders fought hard to come from behind and take a point from Texas to remain in contention for a play off. A Nate Jaqua equaliser against his former club canceled out a Geoff Cameron header in the first half. The result leaves Sounders in a real battle for a play-off place but the late equaliser saving the point could be crucial come season end.

Western Conference Table

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
Houston	24	11	7	6	40
Los Angeles	23	8	11	4	35
Chivas USA	20	10	3	7	33
Seattle	23	8	9	6	33
Colorado	21	8	6	7	30
Real Salt Lake	22	7	6	9	27
FC Dallas	22	6	5	11	23
San Jose	21	5	5	11	20

Sigi Schmid had shaken up the side and give Roger Levesque his first start at right midfield. Freddie Ljungberg started up front with Seb Le Toux playing left mid. An early header by Nate Jaqua set Ljungberg clear through, but his drive hit the inside of Pat Onstad’s leg. The shot was cleared off the line by an attentive Wade Barrett. Kei Kamara produced a super save from Keller at the other end, all within the first ten minutes in a bright opening.

Levesque and Bobby Boswell both went into the referee’s book, the latter on for a foul on Ljungberg. In the 21st minute, Ljungberg sped past the right back but his cross was too high for the onrushing Brad Evans. Although Sounders had plenty of possession, Dynamo continued to be the slightly likelier side to score.

A poorly defended free kick allowed Houston to take the lead. Brad Davis pumped it in from 40 yards out and Geoff Cameron won an easy header to loop it past Keller for his first goal of the season.

Ljungberg blasted a free kick from just outside the box wide as Seattle sought an equaliser but they went into the dressing room a goal down at half time.

100 seconds into the second half, Sounders had a seemingly good goal chalked off for offside, with Jaqua being the probable culprit as he received the final pass. However subsequent replays showed one defender but no goalkeeper behind the centre forward and the call seemed technically the correct one.

Keller came out bravely to deny Ching minutes later as Seattle tried to stay in the game. Seb Le Toux found himself clean through on 62 minutes but his chip over Onstad wasn’t high enough and the Canadian keeper caught the ball. Nate Jaqua finished weakly in the 63rd minute but worse was to come when Zakuani tapped the ball over an empty net in the 67th minute from feet rather than yards out. It seemed it wasn’t to be Seattle’s day again but redemption was to come and two of those needing redeemed the most provided it.

In the 71st minute James Riley sent in a great cross from the right which Steve Zakuani headed back across the goal for Nate Jaqua to finish conclusively. It was a deserved equaliser for the Sounders who were applying themselves well despite the setbacks.

Sounders were more likely to steal it as the game entered the last ten minutes. Ljungberg gave 85 minutes before being replaced by Pete Vagenas. Under some pressure though, Sounders held on for a valuable point and a better morale booster.

Houston Dynamo: Pat Onstad; Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Wade Barrett, Ryan Cochrane (Craig Waibel), Stewart Holden, Brad Davis (Corey Ashe 73′) , Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clark; Brian Ching, Kei Kamara (Luis Landin),

Substitutes Not Used: Mike Chabala, Danny Cruz, Dominic Oduro, Tally Hall,

Sounders FC: Kasey Keller; James Riley, Tyrone Marshall, Jhon Hurtado (Pat Ianni 82′), Leo Gonzalez; Osvaldo Alonso, Roger Levesque (Steve Zakuani 63′), Seb Le Toux, Brad Evans; Nate Jaqua, Freddie Ljungberg (Pete Vagenas 89′)

Substitutes Not Used: Terry Boss, Nathan Sturgis, Sanna Nyassi
Geoff Cameron Gives Houston the Lead (21s)

Nate Jaqua Equalises for the Sounders (37s)

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