Seattle Sounders 1, Los Angeles Football Club 1 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Despite receiving two red cards, the Seattle Sounders held on for a 1-1 draw Sunday afternoon against LAFC at CenturyLink Field.

The game, a rematch of last weekend’s 4-1 win for LAFC, was shaped by Cristian Roldan being sent off in the 18th minute for violent conduct. That left LAFC chasing a game-winner for 70-plus minutes, as a Christian Ramirez miss from three yards out in the 48th minute loomed large.

As blows were exchanged, Seattle clang onto a left-footed curler from Jordan Morris just 46 seconds in. The 1-0 lead arrived after a misplayed back pass from LAFC center back Eddie Segura, gift-wrapping the center forward with a chance he didn’t miss.

But LAFC had Carlos Vela to lean upon, and he immediately drew the Black & Gold level in the 4th minute. Vela cushioned home a driven cross from Diego Rossi, giving him 11 goals through 10 matches, equalling Chris Wondolowski as the quickest in MLS history to reach that mark. 

Late on, Seattle was reduced to nine men as Kelvin Leerdam was issued a straight red card after a Video Review decision. The right back took down Rossi deep-into second half stoppage time, setting up a free kick that Vela ultimately blasted over the net.

Goals

• 1' – SEA – Jordan Morris | WATCH
• 4' – LAFC – Carlos Vela | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: As two of the Western Conference’s top teams came together, much focus centered around if Seattle could prove last weekend’s 4-1 win for LAFC was an anomaly. Consider that challenge half answered, as two Sounders’ red cards drastically shaped the outcome of the game. With a man advantage for about 80 percent of the match, LAFC must feel like points were left on the field. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The decision to give Roldan a straight red card in the 18th minute drew debate among those at CenturyLink Field, as well as on social media. The moment of controversy – Roldan put his hands to the face of Eduard Atuesta, intentionally or not – dictated the game’s tempo from there on out. Seattle seldom ventured forward, and the onus of being a game-winner became LAFC's. 

MAN OF THE MATCH
: He didn’t score a goal or dish out an assist, but
Nicolas Lodeiro
’s role as a release valve for a shorthanded Seattle side can’t be understated. He also nearly found a shock go-ahead goal in the 75th minute, but his volley was a
Tyler Miller
hand away from dipping under the crossbar.

Next Up

• SEA: Saturday, May 4 at Minnesota United FC (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN in US, on DAZN in Canada)
• LAFC: Saturday, May 4 vs. Chicago Fire (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN in US, on DAZN in Canada)