Atlanta United 1, Seattle Sounders FC 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Dylan Butler

The Seattle Sounders withstood a late barrage to grind out a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United in front of a record crowd of 72,243 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Sounders (4-9-5) took the lead at the end of a feisty first half when Nicolas Lodeiro scored from the penalty spot after Franco Escobar was ruled to have handled a Harry Shipp shot following Video Review.

Lodeiro put his PK down the middle and in off Brad Guzan’s hand in the 45th minute for his second goal of the season.

Atlanta (12-4-5) leveled three minutes into the second half when Josef Martinez latched onto a floated cross by Julian Gressel and headed past Stefan Frei for his league-leading 19th goal of the season.

The Sounders were reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute when Jordan McCrary was sent off for his second bookable offense.

The Five Stripes nearly took the lead in the 70th minute, but Frei robbed Chris McCann from point-blank range after Leandro Gonzalez Pirez headed off the post.

Goals

45’ — Nicolas Lodeiro (PK) | WATCH
48’ — Josef Martinez | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Atlanta will rue numerous missed opportunities, especially after the Sounders were reduced to 10 and see the draw as two points lost. They are no longer the league leaders in terms of points per game, falling behind New York City FC and FC Dallas. Seattle will take the point in a second straight road draw as they continue to quest to keep their playoff streak alive.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Having just seen McCrary sent off, Frei came up huge on this 70th minute set piece to keep the scoreline level. It was Atlanta's best chance to get all three points.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Frei was massive to secure a road point for the Sounders, making six saves, grabbing crosses and punching away attempts in wave after wave of a dynamic Atlanta attack.