SEATTLE -- The Columbus Crew withstood a blistering first half by Sounders FC, rallied for an equalizer and held on for a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Qwest Field to retain their unbeaten start to the 2010 season.
Seattle got off to a lightning-quick start and dominated the first half. Applying high pressure, the Sounders struck in the fourth minute when Eric Brunner clattered into the back of Fredy Montero.
As Crew defenders awaited the whistle for a foul, quick-thinking Freddie Ljungberg one-timed the ball into the path of a streaking Steve Zakuani.
The first overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft calmly juked Will Hesmer and finished the simple tap-in to give Seattle an early lead.
A similar play nearly doubled Seattle's lead just four minutes later, when Montero played the ball through the flat-footed Crew defense to meet Ljungberg's run. Through on goal with a narrow angle, the Swede's shot couldn't outwit Hesmer, who batted the shot out for a corner.
After the initial blitz, Columbus settled into the match and found their feet in midfield.