MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 0 at FC Dallas 0
Site: Toyota Stadium
Man of the Match:Tyrone Mears continues to impress early on in his first season with Sounders FC. Just two weeks removed from an injury substitution (hamstring) against San Jose, Mears played the full 90 minutes on Saturday and had another strong outing at both ends of the pitch. The 32-year-old helped contain speedy winger Fabian Castillo as the Sounders became the first team to keep a clean sheet against Dallas this season.
Telling Stat: Zero. Neither team was able to muster a shot on target in the match, a first in Sounders FC history. When Dallas defender Kellyn Acosta was sent off for a challenge on Andy Rose in the 17th minute, Seattle started to gain more possession and create scoring chances. However, neither side was able to test the opposing goalkeeper on Saturday.
What You Missed: After using the same starting lineup in their first two games, the Sounders had four new faces on the pitch to start Saturday’s match. Chad Barrett began the game as Seattle’s lone forward, Zach Scott replaced the injured Chad Marshall, and Rose and Cristian Roldan started in the midfield. Head Coach Sigi Schmid employed a 4-2-3-1 formation.
It was the first career start for Roldan, the first-round MLS SuperDraft pick who has appeared in all three games so far this season. Fellow rookies Victor Mansaray and Oniel Fisher made their MLS debuts Saturday night, coming on as substitutes late in the second half.
So What: The Rave Green are now 1-1-1 on the season and will be back at home next weekend to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. PT. FC Dallas remains atop the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings with 10 points and a 3-0-1 record.
