David Estrada’s fifth goal of the season equalizes for Seattle to move Sounders to 7-3-3 on the MLS season.
CARSON, Calif. – The Sounders FC continued their road success on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center with a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA to extend their road unbeaten streak to ten straight matches.
Alex Caskey stepped onto the field in the 61st minute and set up David Estrada's fifth goal of the season to equalize for Seattle, bouncing back from a 1-0 deficit to move to 7-3-3 on the season as they enter a break in the MLS season.
"For us to be able to come back from being one nothing is a good thing. I felt we had some chances at the end of the game, and they were pretty good chances," Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said. "I was pleased with our ability to come back in tonight's game."
Chivas USA controlled possession for most of the first half, but were only able to get two shots out of it and the two teams went into the half scoreless.
With the start of the second half, the game opened up for both teams and Seattle got the first big chance in the 56th minute.
Fredy Montero collected the ball at midfield and spun a behind-the-back pass to Estrada running up the left side. Estrada carried it to the top of the box, then returned the ball to Montero, but his shot from the top of the box skipped wide.
Chivas quickly reacted with their first good opportunity just two minutes later.
Former Sounders FC defender James Riley took a pass on the right side from another former Sounder in Peter Vagenas and sent a probing cross into the box where Juan Agudelo got in between Jeff Parke and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and beat Bryan Meredith to the ball, heading it inside the far post for his first goal in a Chivas jersey in the 58th minute, putting Seattle behind 1-0.
The lead didn't last long though.
Schmid brought on Caskey for Alvaro Fernandez in the 61st minute and the first-year midfielder made his presence felt quickly. He took a pass from Montero on the left side, took one touch toward the middle, then bounced a cross to Estrada in the box. Estrada cut in behind defender John Valencia and knocked a shot past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to equalize at 1-1.
"It was good for him because he hasn't scored since the second game of the season," Schmid said. "David always works hard. He made some good, hard runs in the box."
The moment was made all the more rewarding for Estrada, as he had over 50 friends and family at the match, supporting him from the stands among the 12,280 in attendance, which also included over 130 supporters in the visitors' section.
"It was a very nice feeling for me to score in front of them," Estrada grinned.
The teams traded opportunities over the final half-hour and Andy Rose came up with perhaps the best chance late in the match when he charged on the ball at the top of the box off a rebound in the 90th minute, but his hard right-footed shot missed high and the Sounders left the Home Depot Center with a 1-1 draw.
The Sounders are now 7-3-3 and remain in third in the Western Conference with 24 points. Their ten-match road unbeaten streak is the second longest in MLS history, behind a run of 12 straight by FC Dallas in 2010.
Seattle's next MLS match won't come until June 16 when they are scheduled to open up Saputo Stadium in Montreal in their only match of the season against the Impact. However, they start their quest for their fourth straight US Open Cup title on Wednesday when they meet the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NASL at Starfire in Tukwila.
Scoring
Sounders FC – David Estrada (Alex Caskey, Fredy Montero) 61.
Chivas USA – Juan Agudelo (James Riley, Peter Vagenas) 58.
Discipline
Sounders FC – Andy Rose (caution) 20.
Chivas USA – None.
Lineups
Sounders FC – Bryan Meredith, Zach Scott, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Marc Burch, Mauro Rosales, Andy Rose, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez (Alex Caskey 61), Fredy Montero (Eddie Johnson 73), David Estrada (Cordell Cato 78).
Chivas USA – Dan Kennedy, James Riley, Danny Califf, John Valencia (Rauwshan McKenzie 65), Ante Jazic, Alejandro Moreno, Laurent Courtois, Peter Vagenas, Ryan Smith (Cesar Romero 88), Juan Agudelo, Jose Erick Correa (Blair Gavin 76).
