Sounders in the Aftermath of Greatest Comeback in Club History
By Ben Renner
How will the Sounders top their 4-3 comeback victory at home against DC United? It may take another championship to top the feats of Brian Schmetzer’s team last night.
The Sounders found themselves in a 3-0 hole against lowly DC United at home last night, presumably on the verge of an embarrassing defeat. Even with a depleted squad thanks to several star players, most notably Jordan Morris and Clint Dempsey, playing for their countries in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Seattle expected a win at home against the 11th place visitors.
The first 50 or so minutes of this game were ugly. A late injury to Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei forced Tyler Miller into the action just before kickoff. Miller was promptly nutmegged on an assist in the eighth minute by Patrick Nyarko, who found the dangerous Deshorn Brown for a tap-in. Young gun Ian Harkes took advantage of a grievous misstep by the Sounders back line in the 27th minute for a roll-in.
It was a 2-0 deficit at halftime to DC, 11th place in the Eastern Conference. Seattle needed three points at home, even with their stars playing for the USMNT, and their hopes were fading. It got worse. Defensive captain Brad Evans stabbed and missed, allowing Lloyd Sam to take advantage of bad positioning by Chad Marshall and Roman Torres to push DC’s lead to 3-0 in the 50th minute.
It was grim. Then the Sounders decided to play.
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Shortly after the ensuing kickoff following Sam’s goal, Joevin Jones drove the ball deep into DC territory and crossed to Will Bruin, who put a nifty header on the ball to get Seattle on the board. The goal brought the crowd back into the game and shifted the overall tone of the contest.
A few minutes after the Bruin goal, Schmetzer sent in substitutes Nouhou Tolo and transfer Kelvin Leerdam, injecting more new life into the team. Nouhou got his money’s worth, dribbling past his defenders on an attack that ended with another Jones cross and another brilliant header, this time from Evans.
Gustav Svensson got the equalizer for the Sounders in the 74th minute. Even with an improbable and memorable point earned at home, it was clear the home team had more in store. Cristian Roldan flicked a ball to himself and past the DC defense for a break-away goal. What a game, highlights below.
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This win could be the rallying cry that sets up the stretch run to the playoffs. Last season, Schmetzer took over and rallied the Sounders season from the brink. This season, they may have brought their season back in one game.