Sounders draw Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 at home
By Ben Renner
Sounders star forward Clint Dempsey saved a draw for the home team over the visiting German side Eintracht Frankfurt with a late first-half goal.
Sounders forward Clint Dempsey equalized the German club Eintracht Frankfurt at CenturyLink Field earlier today in the 44th minute. Branimir Hrgota, a promising 24-year-old Swede in his first full season with Frankfurt, put the visitors up 1-0 after a defensive breakdown allowed United States national Timmy Chandler to send an unchallenged cross to the center of the penalty box where Hrgota was waiting for a tap-in.
Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was tested early by a flurry of chances by Frankfurt, but he held up in the match against the foreign club.
Sounders interim coach Gonzalo Pineda played a stronger lineup than expected. Dempsey got a start, as did Roman Torres and Nicolas Lodeiro. Several S2 players who were signed on short-term loans made appearances later in the game.
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S2 player Brian Nana-Sinkam made the start for Pineda, and was joined by his S2 teammates Rodrigue Ele, Francisco Narbon, Zach Mathers, and Bryan Meredith as substitutes. Narbon made an impressive midfield tackle and set up a Sounders attack in the second half.
The Sounders now have a break for the CONCACAF Gold Cup before returning to action July 19th against DC United.
The goal for Dempsey was another in a string of strong performances. Dempsey had two goals against Colorado on July 4th and stunned the Portland Timbers a few weeks ago with a late equalizer.
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The United States Men’s National Team managed a tie against Panama in their opening match in Gold Cup group play. US national team coach Bruce Arena may be pressed to put the veteran in to make up for what was regarded as a somewhat lazy performance in the Panama game. Arena likely won’t reveal how much he intends to use the Sounders star until Dempsey is available for international games.