The Seattle Sounders are stuck in a serious rut, folks, because a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire at Lumen Field on Saturday afternoon means our winless streak in the league has officially hit 10 games. Yeah, you read that right, *ten* games. While we technically started a two-game undefeated streak with this draw, it’s hard to feel good when our new DP no. 9 debuted with an electric brace, only for us to blow two leads.
A Historic Debut Spoiled by Slipping Control
This game started like a dream for the Emerald City! We had solid chances in the 3rd and 6th minutes, and then our new DP no. 9 got us on the board in the 12th minute. He showed some serious skill, keeping the play alive with his knee, making a great run, and then getting a tidy finish after some slick passing down the right wing. It was the fastest any Sounders player has hit two goals in the MLS era, and you could feel the buzz in Lumen Field! But then, like clockwork, things started to slip around the half-hour mark. Chicago turned up the heat on our keeper’s goal. Our guy had to make a standout save in the 27th minute, swatting a deflected shot into the air and then grabbing it. But we just kept inviting pressure, struggling to clear the ball or break Chicago’s rhythm. It felt inevitable when Maren Haile-Selassie received a clever pass from Robert Lewandowski in the 38th minute and blasted one from the top of the box into the bottom corner to equalize. We went into halftime level, but you could already feel the frustration building.
Two Leads Blown, Despite Fresh Legs
Just minutes into the second half, our new DP no. 9 went and did it again! He took a simple pass from one of our midfielders at the top of the box, set himself up, and absolutely rifled a shot in off the underside of the crossbar in the 48th minute. A second lead, a second spark! The coaching staff even brought on a trio of now-healthy players who can make a real impact, including our very own Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan, to push for more. We created chances, too. In the 81st minute, Morris got out into the open field, played it wide to a midfielder who set up a good shot, but Jack Elliott made an excellent block for the Fire. And what happened immediately after? Chicago marched straight down the field. Puso Dithejane put in a cross for Lewandowski, who was matched up against one of our young defenders and delivered an impressive header at the back post to equalize again in the 82nd minute. Two leads, two chances to extend the advantage, and we just couldn’t seal the deal.
It’s tough, Seattle. Our new DP no. 9 is clearly a game-changer, but we can’t keep giving away leads like this. We’re showing flashes, we’re creating chances, but the winless run hitting double digits stings. We need to find a way to lock it down and support these incredible individual efforts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Sounder at Heart.
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