FC Cincinnati were left frustrated after Seattle Sounders FC claimed a hard-earned 1-1 draw at TQL Stadium on Saturday night, with Kalani Kossa-Rienzi’s 83rd-minute goal cancelling out Evander’s first-half opener.
Cincinnati controlled much of the MLS fixture and made their territorial advantage count in the 24th minute. Evander found the breakthrough to give the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead, capping a first half in which Cincinnati dictated possession and consistently pushed Seattle back.
The home side went into the interval ahead and continued to control the ball after the restart. Cincinnati finished with 70.1% possession, 17 shots, nine efforts on target and nine corners, but could not produce the second goal that would have put the match beyond Seattle’s reach.
Seattle, despite seeing only 29.9% of possession and registering three shots on target, stayed in the contest. Their resilience was rewarded seven minutes from time when Kossa-Rienzi struck in the 83rd minute to level the match at 1-1.
The closing stages brought urgency from Cincinnati, but Seattle protected the point through four minutes of stoppage time. Ryan Sailor was booked for the visitors in the 38th minute, while Bryan Ramirez and Peter Kingston received second-half yellow cards.
It was a legitimate point for Seattle after weathering sustained pressure, while Cincinnati will rue their inability to turn control into a decisive second goal. FC Cincinnati return to action against Nashville SC on August 29, while Seattle Sounders FC host Chicago Fire FC on the same day.
Goals
- FC Cincinnati: Evander, 24′
- Seattle Sounders FC: Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, 83′
