See-saw match comes to rest even in Colorado

Rapids, Sounders FC both launch comebacks in 2-2 draw

Fredy Montero scored his first goal for Seattle Sounders FC since March 28. (AP)

But showing their fairy-tale expansion season hasn't lost its magic, Sounders FC managed to fight back despite being dominated in every manner measurable for nearly 60 minutes, collecting a goal from Nate Jaqua in the 76th minute before the teams ended in a 2-2 draw Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Fredy Montero had put the visitors ahead in the first meeting ever between the two clubs in the 17th minute. But Colin Clark tied the game, then the Rapids got the go-ahead goal on a Conor Casey shot two minutes into the second half - a shot so hard even a deflection from a Seattle defender couldn't keep it from its target.

Yet after a string of Kasey Keller saves kept Seattle close, Jaqua controlled a knocked-down cross long enough to get an awkward shot off into the left corner, eluding Rapids 'keeper Matt Pickens and giving Sounders FC their fourth consecutive draw.

Despite an uncharacteristically slow start, the Rapids picked up their game quickly in the first half, controlling the pace and demonstrating one of their most clinical passing displays of the season.

Sounders FC lost one of their primary playmakers when Osvaldo Alonso went down with a right quad strain in the second minute and left the field for substitute Stephen King.

Colorado had a couple back-to-back chances in front of the net, the first on a ninth-minute feed from Clark behind Casey, and the next seconds later on a soft cross that Casey headed toward the goal but without enough power to get past Keller.

Seattle took the early lead as Montero shot from within the area and took his own deflection off the right post, heading it into the left side of the net for the opener in the 17th minutes.

Colorado had a great chance in the 22nd minute when Clark took a free kick from midfield and Omar Cummings headed to the net, just missing a goal as it hit the crossbar and bounced back.

The Rapids finally connected in the 25th minute, with Ugo Ihemelu sending a pass up to Cummings in deep traffic. Cummings slipped the ball to Ballouchy beside him, who sprung Cummings with a leading pass down the line. Cummings beat the defenders to the ball and centered it to Clark, who drilled it to the right corner of the net from 10 yards out to draw Colorado level.

In the 35th, Cummings lifted a ball back into the middle, where an airborne Casey headed toward the net again, only to have it deflected out of bounds by Keller.

The Rapids gained momentum as the half went on, with their passing game peaking and the pressure they applied unrelenting.

Tyrone Marshall narrowly missed an equalizer off a corner kick from Sebastien Le Toux in the 38th minute, skipping a header off the bar.

Keller preserved the tie going into halftime with a brilliant save against Colorado's Nick LaBrocca in stoppage time. The Rapids midfielder slipped past the Sounders FC defense for a one-on-one chance against Keller, but the veteran 'keeper made a diving stop to prevent the go-ahead goal.

The key to the match figured to be how the teams adapted after the half, but Seattle had no luck stopping Colorado's attack as Casey dribbled a ball into the box in the 47th minute and drilled it off the leg of a defender and past the reach of Keller to put the Rapids ahead.

Colorado continued to control the match, pressuring Seattle at the net and outshooting them 2-1 at one point, and 5-1 with shots on target.

Seattle's late goal changed the dynamics of the match, as the two teams scrambled to secure the full three points. With Colorado riding a three-game undefeated streak and Seattle coming to town with their own four-match streak, neither team found a way to claim victory.

The Rapids hit the road next weekend, heading back to the East Coast to take on the New York Red Bulls, while Sounders FC return home to take on defending MLS champion Columbus Crew in a long-awaited meeting.

Owen Perkins is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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