Sounders and Crew Share the Spotlight in Gritty Draw at Lumen Field
What a match we just witnessed between the Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew—it had everything a top-tier MLS clash should offer: moments of brilliance, tactical intensity, and a hard-fought 1-1 draw that left fans wanting more.
Let me set the scene. On a bright Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field, with fans still buzzing from Seattle’s Club World Cup performances and a solid win over Austin FC last week, the Sounders welcomed one of the league’s most possession-hungry teams, the Columbus Crew. Both sides entered with momentum. Seattle wanted to prove they were more than just a good story in global competition. Columbus? They were riding a three-game winning streak and were out to show they could win big games on the road too.
Early on, it was Columbus who broke through first. Diego Rossi—sharp as ever—timed his run to the back post perfectly and converted after the Crew dismantled Seattle’s press. It was a reminder of how clinical this Columbus team can be when they get space to breathe and combine. They thrive on control, passing through pressure like few others can in this league.
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But the Sounders didn’t fold. In fact, they responded in style, and what a sequence it was. It all started with Obed Vargas winning the ball high up the pitch—pure tenacity. From there, it was a beautiful 15-pass build-up that ended with Kalani Kossa-Rienzi slicing through defenders before laying it off to Paul Rothrock, who calmly slotted in the equalizer. That was Rothrock’s third of the season and probably his most significant, not just for the point it earned but for the confidence it injected into the squad.
Credit to Brian Schmetzer—Seattle’s depth and tactical flexibility continue to be key talking points. Even with injuries to key players like João Paulo and Yeimar Gómez Andrade, and with Reed Baker-Whiting suspended, the team adapted. Nouhou slotted in on the backline, and there were whispers pregame about whether Jordan Morris might finally start. He didn’t, but the forward line still looked potent in flashes, especially when Jesús Ferreira drifted into dangerous spots.
Speaking of Ferreira, his adaptation into this Seattle squad continues to be a storyline. He’s not yet fully clicked in, but you can see the intent. He’s trying to find chemistry with Albert Rusnák, who still wears the creative crown as Seattle’s No. 10. It’s a work in progress, but if they get it right, this attack could look scary come playoff time.
As for the Crew, they’ll be a little disappointed not to come away with all three points, but considering they’ve struggled on the road lately, this is still a valuable result. Missing key players like goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and defender Rudy Camacho, they held firm when Seattle pushed in the second half. Jacen Russell-Rowe looked dangerous in stretches, though his finishing touch was missing this time around.
All in all, this was a fair result. It was a battle between two true contenders—Seattle proving they can fight through adversity and Columbus continuing to stake their claim as a title favorite even while shorthanded. The Sounders will feel they left something on the table, but also that they’re right there, especially with players like Rothrock stepping up.
And let’s not forget: with every point, Seattle inches closer to the Supporters' Shield race. The gap is narrowing. Columbus, meanwhile, solidifies their spot among the elite, even without full strength. From here on out, every match matters—and both of these teams look ready for the stretch run.
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