Jordan Morris' quick strike helps nine-man Sounders earn draw with LAFC

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:23 am

Jordan Morris scored and the shorthanded Seattle Sounders held on for a 1-1 tie with the visiting Los Angeles Football Club on Sunday afternoon.

The Sounders (5-1-3, 18 points) played the final 72 minutes short-handed after Cristian Roldan received a red card for striking LAFC's Eduard Atuesta in the face and were down to nine players by the end of the match after Kelvin Leerdam received a red in second-half stoppage time.

Leerdam was ejected for a hard foul just on Diego Rossi just outside the penalty area in extra time. Referee Ted Unkel originally signaled a penalty kick, but after video review it was determined the foul came just outside the top of the 18-yard box. Carlos Vela's subsequent free kick sailed just over the crossbar.

Vela scored the lone goal for MLS-leading LAFC (7-1-2, 23 points), which defeated the Sounders 4-1 a week earlier in Los Angeles.

Both teams scored in the opening five minutes.

Morris tallied just 46 seconds into the contest after a defensive miscue by LAFC.

Defender Eddie Segura attempted a no-look pass back to goalkeeper Tyler Miller from just inside midfield. Morris was there to steal the ball and dribbled into the penalty area before putting a low, left-footed shot from about 15 yards just inside the left post.

LAFC wasted little time in evening the score, as Jordan Harvey's pass sent Rossi alone down the left wing in the fourth minute. Rossi dribbled to the end line and sent a low cross through the goalmouth for Vela, who tapped the ball into the net for his league-leading 11th goal of the season.

Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei made four saves in preserving the tie.

LAFC had two opportunities to take the lead in the opening minutes of the second half.

Atuesta's attempt from 18 yards sailed just over the crossbar in the 46th minute and Christian Ramirez put a sliding shot from about a yard out over the bar in the 48th minute.

Seattle managed a point against LAFC for the first time in four meetings after losing a pair of 1-0 decisions last year in Los Angeles' expansion season.