Seattle Sounders draw with Columbus Crew on Ruidiaz penalty

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:16 am

Raul Ruidiaz scored on a second-chance penalty kick in the 79th minute as the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders rallied for a 1-1 draw with the visiting Columbus Crew on Saturday night.

Gyasi Zardes scored for Columbus (1-0-1, four points), and goalkeeper Eloy Room made three saves. Stefan Frei stopped two shots for Seattle (1-0-1).


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The Sounders were awarded a spot kick after Columbus' Harrison Afful was called for a hand ball in the 18-yard box. Room made a diving save on Ruidiaz's initial shot toward the bottom left corner of the net, but video review determined the goalie came off his line before the kick was taken, and Ruidiaz was given another try.

Ruidiaz put the second attempt just inside the left post to even the score and spoil Room's bid for a second consecutive shutout, after a 1-0 victory against visiting New York City FC in the opener.

Zardes converted in the 33rd minute after some nifty passing. Artur got the ball in the center of the field about 30 yards out from goal and passed to Luis Diaz on the right wing. Diaz settled the ball and then sent a low, bending cross to the far post, the ball skipping once off the turf before Zardes ran onto it and knocked it into the open side of the net with his left foot from about 3 yards out.

Columbus Crew players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Seattle Sounders.
Columbus Crew players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Seattle Sounders.
USA Today Images

The Sounders' Miguel Ibarra appeared to tie the score in the 53rd minute off a pass from Jordan Morris, but video review determined Ibarra was offside on the play.

Morris scored twice last weekend, the last in second-half stoppage time, as the Sounders rallied for a 2-1 victory against visiting Chicago in the season opener.

The Sounders had a chance to take an early lead on Saturday. Columbus was unable to fully clear a corner kick in the fourth minute, and defender Xavier Arreaga raced onto the ball and unleashed a 25-yard shot that forced Room to make a diving stop at the right post.