Sounders, FC Dallas play to scoreless draw in defensive battle

The Seattle Sounders did just enough to produce a scoreless draw against FC Dallas on Saturday in a Western Conference clash in Frisco, Texas.

It was the third straight regular-season draw between the rivals, and the 13th in the 44-match all-time series between Seattle and Dallas.

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FC Dallas (1-4-2, five points) settled for a scoreless result for the second straight match and have not found the back of the net since Eugene Ansah scored in the 51st minute of a 2-1 loss against Austin FC on March 30. Dallas is mired in a six-match winless streak since a season-opening victory at home vs. San Jose.

Dallas' Maarten Paes had two saves to earn his second consecutive clean sheet and the 17th of his three-year MLS career. The Sounders' Stefan Frei matched his counterpart by stopping two shots to record his second straight shutout and the 107th of his career.

Dallas outshot the Sounders 12-8 while Seattle forged advantages in possession (56.4 percent to 43.6 percent), total passes (589-451) and passing accuracy (87.3 percent to 82.9 percent). The Sounders also had an expected goal edge of 1.5-0.9.

Dallas produced the match's first shot on goal when Ansah tested Frei from the left side of the box in the sixth minute, but the attempt was easily turned away by the Sounders' goalkeeper.

Seattle (1-3-3, six points) pressed the attack, getting shots on goal from Raul Ruidiaz, Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan in the 27th, 30th and 31st minute, respectively, but none had a real chance to beat Paes.

After halftime, Dallas again went on the offensive, as Petar Musa had a shot from outside the box that was saved by Frei in the 49th minute.

That was the last serious attempt by either team to score in a defensive battle.