Seattle Sounders 0, Columbus Crew SC 0 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Ian Nicholas Quillen

Columbus Crew SC overcame Pedro Santos' 15th-minute dismissal to preserve a 0-0 draw against the Seattle Sounders Saturday afternoon at CenturyLink Field.

Referee Hilario Grajeda gave Santos his marching orders after Video Review looked at Santos' very high follow through on a challenge that caught Alex Roldan's jaw.

However, Zack Steffen required only one save to preserve a third clean sheet for Crew SC, who before halftime looked more dangerous than the Sounders despite going down a man.

Seattle held much more possession after the break, but were shutout for a fifth time in seven games. Sounders playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro was a late injury scratch.

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Sounders GM Garth Lagerwey has made it clear his team will be seeking offensive help in the Secondary Transfer Window. But if Seattle don't solve some of their offensive woes in the 10 games before that period opens, it may be too little, too late.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Steffen wasn't forced into a ton of action, but the Columbus goalkeeper made a fabulous reaction save in the 73rd minute to deny Clint Dempsey a near-certain matchwinner.
MAN OF THE MATCH: It's not often a center back wins this honor, but Lalas Abubakar's consistent presence in Columbus' backline was a big reason Crew SC will head back east with a point.