After an aggressive first half, visiting Toronto FC emerged from Qwest Field with a point after a 0-0 draw against Seattle Sounders FC.
Despite missing several chances to score in the first half, TFC's defense held firm as Seattle failed to score for its third consecutive match at Qwest Field. Despite a furious stoppage-time rally from the home team led by substitute Sebastien Le Toux, Seattle had to settle for the draw.
The early aggressors, visiting Toronto had five great chances to open the scoring in the first half.
TFC came out attacking from the opening whistle, just missing on a glorious opportunity in the third minute. Off a punt from goalkeeper Stefan Frei, Dwayne De Rosario ran onto a Chad Barrett's expert flick. De Rosario eluded Seattle's Kasey Keller to get an opportunity on the open net, but the ball just hit his plant leg as he shot and rolled wide.
De Rosario continued to press, triggering the Reds' offense. After missing the target with an unmarked header in the early going, his cross barely eluded a diving Barrett in the 22nd minute as Toronto continued to step on the gas. The Canadian international was once again involved in the buildup that led to Amado Guevara's shot a minute later. Stepping inside of Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso, the Honduran rattled the crossbar with Keller beaten as the visitors recorded the first six shots of the match.
It took 26 minutes for Seattle to put a shot on goal, with Freddie Ljungberg's effort from just outside the penalty area covered by a diving Frei.
Toronto's Sam Cronin also had an excellent chance to score late in the first half, after being sent through on a ball from De Rosario. The rookie hit the ball first time with Keller rushing out, missing the goal by a wide margin.
Seattle did close out the half with a good opportunity from Ljungberg's free kick. Streaking in front of the crowd, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado made good contact on the diving header but failed to force a save from Frei. However, Seattle did not cause any real worry as Toronto controlled the run of play in the first half, outshooting Seattle 7-2.
Both teams came out with identical lineups in the second half, which did not yield any great scoring chances until Seattle nearly unlocked Toronto's defense. Off a give-and-go, Fredy Montero, who had been quiet, found an unmarked Alonso in the penalty box. The Cuban took a first-touch shot, but the effort lacked zip as Frei made the save.
As the second half continued, Ljungberg started to shake loose. He eluded the defense in the 61st minute, forcing Frei to tip a shot over his own crossbar. Four minutes later, Ljungberg's right-footed effort skittered wide of the far post as the home crowd started to awaken. Pete Vagenas and Le Toux entered the game as the momentum shifted towards the home team. Off a scramble, Le Toux nearly scored but Wynne headed the ball to safety off the goal line.
However, any momentum Seattle might have earned dissipated after a skirmish in front of Toronto's bench. With the physical nature of the teams' first meeting, perhaps an altercation was inevitable. This one started with De Rosario and Hurtado confronting with one another and ended with yellow cards for De Rosario and Ljungberg, who had entered the fray later. Ljungberg's yellow card means the Swede will miss Seattle's next game.
When the action resumed, Le Toux once again made an impression on the game, combining with Jaqua on the left side. With the chance to shoot or cross, Le Toux sent a ball towards Brad Evans in the middle of the box, but the midfielder's shot attempt was broken up by Nick Garcia. Injured on the play, Evans had to leave the game, walking tenderly.
Just minutes later, Nate Jaqua was banged up in a collision with Toronto's Emmanuel Gomez and also had to leave the field briefly. With Seattle chasing the winning goal, the skirmish and two injuries milked precious time off the clock.
With the regular methods coming up empty, Seattle went to the spectacular in an attempt to break through. Osvaldo Alonso juggled the ball up for a bicycle kick, but the effort lacked conviction as the game moved into stoppage time without a goal.
Le Toux had a hand in Seattle's last, and possibly best, two scoring chances. In the first attempt, Le Toux collected Evans' ball as he burst through the defense. After a touch, he aimed for the far post but his shot went straight into the goalkeeper's arms. Seconds later, the Frenchman found Alonso inside the 6-yard box. Frei came up with the save of the game, cutting down the angle as the shot rebounded off his torso in the game's final action.
Toronto FC returns to action next week, completing their three-game road trip with a vital game at the Colorado Rapids in the first game of a home-and-home series. Sounders FC have the international date off, next playing at D.C. United on Sept. 12.
