Joveljic scores twice as Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire draw 2-2

Seattle Sounders drew 2-2 with Chicago Fire at Lumen Field on Saturday, with neither side claiming the win. Seattle led twice through D. Joveljic, but Chicago responded on each occasion and earned a point through R. Lewandowski’s 82nd-minute equaliser.

Joveljic gives Seattle the lead twice

Seattle made the brighter start and went ahead in the 12th minute. S. Gomez supplied the assist for D. Joveljic, who finished to put the hosts 1-0 up. Chicago gradually found a response, and M. Haile-Selassie levelled six minutes before half-time after receiving the final pass from R. Lewandowski. The teams went into the interval at 1-1.

Joveljic restored Seattle’s advantage just three minutes after the restart. This time, A. Rusnak created the goal, giving the Seattle forward his second of the match. Chicago continued to press, and the visitors eventually produced the late equaliser in the 82nd minute. Lewandowski scored after an assist from P. Dithejane, completing the scoring at 2-2.

Chicago controlled more of the play

The scoreline suggested a closely balanced contest, but Chicago carried the greater attacking threat across the match. The Fire had 55% possession and completed 550 passes at an 87% accuracy rate, compared with Seattle’s 45% possession, 447 passes and 83% accuracy. Chicago also led 15-11 in total shots and had a significant 10-3 advantage in shots on goal.

That pressure was not fully reflected in the result. Chicago’s expected-goals figure was 1.60 against Seattle’s 0.80, while Seattle converted two of their three shots on target. Andrew Thomas was central to keeping the hosts ahead, making eight saves for Seattle, compared with one save for the Chicago goalkeeper. The Fire also won the corner-kick count 7-4 and recorded more attempts inside the box, 11-7.

One booking as both sides settle for a point

S. Brunell received Seattle’s only yellow card in the 51st minute, and Chicago finished without a booking. Brunell was replaced by C. Roldan six minutes later. Seattle also introduced J. Morris and H. Dotson in the 69th minute, while Chicago brought on P. Dithejane, J. Bamba and S. Oregel, with Dithejane later providing the assist for the equaliser.

Points added at opposite ends of the standings

Dejan Joveljić was the standout performer, earning a match rating of 8.9 after scoring twice and registering two shots on target in 91 minutes. The result gives Seattle one point to add to their listed total of 25 and Chicago one to add to 36. Seattle were listed 13th in the Western Conference and Chicago third in the Eastern Conference before the match. It also adds a draw to each team’s latest form, following Seattle’s listed recent loss and Chicago’s listed recent loss.