Absent seven starters, SKC were surely there for the taking especially once Dom Dwyer scratched after injuring his neck in the warm up.

Sounders had no shots on goal despite 69% of possession in an odd first half. Sounders continued to dominate possession but they were as cold as they had been hot last week.

As much as Sigi Schmid outcoached Carl Robinson last week, he was bested by Peter Vermes and his reserves this week.

Stefan Frei 6.5: He got down well to clasp a deflected drive from Jacob Peterson. He made a great save from Feilhaber in stoppage time which he made look easier than it was. That aside, he was a spectator as frustrated as anyone else.

Dylan Remick 6.5: He got forward more than ever and looked dangerous in a way Leo Gonzalez rarely does. He provided a rare wide option as Dempsey and Barrett were smothered by a well organised SKC defense. The lack  of finishing was partly down to the poor crossing, but more down to Barrett not retaining his matching touch and an almost invisible Clint Dempsey.

Brad Evans 6.5: Some good tidying up early on. He sht from distance when his side had a 4 v 3 advantage. There were better options. Both he and Marshall lost Peterson in 51 who he had a free header. A nice overhead kick to put the ball back into danger on 83′. Still a clean sheet is a clean sheet, even against a weakened and tired opponent.

Tyrone Mears 6.5: A good early interception, but he needed to get forward more against an ultra-defensive side. His coolness was not what was needed.

Chad Marshall 6: Very little to do against an unambitious opponent. Slightly less involved otherwise than the other backs.

Osvaldo Alonso 6.5: He played a ball dangerously across his own goal early, but atoned with a later excellent cross field pass to the left wing. Caught by Zusi in 80′ which nearly proved fatal. However, there were signs of his old aggression. It’s hard to tackle hard when your own side has the ball all the time.

Lamar Neagle 6: (off in 64′) His glancing header o the half hour, was a good 30 inches wide. He switched around a lot, on the right on front of Pappa and then also up top in front of Dempsey. Drove abysmally wide inside 26 seconds of the second half. Still he looked more dangerous and lively than anyone. However, in the absence of anything else, he needs to become a deadlier finisher to avoid being a perennial substitute.

Gonzalo Pineda 4.5: Made little impact on this game until he landed painfully on his ankle in 68′. Quite how he survived when Neagle and Pappa were taken off is a mystery. Robbed Zusi well as the SKC veteran tried to run down the clock to recycle. Went down in stoppage time with the side having no subs left. Surely his place  in the starting XI must be in question.

Marco Pappa 5: (on in 73′) His first corner failed to breach the first defender. He lost possession and was relieved to see how poor Nemeth’s shot was. He found himself having to go back deeper and deeper to get the ball. This was a game when Pappa at his best was needed.

Clint Dempsey 4: He gets paid how much? For this? Dempsey reacted perhaps too well to get onto a Barrett header but his early connection with Barrett looked dangerous. His goal or assist streak came pitifully to an end tonight and Dempsey has to learn to play wel when the team are playing badly, as well as feast on chances when they are provided to him.

Chad Barrett 5.5: (off in 83′) From the moment, he nudged Feilhaber off the ball in 50 seconds, he looked dangerous. He failed to connect a great chance in 28. His off the ball runs proved better than his touch tonight. Should have done better in 83′ when Evans’ bicycle kick landed at his feet. Taken off thereafter. Sadly he finished as poorly as he did well in Vancouver.

Frei’s late save salvages draw for Sounders FC against depleted Sporting KC

Substitutes:

Andy Rose 3.5: (on in 64′) Nearly won a PK in his first minute but it was no foul and a poor first touch by the Australian. Compounded it with a dive two minutes later. Sounders’ bench frightens no-one yet this season but as their season has been relatively injury free, it hasn’t needed to.

Cristian Roldan 6.5: (on in 73′) He looked dangerous from the moment he came on and drew the game’s first yellow card from Mustivar. Drew another foul from the tiring Feilhaber but neither set piece came to anything.

Darwin Jones: (on in 83′) His time on the pitch was practically the only period that SKC dominated, so he had little chance to get involved.