By Steven Agen

The Seattle Sounders youth movement was on display for the first time in 2015, with 5 regular starters out due to injury and national team call-ups. Zach Scott, Andy Rose, and Chad Barrett started their first match this season, and Cristian Roldan received his full debut from Sigi Schmid. It was announced in the build up to the match that Obafemi Martins had injured his quad in a friendly with Tijuana earlier this week, leading to a 4-2-3-1 formation from the visitors.

The match was ugly, plain and simple. Rife with long balls, reserve players, and a red card, neither side ever really hit their stride. Dallas looked hamstrung by the card, and couldn’t get their danger men on the ball enough to threaten. Seattle did not have the quality in the 18 to find a winner, and looked awfully static.

The match opened with Dallas carrying the majority of the possession. Seattle sat back and were relatively comfortable absorbing pressure, however they offered little going forward. Barrett looked isolated up top, and Neagle continued his poor form to start the season as he was absent for most of the half. The Sounders seemed content repelling Dallas. The attack consisted of lumping aimless long balls forward, though, and it made for an ugly match.

The Sounders found some space on the counter on 18 minutes. The ball rolled to Andy Rose in the center, and he was cleated in the midsection by Kellyn Acosta as he played forward. Play slipped over to Tyrone Mears, who put in a dangerous low cross which was cleared away for a corner. Referee Kevin Stott proceeded to stop play and show Acosta a straight red card for the earlier challenge on Rose. It was a strange sequence, as everyone in the park expected to see a yellow issued. Rare is the day when play is allowed to go on when a red card offense has been committed.

The match changed after Seattle went up a man, but didn’t get any more aesthetic. The Sounders out possessed the hosts for the remaining half hour of the first period, but failed to create any clear cut looks. They finished the half without recording a shot. Dallas nearly got on the scoresheet on 29 minutes when Michel hit the bar from 19 yards out on a free kick.

In truth, the card was good for the match as it seemingly evened the sides out despite the extra man for Seattle. Given the inexperience of the Sounders lineup, it was more like getting back to level terms for the visitors. They must be commended for defending well and keeping Fabian Castillo quiet. Most of the credit goes to Tyrone Mears, who was the best player on the pitch in the opening half. He dispossessed Castillo a number of times and his crosses represented the closest thing to a breakthrough the Sounders could find. Brad Evans shook off his poor performance against San Jose and was sure-footed in quashing what few Dallas attacks came his way.

The second half was marked by a number of missed chances by Chad Barrett. In a similarly ugly 45 minutes of soccer, the visitors continued to control the run of play without creating more than a handful of chances. The best of those chances were the three that fell for Barrett.

The forward got his first look when a cross from the left side found Barrett behind the defense at the top of the 6. His header angled the ball low into the grass, but wide of Chris Seitz’ goal. As the half progressed, Barrett was nearly on the end of a delightful chip from Michael Azira. The holding midfielder scooped the ball over a Dallas back four stationed at the top of the 18, and Barrett couldn’t quite corral it enough to fashion a shot.

Barrett’s best look came just two minutes later, and was the best chance of the night for Seattle on the whole. Lamar Neagle received the ball in space near midfield following a Dallas set piece. Chad Barrett ran unmarked down the opposite flank, and Neagle played a well-weighted ball to the lone forward. Barrett took several touches before shooting wide of the far post as Seitz rapidly approached. Given the number of clean looks Barrett had, the Sounders will feel they missed out on three points they never really should have been in the running for.

Victor Mansaray and Oniel Fisher made their first team debuts in the second half, coming for Barrett and Azira respectively. Aaron Kovar also received his first meaningful MLS minutes since last July, replacing Cristian Roldan with Seattle’ first sub. The lineup was littered with young players for the Sounders. Rodlan showed real potential, as did Mansaray. Kovar continues to show that his set-piece acumen is the main facet of his game. Fisher, slotting in at right midfield despite being a natural fullback, wasn’t on for long enough to make a real impact.

In truth, Seattle would likely return home empty handed had it not been for Acosta’s red card. The ejection was the most telling moment of the match, and significantly shaped the proceedings from then on. Given the circumstances, playing up a man for 72 minutes, one must feel that if any of Seattle’s star attackers had been available they would have found a goal.

FC Dallas will lament Acosta’s rash decision, which cost them any chance at a victory. However, the back four did well to limit Seattle while playing down a man for most of the match. It is naturally disappointing to not reach the first 4-0-0 mark in club history against such a weakened squad, but few ever get a result playing down a man for that long.

It was gritty, hard-fought and filled with fresh faces. It ended scoreless, and had something positive for both sides. For neutrals, this is one to skip on MLS Live. Seattle next play Houston at home next weekend, while Dallas will travel to Providence Park to play the Timbers.