SEATTLE — Sporting Kansas City (1-0-0) scored in the 73rd minute on Nuno Andre Coelho’s shot from 30 yards out for the lone tally of the match. Seattle Sounders FC (0-0-1) played a man down after defender Oniel Fisher’s red card ejection in the 41st minute.
Sporting KC patiently waited to break a scoreless deadlock until the 73rd minute of play. Defender Nuno Andre Coelho’s long-distance strike appeared to be an easy save for goalkeeper Stefan Frei. The Seattle stopper watched in horror as the ball skidded underneath his right arm and into the goal. Torrential rains may have contributed to Frei’s misjudgment on Coelho’s shot.
The visitors gained an edge when referee Alan Kelly ejected Fisher with four minutes left in the first half. Fisher, who started in place of right back Tyrone Mears, slid with two feet into midfielder Connor Hallisey. Kelly reacted by reaching into his pocket for the red card and send the Sounder defender off the pitch.
Before the ejection, the Sounders failed on several first half scoring opportunities. Forward Clint Dempsey and midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz passed to their right to set up a Jordan Morris one-on-one scoring opportunity. The highly touted rookie’s right footed strike from inside the box flew over the goal to keep the match scoreless.
Dempsey and defender Chad Marshall were both thwarted in the 14th minute of play. Dempsey’s free kick from outside the 18-yard-box required a one-handed deflection by SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia. On the subsequent corner kick, Marshall’s header hit the crossbar.
Sporting responded seven minutes later with their own chance to take the lead. Dom Dwyer sent a perfect through-pass to Hallisey. Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei used his right knee to block the close-range shot.
Despite being a man down, the Sounders threatened early second half. Ivanschitz’s left-footed strike was deflected into the crossbar by Melia and back into the field of play. Nelson Valdez attempted an acrobatic kick that missed the open goal.
Next Saturday Seattle plays its first away match of the year against Real Salt Lake. On the same day, Sporting KC hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps in their home opener.
Quick facts
— The Sounders played without the services of last year’s leading scorer Obafemi Martins. The Nigerian striker opted to play in China with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.
— With the loss, Seattle ended an eight-match regular season unbeaten streak (4-0-4) dating back to the 2015 campaign.
— SKC finished their six-game preseason schedule undefeated.
— Oniel Fisher started in place of Tyrone Mears at the right back slot. According to a Sounders FC media official, Mears was held out due to a quad strain.
— SKC outshot Seattle 13-8, and held a 59-41% edge in possession.
