David Estrada’s goal in the the 61st minute saved Sounders FC from another dubious defeat against a lesser opponent, salvaging a 1-1 against Chivas USA Saturday night in Carson, CA.
Seattle’s unbeaten streak on the road grew to 10 (7-0-3), two short of the MLS record set by Dallas in 2010. The Sounders are 0-2-2 over their last four games.
Things looked grim in the 57th minute when the Sounders (7-2-4), missing three starters due to injury and Osvaldo Alonso to a suspension, gave up a goal to U.S. national team player Juan Agudelo. He took a superb cross from former Sounder James Riley near the top of the box and headed in a score past goalie Bryan Meredith, who appeared to take a big risk in coming forward to play the ball.
But four minutes later, Chivas (4-6-3) gave it back when Alex Caskey, after taking a feed from Fredy Montero, sent a near-perfect cross to the streaking Estrada, who redirected the ball from eight yards out toward the far post and left Chivas goal Dan Kennedy no play.
Caskey was inserted moments earlier by by coach Sigi Schmid, replacing Alvaro Fernandez.
Estrada started the game up front with Montero. The usual starting striker, Eddie Johnson, was held out until the 72nd minute, apparently for rest, when he came on for Montero.
The game was the first of seven MLS road games over the next nine for the Sounders, whose three losses have all been at home. They don’t resume MLS play until June 16 at Montreal, as U.S. Open Cup slides into the schedule.
The Sounders play a third-round Cup match at 7 p.m. Wednesday against the Atlanta Silverbacks at Starfire in Tukwila.
