Major League Soccer
FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders settle for 1-1 draw in Cincinnati
Evander's 24th-minute opener cancelled out by Kossa-Rienzi's 83rd-minute strike in a tense MLS contest.
FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders played out a 1-1 draw at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, with the hosts failing to hold onto an early lead.
Evander gave the home side the lead in the 24th minute, striking to put FC Cincinnati 1-0 up heading into the break. The goal settled the team down in the first half, but they struggled to extend their advantage.
Both sides had opportunities to change the game before halftime. Seattle pulled one back in the 83rd minute when K. Kossa-Rienzi scored, with A. Rusnak providing the assist. The goal set up a nervy finish at TQL Stadium.
Discipline issues emerged late in the first half as R. Sailor was shown a yellow card for Seattle in the 38th minute. B. J. Ramirez Leon picked up a booking for the home side in the 64th minute, and P. Kingston added a second yellow for Seattle in the 75th minute.
Despite the late pressure from the visitors, FC Cincinnati managed to see out the result. The point leaves them fifth in the Eastern Conference on 30 points after 20 games.
Seattle remain 12th in the Western Conference with 24 points from 19 matches. The draw does little to improve their playoff position as the season enters its final third.
Referee Drew Fischer of Canada oversaw the contest, which kicked off at 11:30pm UTC. The result means both teams will look to regroup quickly in their upcoming fixtures.
FC Cincinnati will aim to turn this draw into a win when they next take to the field, while Seattle must address defensive lapses if they hope to climb the Western Conference table.