SAN JOSE, CALIF. — If ever there were a game of give and take, the Seattle Sounders played one Saturday.
Seattle opened with one of its fullest, healthiest rosters in months. But that changed over the first hour of play against the San Jose Earthquakes, as three Sounders starters left the pitch with injuries.
The injuries seemed like they could prove fatal as the San Jose Earthquakes jumped ahead in the 70th minute. But the Sounders got that back in the 81st minute, when Obafemi Martins sent in the equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw at sold out Avaya Stadium.
The result keeps Seattle (13-13-3) three points ahead of the Earthquakes (11-11-6) in the MLS Western Conference standings.
Seattle’s three designated players — Martins, Clint Dempsey and Nelson Valdez — all shared the starting lineup for the first time.
However, late in the first half newly acquired central defender Nelson Torres took an awkward fall and limped off the pitch with an apparent leg or knee injury. He was replaced by Zach Scott, in his 100th appearance for the Sounders.
Meanwhile, midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz made his first appearance, checking in at the start of the second half for Brad Evans, who had taken a ball to the face early in the match. Ivanschitz had signed with the Sounders on Aug. 4, but his debut was delayed due to a quadriceps injury.
In the 59th minute, Valdez waived himself off after struggling up the pitch.
The goal came about 10 minutes later, after a foul was called on Seattle defender Oniel Fisher. Quakes assists leader Matias Perez Garcia sent his free kick in front of the Seattle goal, where Fatai Alashe headed it home.
The Sounders equalized on Martins’ 12th goal of the season. The play began with a free kick from Ivanschitz. Scott was first to the ball and almost got the goal himself, but Martins was there to finish the rebound.
Seattle first assistant coach Brian Schmetzer presided over the match after coach Sigi Schmid stayed home on doctor’s orders after an undisclosed health problem.
The Sounders return to MLS play Saturday at Vancouver.
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