When it comes to first and last in the Sounders record books, Fredy Montero only wants to be associated to the refrain when it comes to goal scoring.
Montero was part of the Sounders’ first postseason team, also the inaugural year in 2009. As the game clock seemed to tick to the end of that 13-year streak, the ball found Montero inches outside the box with a quartet of FC Cincinnati defenders closing in.
The club’s all-time leading scorer — including the first goal — took a gutsy swipe at goal. And like the first more than a decade ago, the powerful shot zipped past FCC keeper Roman Celentano and buried into the back of the net.
The Sounders had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Lumen Field, which ultimately may not be enough to get the team above the playoff line come the season finale Oct. 9. But the end didn’t come Tuesday night.
A significant portion of the announced crowd of 31,291 were not in their seats. Those who were suffered another dent in their belief and confidence early in the opening half.
The Sounders’ defensive line played high, center back AB Cissoko botching a tackle that FCC forward Brenner space to frolic in before beating keeper Stefan Frei one-on-one for a right-footed goal in the 24th minute.
It was the Brazilian’s sixth goal in his past three MLS matches, all against Western Conference opponents.
Sounders forward Will Bruin had a nice play for a header in the 35th minute. FCC keeper Roman Celentano stretched to make the impressive one-handed save.
As the sides headed into the break, most gathered Lumen, including the Sounders players and technical staff, understood losing to be a death knell to the club’s playoff hopes. Seattle is now five points below Minnesota for the seventh and final berth in the Western Conference with two matches remaining — none against teams ahead of them in the standings.
Tuesday’s match was rescheduled from that spring. MLS made the accommodation to help the Sounders focus on their ultimately successful CONCACAF Champions League run.
But the match falling at the end of the FIFA international break, meant the Sounders were missing five players due to national team call-ups. Co-captain Nico Lodeiro was out due to a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Among the changes to the starting lineup Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer was forced to make was slotting in midfielder Ethan Dobbelaere and Cissoko. It was their first appearances since July for each of the players.
Seattle did see the return of midfielder Cristian Roldan, who underwent groin surgery in August. He subbed on in the 55th minute for Cissoko and was the first to inject Lumen with hope.
Shortly after, midfielder Kelyn Rowe had a low cross to Montero for the equalizer. Roldan nearly had the game-winner in the 60th minute but it narrowly missed goal.
Rowe was ejected in the 69th minute.
The Sounders (12-16-4) play their final road match of the regular season when they face Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.
Sounders striker Raul Ruidiaz (Peru) and defender Alex Roldan (El Salvador) started for their national teams when the sides played a friendly on Tuesday. But Ruidiaz suffered an apparent leg injury and was subbed off in the 12th minute of the eventual 3-1 win for Peru.