• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Alonso's tally gives Sounders upper hand against FCD

Nov 3, 2014 - 4:06 AM Frisco, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Osvaldo Alonso's second-half goal gave the Seattle Sounders the upper hand in their Western Conference semifinal tie on Sunday as the club battled to a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium.

After claiming the U.S. Open Cup back in September and Supporters' Shield a few weeks ago, Seattle began its quest to win its third trophy of the season and had the better of the play early on.

Obafemi Martins created the first great chance of the night for the visitors when he got in behind the FC Dallas defense and went in on goal alone, but hit his strike directly at FCD goalkeeper Raul Fernandez.

But it was the home side the grabbed the lead in the 34th minute when Andres Escobar worked his way past two Sounders into the penalty box and was taken down on the slide by Marco Pappa, resulting in a penalty kick.

Michel stepped to the spot and blasted it past the outstretched arm of Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Seattle drew level in the 54th minute with some excellent set-piece work. Pappa atoned for his rash tackle earlier by sending a perfect free kick between the FCD back line and the goalkeeper, allowing Alonso to find some space and nod it down and past Fernandez for his first goal of the postseason.

FCD manager Oscar Pareja brought on youngster David Texeira with four minutes to play looking for some instant offense as Texeira has scored four goals against the Sounders in his short MLS career.

Dallas had a late chance to take the lead in the 90th minute as Fabian Castillo got free down the right flank and forced a superb save from Frei, who parried a quick strike over the crossbar.

The fourth official's board showed just two minutes of added time as the Sounders held firm to take control of the series via the away goals rule, which was instituted by MLS this season.

The sides will clash again at CenturyLink Field in the second leg of the tie on Nov 10.