Crew, Sounders play to 1-1 draw

SEATTLE — Alejandro Moreno’s header past Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller gave Columbus an early lead, but Sounders FC forward Nate Jaqua answered in the 58th minute as the Crew and Sounders played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Seattle coach Sigi Schmid, who directed the Crew to last year’s MLS Cup title, could only watch as Moreno got a step on Seattle defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and directed Pat Noonan’s line drive cross into the left corner of the Seattle net in the 12th minute.

Jaqua got the equalizer for Seattle early in the second half, volleying home Freddie Ljungberg’s lofted pass over the top of the Columbus defense. Seattle (4-2-5) extended its unbeaten streak to six games, but has ties in the last five and has not won since beating San Jose 2-0 on April 25.

The trip west for Columbus (2-2-7) was successful, especially with defenseman Frankie Hejduk (groin) and midfieler Brian Carroll (shoulder) back in Columbus with injuries.

The Crew are unbeaten in their last seven.

But much of this game was about Schmid’s reunion with the team he led to the league championship, the culmination of a three-year rebuilding project in Columbus. Schmid’s departure from Columbus was acrimonious after the Crew charged Seattle with tampering before Schmid was hired by the Sounders.

The 56-year-old Schmid, who went 34-33-25 in his three seasons with Columbus, took the field about 35 minutes before kickoff and was immediately surrounded by many of his former players. Once the hugs and handshakes were over, Schmid saw his Sounders get outplayed for much of the first half.

The Sounders earned an opportunity to tie in the 31st minute thanks to Ljungberg, but the Swedish star then failed to finish.

Playing a perfect give-and-go with Steve Zakuani, Ljungberg was pushed from behind inside the penalty area by Jed Zayner and awarded a penalty kick. Ljungberg, who missed the previous two games with severe migraines, took the penalty, but his shot went wide of the left post.

Keller kept Seattle within a goal when he stopped Emmanuel Ekpo’s shot from the top of the box with his right hand late in the first half, giving Jaqua a chance to get Seattle even.

Jaqua one-touched a pass from Zakuani to Ljungberg at the top of the box. Ljungberg controlled with his right foot and before the ball touched the ground, chipped a pass over the Columbus defense. Jaqua measured the ball flight perfectly and sent the volley past Columbus keeper Andy Gruenebaum for his third goal of the season.