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Sounders squander lead

Seattle Sounders’ Freddie Ljungberg powers past D.C. United’s Andrew Jacobson, left, and Luciano Emilio. for the (Joshua Trujillo for the Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Tim Booth Associated Press
Seattle Sounders’ Freddie Ljungberg powers past D.C. United’s Andrew Jacobson, left, and Luciano Emilio. for the (Joshua Trujillo for the Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SEATTLE – Fredy Montero’s left-footed strike gave Seattle a 3-1 lead early in the second half, but D.C. United rallied with a pair of late goals, including an own goal off the head of Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall to salvage a 3-3 tie with the Sounders on Wednesday night.

Seattle controlled the game on offense, peppering D.C. United keeper Josh Wicks with shots all night. Yet it was United smiling as they trotted off the field with an unlikely tie.

Down two goals, halftime sub Christian Gomez got United closer with his third goal of the season in 63rd minute. Yet Seattle remained in control with a number of good scoring chances in the final 20 minutes of the match.

Then came the shock. On a cross from Chris Pontius in the 87th minute, Marshall’s attempted header of the pass went past Seattle keeper Kasey Keller and into the Seattle net to draw United even.

It was a stunning conclusion to a match that Seattle controlled. Osvaldo Alonso scored on a 30-yard drive in the first half and Nate Jaqua bounced a shot off United defenseman Marc Burch late in the first half for an own goal to give Seattle a 2-1 lead at the break. Montero’s team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 57th minute had Seattle’s eighth consecutive sellout crowd rocking, but they were left silent by the events of the final minutes.