Bakambu's two goals pulled San Diego back from 2-0 down

San Diego trailed by two in the second half and still drew 2-2 with Seattle, and their chances were better than their usual output.

Cédric Bakambu scored both of San Diego's goals, and the second came from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, which turned a home defeat into a 2-2 draw at Snapdragon Stadium. Seattle had been two goals ahead with 35 minutes left, so the draw is the kind of result that gets remembered longer than the scoreline suggests.

Seattle's lead came quickly. Dejan Joveljić scored at 50 minutes, and Sebastian Gomez made it two at 55, with Hassani Dotson supplying the assist. Three minutes later the video assistant referee confirmed a penalty for San Diego, Anders Dreyer missed it, and Bakambu scored from open play in the same minute, so the gap was suddenly one.

Both sides had less of the ball than they usually do. San Diego had 58% possession, below the 60.1% they average at home, while Seattle had 42%, well short of the 51.3% they manage on the road. Neither team dominated the possession count, and the ball was split in a way that neither side is used to.

The chances tell a sharper story. San Diego took 11 shots, fewer than their usual 13.6, yet their expected goals reached 2.35, against a home average of 2. Expected goals, or xG, is a way of valuing each shot by how often shots from that position tend to go in, so a higher figure means better chances. Seattle's 12 shots also fell short of their 14.1 norm, but their xG of 1.37 was above the 1.12 they usually reach away from home.

Four goals is more than the 3.4 that the average match in this division produces, and the defensive figures are just as unusual. San Diego conceded two, which is below the 2.6 they usually give up at home. Seattle conceded the same two, far above the 1.2 they average on their travels, which is why a comfortable lead ended in a point shared rather than taken.

Bakambu was the clear figure of the night, earning a rating of 8.2, the best in the game, after three shots on target and both of his goals. Gomez and Joveljić were Seattle's scorers, and Dotson's assist for Gomez was the only one either side recorded. Each goalkeeper made a single save, so the outcome was decided by finishing rather than by the men in goal.

Seattle remain seventh in the table with 42 points, while San Diego sit 12th on 34 after the draw. Seattle's last six away matches include four wins, and San Diego's last six at home include four draws, so the Sounders will feel they dropped more than a point here, and San Diego will feel they gained one.

Player of the matchC. Bakambu2 goals8.2

D. Joveljić1 goal7.6

S. Gomez1 goal7.6

H. Dotson1 assist7.4