Galaxy vs. Sounders
Seattle Sounders midfielder Chad Barrett celebrates with supporters after burying the equalizer in stoppage time during a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy on Sunday night at CenturyLink Field. Twitter / @SoundersFC

SEATTLE – Chad Barrett buried a last minute stoppage-time goal and the Seattle Sounders salvaged a point in their come from behind 1-1 draw with the LA Galxy at CenturyLink Field on Sunday night.

Not one to shy away from drama, the LA Galaxy teased their fans with three points and a stranglehold on the Supporters' Shield race, only to surrender a heart breaking equalizer in the waning moments of stoppage time.

The Galaxy were a little over a minute away from their biggest road victory of the season when forward Gyasi Zardes missed his mark on Barrett after a corner kick from Marco Pappa found the head of Brad Evans who improbably got into the path of Barrett who sent the ball of his knee and into the net.

Despite the draw, the LA Galaxy clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and for the moment, are tied with the New York Red Bulls with 51 points for the Supporters' Shield race. Earning the shield which entrusts home field advantage throughout the playoffs, seems a long shot at best after the loss, as both NYRB, FC Dallas and Vancouver all have games in hand.

Meanwhile, Seattle escapes with one huge point, giving them 47 on the season as they sit comfortably in fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

It was an exciting start to the game as the Seattle vs. Los Angeles rivalry has been one of the best in soccer over the past five years. The last time the Galaxy were at CenturyLink Field, a late Juninho goal, shocked the Sounders' supporters, sending LA into the MLS Cup Final.

Clint Dempsey nearly put the Sounders on the scoreboard in the 6th minute when Obafemi Martins placed a perfect pass on the foot of Dempsey whose shot was saved by a diving Donovan Ricketts.

The back and forth action came to a climax in the 36th minute when LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane capitalized on an egregious mistake by defender Zach Scott. Scott center an erroneous back pass to Gonzalo Pineda that was easily intercepted by Keane who slipped it past Sounders keeper Stefan Frei and into the right corner of the net.

Los Angeles would sit on the lead for most of the second half, allowing the Sounders to dominate possession while waiting for counter attack opportunities. Seattle slipped past the Galaxy defense on multiple occasions, but could not find the equalizer in regulation as Ricketts made multiple big saves.

With the capacity crowd of 56,097 ready to head for the exits saving their energy for the Seahawks game on Monday Night Football the following night, Barrett saved the day for the city with the stoppage time stunner.

Members of both teams will suit up for their country on Saturday as Mexico and the United States battle at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA with a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup on the line. After the match, they will return to their club teams as the Galaxy host Portland on Oct. 18 and Seattle travels to Houston.

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