Dejan Joveljić announced himself to Lumen Field with a brace on his Seattle Sounders debut, but it was not enough. Robert Lewandowski headed home an 82nd-minute equalizer to earn Chicago Fire a 2-2 draw on Saturday, according to Fox 13 Seattle, extending the Fire’s MLS unbeaten streak to five matches. Seattle led twice and could not hold either advantage, leaving them 12th in the Western Conference with 26 points.
Key Moments
- 12′, Joveljić opens his Sounders account on debut, finishing a move started by Sebastian Gomez to put Seattle ahead.
- 38′, Maren Haile-Selassie equalizes for Chicago, converting with an assist from Robert Lewandowski to level things at 1-1 before halftime.
- 48′, Joveljić grabs his second of the night just three minutes into the second half, set up by Albert Rusnák to restore Seattle’s lead.
- 57′, Snyder Brunell, already on a yellow card from the 51st minute, is substituted off for Cristian Roldán as Seattle manage the numerical risk.
- 82′, Lewandowski heads home from a Puso Dithejane assist to level at 2-2 and deny Seattle all three points.
Tactical Breakdown
Chicago Fire dominated the statistical picture throughout. Gregg Berhalter’s side controlled 56% of possession, completed 515 of 586 passes (88%), and generated 20 total shots to Seattle’s 11, with an xG of 1.84 against the Sounders’ 0.81. The Fire were particularly dangerous through the middle, with Dje Tah D’Avilla pulling strings in midfield and Haile-Selassie a constant threat up front. On paper, it was Chicago’s game. The scoreline flattered Seattle.
The pivotal shift came after Joveljić’s second goal put Seattle 2-1 up in the 48th minute. Brian Schmetzer’s side briefly looked capable of holding on, but Brunell’s yellow card and subsequent withdrawal at 57 minutes disrupted their midfield shape. The introduction of Puso Dithejane by Berhalter in the 63rd minute proved decisive: the forward supplied the assist for Lewandowski’s equalizer 19 minutes later. That substitution changed the game’s momentum and ultimately cost Seattle the win.
Seattle’s inability to manage the match after going ahead twice was the defining problem. Andrew Thomas made nine saves and was outstanding in goal, but the Sounders’ back line repeatedly gave Chicago space in dangerous areas. The Fire finished with 11 shots on goal to Seattle’s three, and goalkeeper Chris Brady was rarely tested after halftime, making just one save all match. Seattle’s defensive exposure at 2-1 up was a familiar issue for a side that has now drawn their last two.
Player Ratings
Match Context
Standings
Head To Head
Verdict
The draw leaves Seattle 12th in the Western Conference on 26 points, stuck outside the playoff positions and now winless in their last two. Chicago Fire, third in the Eastern Conference with 37 points, extended their unbeaten run to five matches according to the club’s official recap, keeping the pressure on Nashville SC and Inter Miami above them. For the Sounders, a debut that promised much from Joveljić ultimately delivered nothing in the standings.
Chicago Fire
Seattle Sounders