Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - Marc Burch headed off the post in stoppage
time and Seattle Sounders FC settled for a 0-0 draw against D.C. United at RFK
Stadium on Saturday in Major League Soccer.
Burch played for United from 2007-11, but his contract option was declined and
Seattle signed the 27-year-old defender, who said ahead of the match he wanted
to prove D.C. made a mistake by not renewing his deal.
After 90 scoreless minutes, Burch found the best chance of the game after D.C.
goalie Joe Willis deflected and Osvaldo Alonso shot right into his path on the
left side of the area.
With the left side of the goal open, Burch headed the open chance off the post
3 minutes into stoppage time and United escaped with a draw that extended its
unbeaten streak to three matches.
United (1-2-2) lost its first two matches, but had tied Vancouver Whitecaps FC
and defeated FC Dallas in its last two games.
Seattle (2-1-1) started the season with two straight wins, but lost at home to
the San Jose Earthquakes last week.
The first 90 minutes produced only a few good scoring chances, but it was D.C.
that found the post first when Hamdi Salihi hit the same left post Burch found
off a pass from Nick DeLeon 23 minutes into the match.
Willis finished two saves, but he played well to deny a few dangerous chances,
including in the 51st when tipped a floating ball over the bar with Sounders
players lurking.
Sounders FC debuted Eddie Johnson in the second half, but his presence did not
help produce more chances, until Burch had the match-winner put on a plate for
him deep in stoppage time.
United visits the New England Revolution on April 14 for its next match, while
Seattle hosts the Colorado Rapids the same day in its next match.
The Sports Network