Two of the favorites in the Western Conference relied on their goaltenders as Seattle’s Stefan Frei and LAFC’s John McCarthy scored shutouts in a 0-0 tie on Saturday.
Frei made three saves and McCarthy had four, as each turned away limited scoring opportunities from two of MLS’s most powerful clubs.
LAFC remained undefeated at 2-0-1, while Seattle fell to 2-1-1.
Amid significant schedule congestion with MLS games interspersed with CONCACAF Champions League games, LAFC had a better chance of escaping with a late-minute victory.
Kwadwo Opoku had two chances in the last 10 minutes but couldn’t convert. Opoku sent a pass over the bar just yards from Frei in the 89th minute. In the second minute of stoppage time, Opoku had a left-footed shot denied on a kick saved by Frei.
The Sounders have yet to allow a goal in three home games this season.
Despite controlling possession, Seattle only had a few good scoring opportunities. Albert Rusnák hit the post from outside the penalty area midway through the first half. Xavier Arreaga sent a free header wide of the goal midway through the second half and McCarthy cleverly dove for a loose ball that went past the front of the goal in the 75th minute.
