John McCarthy made five saves as the Los Angeles Galaxy, without two of their top players, earned a road point with a 0-0 draw Sunday afternoon at Seattle.
Stefan Frei made three saves for Sounders (2-5-4, 10 points).
The Galaxy (5-2-4, 19 points) played without leading scorer Dejan Joveljic (hip injury) and playmaking midfielder Riqui Puig (suspended for yellow-card accumulation), while the Sounders were without right back Alex Roldan (suspension).
Los Angeles remained winless at Lumen Field since 2016 (0-5-3).
Seattle outshot the Galaxy 19-12.
Both teams had quality scoring opportunities in the final half-hour.
McCarthy’s poor pass in the 62nd minute was intercepted by Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz just outside the 18-yard box, but McCarthy made a diving save to his right on the ensuing shot.
Two minutes later, Seattle’s Obed Vargas was brought down just outside the penalty area. Joao Paulo’s dipping free kick forced McCarthy to make a diving stop at the left post.
The Galaxy’s most dangerous attempt came in the 76th minute. Miki Yamane’s long cross from the right wing found Diego Fagundez on the opposite side of the field for a 12-yard shot that Frei deflected away with a leaping save at the left post.
In the 78th minute, Seattle substitute Leo Chu put a wide-open shot from 12 yards over the crossbar.
The Sounders outshot Los Angeles 11-3 in a scoreless first half, with a 3-1 edge in attempts on target. None of the scoring chances was especially threatening.
The Galaxy were shut out for just the second time this season, though those have come in consecutive games after a 2-0 defeat last weekend at Austin FC without Joveljic, who has a team-leading six goals. Puig has three goals and four assists.
The Sounders were unable to build momentum after a 3-2 victory Tuesday at Philadelphia in the resumption of a March 9 match halted in the 6th minute because of an unplayable, waterlogged pitch.
–Field Level Media