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Seattle Sounders
Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 19, 2014 at 9.05pm UK
 
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3-3

Pineda (33' pen.), Alonso (49'), Bowen (79')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Holtby (11'), Soldado (55' pen.), Falque (81' pen.)

Live Commentary: Seattle Sounders 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur - as it happened

Relive with Sports Mole all the action from the pre-season friendly clash between the Seattle Sounders and Tottenham Hotspur from CenturyLink Field.
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Mauricio Pochettino got his reign at Tottenham Hotspur underway as his side played the Seattle Sounders in the first pre-season game of their tour of the USA.

Spurs took the lead early on through Lewis Holtby, but were pegged back before half time when Gonzalo Pineda scored from the penalty spot.

Osvaldo Alonso fired the Sounders into the lead after the break before Roberto Soldado equalised from the spot. Seattle thought they had won the game when substitute Tristan Bowen scored late on, but Tottenham won another penalty which was scored by Iago Falque to earn the draw.

Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.


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Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the friendly match between the Seattle Sounders and Tottenham Hotspur.

Mauricio Pochettino gets his reign as Spurs manager underway this evening following his decision to leave Southampton at the end of last season and replace Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane. He has a good first test as manager as his new side come up against one of the best teams in the MLS in the form of the Seattle Sounders.

There have been no new signings for Tottenham this summer as of yet. Swansea City left-back Ben Davies is reportedly in talks over a move, while Gylfi Sigurdsson has been linked with a transfer away from the club, but starts at CenturyLink Field this evening.

The team news has been announced and we'll start with the Spurs lineup and substitutes.

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Friedel, Naughton, Dawson, Fryers, Rose, Carroll, Holtby, Capoue, Townsend, Kane, Lennon.

TOTTENHAM SUBSTITUTES: McGee, Fredericks, Kaboul, Veljkovic, Walker, Ceballos, Eriksen, Falque, Lamela, Mason, Soldado.

SEATTLE STARTING XI: Frei, Yedlin, Marshall, Scott, Anibaba, Neagle, Alonso, Pineda, Pappa, Martins, Dempsey.

SEATTLE SUBSTITUTES: Ford, Bowen, Kovar, Okoli, Remick, Estrada, Traore, Barrett, Pereira, Weaver, Long, Cooper, Azira.

Pochettino puts out a strong team in his first game in charge of Spurs, but is forced into one very late change right before kickoff as Tom Carroll replaces Gylfi Sigurdsson. Elsewhere, Brad Friedel starts in goal in the absence of Hugo Lloris, who is still recovering from his exploits in the World Cup with France. Kyle Naughton starts at right-back as Kyle Walker is still gradually easing his way back from the injury that ruled him out of Brazil and is on the bench. Andros Townsend will be looking to prove his fitness after the injury big hit him last season and he will play on the left of a three-pronged attack with Aaron Lennon on the right and Harry Kane through the middle.

A lot of options on the bench for Pochettino when he decides to make changes in this friendly game. Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado and Younes Kaboul are all available to join the action when the Argentine sees fit. Among the notable absentees for Spurs is Emmanuel Adebayor, who contracted malaria last week and will miss the entirety of the trip to the US.

Tottenham will see a very familiar face in the Sounders lineup this evening in the form of Clint Dempsey. The 31-year-old played for Spurs in the 2012-13 season before he left to join the MLS, where he has been a hit for Seattle and also played a major role in helping the USA reach the second round of the World Cup before they were eliminated by Belgium. Leading the line alongside Dempsey is former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins, who is in his second season with the club.

DeAndre Yedlin caught the eye at the World Cup for the USA and he plays at right-back for the Sounders this evening. He will be looking to bolster his reputation against one of the best sides in the Premier League, after being linked with several European clubs following his exploits in Brazil.

Spurs are being put through their paces at CenturyLink Field as we approach kickoff.



The venue for today's game CenturyLink Field has the reputation as one of the loudest stadiums in the USA. The Sounders share the ground with the Seattle Seahawks, who are the current NFL Champions.

Another shot from the pitchside as Etienne Capoue prepares for action. He will start in a three-man midfield this evening alongside Tom Carroll and Lewis Holtby.



Dempsey readies himself to take on his former team at the impressive CenturyLink Field.



A quick note on the Sounders and they are currently top of the MLS Western Confernce after taking 38 points from their 18 games so far this season. They've won four out of their last five matches and haven't been beaten at home since March.

The players are out on the pitch so we should be underway shortly.

We're underway at CenturyLink Field.

CHANCE! An opportunity for the Sounders immediately as Dempsey slides the ball into the path of Pappa inside the box, but the midfielder blasts his effort over the bar with Dawson closing in on him.

Spurs are struggling to retain possession in the early stages and Townsend typifies this as he is brushed off the ball very easily by Alonso just beyond the centre circle allowing the Sounders to come away with the ball.

The ball is not sticking at all for Tottenham as they are trying to feel their way into the match. A long ball forward from Friedel is contested by Kane and Scott, but the Sounders man does well to win the ball then find Neagle down the right to start an attack.

Townsend makes a burst through the middle and tries to raid at Scott and Marshall. The England international gets a strike away on his left foot, but Marshall blocks the ball away and Yedlin can clear the danger for the home side.

Dempsey does well to find space to pick out Martins on the edge of the box and the former Newcastle man tries to find the run of his teammate, but Rose tracks the run of Dempsey and the ball is collected by Friedel. Decent start to the game from Seattle.

GOAL! Seattle 0-1 Spurs (Holtby)

Spurs take the lead out of nothing as Kane collects the ball in the Seattle half and lifts a ball over the top of the Sounders defence for the run of Holtby. The midfielder does well to get in between two defenders and guide a header over Frei into the net. Nice football from Tottenham.

CHANCE! Seattle should be level as Alonso lifts a pinpoint cross to the back post for the run of Dempsey, who gets in front of Naughton with a clever run. However, the striker can only put his header wide of the post from four yards.

CHANCE! Good response from the Sounders to going behind and Martins collects a pass from Pineda to go through on goal. Dawson gets back to try and put him off, but he does well to dig out space for either a shot or a square pass to Dempsey. He ends up doing neither and the chance is spurned as chips a shot straight into the hands of Friedel.

CHANCE! Dawson gives the ball away and presents a perfect chance for the Sounders as Dempsey finds Neagle on the right. The forward tries to fire the ball low past Friedel but the keeper does well to make the stop with his legs and beat the ball away.

CHANCES! More opportunities for the Sounders as first Dempsey does well to release Martins, but the striker blasts his effort well over the bar from outside the box. Then confusion in the Spurs defence allows space for Pappa, but he can only hit his tame shot straight into the legs of Friedel.

It's all Seattle at the moment and Spurs can't seem to get a foot on the ball to calm the game down. It will be far too open for Pochettino's liking so far.

CHANCE! Tottenham work the ball down the right and that creates space on the left for Rose as Carroll spreads the ball to him. The defender fires a low shot at goal, and although he hits the target his shot is straight at Frie, who makes the comfortable save.

The game's pace has dropped slightly and that will suit Spurs just fine as they struggled with the quick tempo in the first 20 minutes. Holtby, Carroll and Capoue are starting to get their foot on the ball and are dictating the terms of this game now.

CHANCE! The speed of the Sounders nearly catches Spurs out as Martins breaks through the middle and gets into the box before squaring the ball to Neagle. The forward tries a first-time shot but Fryers is there to make the block and allows Pochettino's men to clear the danger.

Seattle win a free kick right on the edge of the box as Lennon brings down Pappa after Martins had another chance from a Dawson error, but he failed to get a shot away.

PENALTY TO SEATTLE!

GOAL! Seattle 1-1 Tottenham (Pineda pen)

Seattle get back on level terms in the game as Dawson is adjudged to have fouled Scott from a corner. It was a harsh decision but the referee pointed to the spot. Pineda cheekily lifts the ball into the corner with a panenka chip from the spot as Friedel dives to his right early.

The Sounders have deserved that goal for their efforts in the first half while Tottenham have struggled at the back, especially Dawson who has made several errors.

OFF THE LINE! Seattle come within inches of taking the lead as Dempsey and Martins play a lovely one-two and the former Spurs man lifts the ball over Friedel, but Rose is there to clear the ball away at the last second to stop a certain goal.

CHANCE! Anibaba meets the ball from the resulting corner and his header is close to sneaking in at the near post before Friedel can tip his effort over the bar.

Tottenham have the look of a side waiting for half time. They look a little bit tired, having been surprised by the early pace of the game. Kane has struggled to hold the ball up for the past 10 minutes or so and it has been all one-way traffic in the direction of Friedel's goal in that timespan.

There will be one minute of added time.

HALF-TIME: Seattle 1-1 Spurs

Half time at CenturyLink Field and it's all square between the Seattle Sounders and Tottenham. The Sounders have been the better side in the opening 45 minutes as they created a plethora of chances as Spurs struggled at the back to contain Dempsey and Martins. Seattle could be well ahead by this stage but didn't take all the opportunities on offer and that may cost them in this game, as Tottenham have shown in the few chances they did have the ability to have success in the final third.

Pochettino will be delighted with the way his side took the lead as Kane found Holtby in flowing move and the midfielder provided a nice finish. At the other end the Argentine will be worried by his team's display as they have been cut open time and again by the Sounders and could have three or four goals down had the home side taken the chances on offer. Plenty to work on at the break for Pochettino in his first game in charge.

The players are making their way out onto the pitch and we should be back underway shortly.

We're back underway at CenturyLink Field.

Tottenham have made six changes at the break as Fredericks, Kaboul, Veljkovic, Lamela, Ceballos and Soldado have all entered the action.

CHANCE! A loose ball falls into the path of Veljkovic on the edge of the area and he drives at goal and his powerful low effort goes inches past the post as Frei got his fingertips to the ball.

GOAL! Seattle 2-1 Spurs (Alonso)

Seattle take the lead and it's through an incredible strike from Alonso as he picks the ball up 25 yards from goal and unleashes a thunderbolt which crashes into the top corner, past the outstretched hand of Friedel. Great goal from the midfielder and a deserved lead for the home side.

Spurs try to hit back immediately as Lamela raids down the left flank, but his cross is easily claimed by Frei as the midfielder had only Soldado to hit in the middle.

PENALTY TO SPURS!

GOAL! Seattle 2-2 Spurs (Soldado pen)

Spurs are level as a ball over the top of the Seattle defence falls for Soldado and before he can strike the ball he's brought down by a clumsy challenge by Marshall. The Spaniard takes the kick himself and places the ball low into the bottom corner, sending Frei the wrong way.

Tottenham are playing with more confidence at the moment as Lamela plays the ball down the flank for Fredericks. The defender digs out a cross looking for Soldado at the near post, but he can only lift the ball into the hands of Frei. Wasteful delivery from Fredericks.

A deflection almost falls perfectly for Lamela inside the Seattle box. The midfielder tries to hit a first-time shot off balance, but his effort is tame and is collected with ease by Frei. The ball just didn't fall right for Lamela to get a decent shot away.

Pochettino's men are starting to find a rhythm going forward and Lamela does well to find the run of the willing Fredericks down the right. The defender does well to beat his man and fire the ball across the face of goal, but no player in white is there to capitalise on the cross.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Martins and Marshall make way for the Sounders and are replaced by former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore and Kenny Cooper. Meanwhile, Ryan Mason comes onto replace Capoue for Spurs.

Tottenham show patience in their build-up play again and Lamela then takes the ball on surging run through the left channel. The midfielder tries to get an effort away from a tight angle, but his shot is tame and straight at Frei.

CHANCE! Yedlin shows his quality as he takes on Fryers down the right and beats the defender for pace and whips a dangerous cross into the box for Cooper to attack. The striker meets the ball but can only guide his header over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: Iago Falque comes on for Tottenham and replaces Holtby.

Tottenham win a free kick around 30 yards from goal as Lamela is brought down. Soldado takes the kick and blasts his effort straight off the wall, his teammates don't look overly impressed with him after that effort.

Yedlin shows another burst of pace down the right and cuts the ball back to Neagle on the edge of the box. The forward decides to shoot first time, but his effort goes well over the bar without troubling Friedel.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Dempsey's time against is former club is up as he is replaced by Okoli and Pappa also makes way for Kovar.

CHANCE! Fredericks tries to prove that anything Yedlin can do, he can match, as he bursts down the right and lifts a cross into the area for Soldado. The forward flicks the ball onto the back post where Lamela tries to pounce, but he can only direct his header over the bar.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Ford and Bowen come on for the Sounders late in the game.

GOAL! Seattle 3-2 Spurs (Bowen)

Seattle take the lead as Tottenham are caught out at the back again as they try to play offside. Okoli gets in behind Fredericks and as Kaboul tries to come across the forwards plays a pinpoint square pass across the face of goal for Bowen to tap the ball in from two yards out.

PENALTY TO SPURS!

GOAL! Seattle 3-3 Spurs (Falque pen)

Tottenham manage to get back on level terms immediately after going behind again and again it's from the penalty spot as Yedlin is penalised for handball. Falque takes the responsibility from the spot and drills his effort low into the corner past the dive of Ford.

Soldado and Ceballos link up well in the final third of the pitch to set the midfielder through on goal as he collects a pass over the top of the Seattle defence. Ceballos can't quite bring the ball under control well enough to get a decent shot away and Ford is able to make a comfortable stop.

YELLOW CARDS: Alonso and Soldado get into a shoving match in the dying minutes after the Sounders midfielder didn't like the challenge of the Spaniard. After a bit of melee the referee calms the situation down and books both players.

There will be one minute of added time.

CHANCE! The Sounders have a chance to win the game as Traore meets Pineda's corner with an acrobatic volley, but his effort hits the ground and bounces over the bar. That was the chance for the former Liverpool man but he just couldn't take it.

FULL-TIME: Seattle 3-3 Spurs

Pochettino's first game in charge of Spurs ends in an entertaining 3-3 draw. Going forward there was a lot to be positive about Spurs in this game especially in the second half when they got a better grip on the game. Defensively in the first half it was a horror show as Seattle could have been three or four ahead, it improved slightly in the second half but they still conceded twice so there is plenty to work on for Pochettino.

Seattle provided a good test of Tottenham in this game and with players to return from their World Cup exploits and new signings to be made, it will be interesting to see how the Argentine develops his squad ahead of the new Premier League season, which is underway four weeks away.

Thanks for joining our commmentary this evening. Be sure to stay with Sports Mole for all our coverage of the pre-season action, but from me, it's goodbye.

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Obafemi Martins #9 of Seattle Sounders FC and A.J. DeLaGarza #20 of Los Angeles Galaxy fight for the ball in the second half at The Home Depot Center on May 26, 2013
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