Montero and Brenner score as Seattle Sounders draw 1-1 with Cincinnati

The Seattle Sounders kept their playoff hopes alive by picking up an important point in their 1-1 draw against Cincinnati on Tuesday.

Cincinnati was the better of the two teams based on expected goals data, with 1.98 expected goals compared to just 0.36 for Seattle in front of their home fans.

The visiting team took the lead in the 24th minute when Brandon Vasquez was able to take advantage of the Sounders high defensive line, slipping a ball for Brenner to run over and he made no mistake with his header- head-to-head, quietly putting him aside inside the far post.

Seattle nearly equalized with a free kick in the 35th minute, Will Bruin rising well to send his header to the bottom left corner, only to be denied by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano with a terrific save.

When the hosts found the leveler it was worth the wait, with a searing ball from Kelyn Rowe past the defense controlled by Fredy Montero near the corner of the penalty area, before he unleashed a rocket high in the near corner post.

With this result, Seattle remains five points behind the seventh and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, which is currently occupied by Minnesota. Cincinnati is much more comfortable, fifth in the Eastern Conference and four points ahead of the chasers.