A spectacular goal by Eric Hassli that earned Vancouver a 2-2 tie with Seattle in the first MLS meeting between the former NASL rivals capped an night of incredible scenes at QwestField Saturday night. A crowd of 36,502 fans saw three goals in the final 10 minutes, capped by Hassli’s amazing strike from the right wing that hit the inside of the far post just under the crossbarand ricocheted into the net.
“Big-time players come up with big plays and what can you say about that strike from Eric?” said Vancouver coach Tom Soehn.“It was fantastic.”
About 500 Vancouver fans made the trip down Interstate-5 to Seattle; they entered the stadium early and waited 30 minutes after the final whistle to depart,in accordance with the rules adapted by the three Northwest clubs for their head-to-head encounters.
“To see them with the flags and the cheering and the singing and everything reallyhelped us,” Hassli said.