Nice quick passes on the deck between Alonso and Ljungberg, back and forth in front of the Dallas goal box. Finally hit Jaqua on the right side, but he pops another shot high. Obviously frustrated with himself as he clears out of the box.

Just announced here in the press box: Tonight's attendance of 33,108 sets a Sounders regular season record. AND, Seattle has officially set a new record for highest average attendance for an MLS club: 30,943.

61st minute: Ljungberg places a long cross from the left side, finding Fredy Montero near the right goalpost. Montero has to slide to reach the ball, and has the vision to pop it back towards the center of the goalmouth, for Nate Jaqua running towards the line. Jaqua hits the back of the net along with his shot, and the Sounders have equalized this match.

Just prior, a pair of cautions for Seattle in this heated game:

Osvaldo Alonso gets a yellow card for a late slide tackle about ten yards in front of the Sounders' goalbox. Keller sets up the wall, free kick by Dallas is deflected and cleared. Close call for Seattle as Tyrone Marshall appears to have batted the ball out of the air inside the box... but no call from the ref.

Then, midfielder Brad Evans gets a yellow for wrapping his arms around a Dallas defender and shoving him out of the way while fighting for posession in the southwest corner of the field.

50 minutes in, a high bouncing pass is mishandled by Dallas' defense leaving Fredy Montero free for a volleyed shot...but saved by GK Sala.

Then, around :53, Nate Jaqua working on the right side, loses the ball but it's picked up by James Riley, doing a great job involving himself in the offense tonight. James is tripped up from behind JUST outside the penalty box, giving Freddie Ljungberg a free kick. Ljungberg opts for the short pass to Osvaldo Alonso, who steps in for a low, hard shot on goal...good save by Dallas' Dario Sala, diving to his right to deflect the shot. Sala had a crowd of players in front of him, very little vision, it's amazing he was able to see the ball in time to save it.

Couple of heartbreaking near-misses for the Sounders offense, still scoreless here at Qwest.

Shoddy defensive work has put the Sounders in the hole after the first half. But there were moments of offensive brilliance, particularly from Freddie Ljungberg, who was settling the ball and threading beautiful passes for strikers to run on. Steve Zakuani also showed flashes of brilliance, beating Dallas defenders down the left side of the field with speed and clever ball movement.

If Seattle can keep pounding the Dallas goal, they are bound to capitalize on one of their chances. However the scoreless first half has brought back the spectre of the Sounders' finishing problems at home.

Strong header from Tyrone Marshall off a Ljungberg corner in the 43rd minute, but the shot is right at Dallas GK Dario Sala.

Marshall is the type of player you always want in the box on set pieces--he does whatever it takes to get his head on the ball. This play had him pushing through the crowd, past several standing defenders, to get in front and win the corner. Perhaps its his defending experience, but he never sits on his heels, waiting for the ball to magically reach him (unlike some players? Not naming names).

About the 35th minute--a perfectly timed ball from Ljungberg to lead Zakuani past his defender on the left side. Zak then shoots a pass back across the goalmouth, to Jaqua who is running onto the ball...but unfortunately pops it up and over the goal.

Freddie Ljungberg has been orchestrating the offense with impeccable passing all night--he seems to know exactly how to lead each of his forwards and outside mids; he can tell where they are going to be, before they even know it. It's another sign that Ljungberg has really meshed with this club, learning how to make each of his teammates better.

After the Dallas goal, chaos seemed about to take over the Sounders squad, with messy defending and shoddy passes creating turnover after turnover.

But leave it to Ljungberg and Alonso in the middle to settle things, stepping up to keep possession like good midfielders should. Ljungberg continues to creat excellent scoring chances, threading dangerously-timed passes through the Dallas back line to Jaqua and Montero.

Just now--Dallas defender Heath Pearce earns a yellow card for a kleets-up tackle against Steve Zakuani, who was turning on the speed and about to blow by him on the left wing.

Kasey Keller has a right to be yelling at the Sounders' back line for now. FC Dallas' forward Atiba Harris was given yards of space at the top of the Sounders' box to take a shot that slipped past a diving Keller, perfectly placed just inside the far post. Keller had little chance at the save--but the shot never should have been allowed, with at least two Seattle defenders within marking distance, notably Leo Gonzalez. The defense has got to step up and cut off that easy shot.

To make matters worse, Atiba Harris provoked the fanse here at Qwest by making a "shhh" motion with his finger, gloating that he had silenced the famed Seattle fans. The boos that rained down after that display didn't seem to faze him.

After a flick-on header from Fredy Montero, a wide-open Brad Evans took on the Dallas GK alone, finishing a beautiful high shot...but was unfortunately flagged for offsides. Replay shows he was at least 2 feet behind the last defender.

Soon after, nine minutes into the match, an awe-inspiring show of compassion from the Sounders nation: Every fan at Qwest Field -- over 30 thousand people holding up the number "9" on a white card in honor of the US national team standout, Charlie Davies, who was injured in a car accident last week.

We're under way: Confetti still raining down in silver cascades after the enormous pregame celebration. Fans have really shown up today, the energy is palpable and noise incredible.

The supporters groups are really upping the ante lately. A HUGE banner was unveiled by the Emerald City Supporters after the final notes of the national anthem. Spanning two full sections of the south endzone, the green, blue, black, and silver letters spelled out SOUNDERS FOREVER.

Of course, along with these warm fuzzies is some serious competition--a cardboard sign featured on the jumbotron earlier:

"FC Dallas -- Last to drown in the Sound"

Back to the play!

Missed chance early by Nate Jaqua, who gets a gorgeous through-ball from Freddie Ljungberg but opts to pass the ball back into traffic instead of shooting.

Another great ball from Ljungberg led Leo Gonzalez past a Dallas defender and clear into the box for a shot--but the Costa Rican national defender hits it high and wide over the bar.