> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Joveljić Picks Up Brace in Debut, Sounders Manage Thrilling Draw With Solid Chicago - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-sounders-chicago-fire-dejan-joveljic-debut-exciting-draw/ - Published: 2026-08-30T02:00:44.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:13:38.000Z - Author: Qasim Ali - Tags: News, Analysis, Game Day, Sounders, Dejan Joveljić, Brian Schmetzer, Albert Rusnak, Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris, Hassani Dotson, Andrew Thomas, Nouhou, Snyder Brunell, Alex Roldan, Stuart Hawkins \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2048"\] ![ Seattle Sounders forward Dejan Joveljić celebrates scoring a goal in his debut against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Mike Fiechtner / Sounders FC Communications) ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/55494991107_5c5aaebab6_k-format-original.jpg) Seattle Sounders forward Dejan Joveljić celebrates scoring a goal in his debut against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026\. (Mike Fiechtner / Sounders FC Communications) \[/caption\] SEATTLE, Wash. — It was the kind of debut every Seattle Sounders fan dreamed of for [their new striker, Dejan Joveljić](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/home/seattle-sounders-introduce-dejan-joveljic). Facing a Chicago Fire squad that signed European legend Robert Lewandowski recently, Joveljić scored a brace in a 90-minute game to combat two Chicago goals and secure a 2-2 draw. For a Sounders team that is just two games removed from an eight-game MLS losing streak, the 7-9-5 squad splitting points with an 11-4-6 and in-form Chicago squad was a solid result. For one, Joveljić’s big game marked Seattle’s first time scoring two goals in a game since May 13. Still, a missed late chance from Albert Rusnák that would've put Seattle on top 3-1 was one of a few moments that left Seattle skipper Brian Schmetzer wanting more out of the performance. "This draw feels like a loss. Because of the way we played, the potential that was there… we need to obviously close that game out," Schmetzer said. "It hurts, but that locker room feels like they have something." The locker room certainly has a striker it can count on. Joveljić scored in close in the 12th minute before giving Seattle the lead back on a showstopping shot to the top-left corner in the 48th. It was, almost without a doubt, the best strike by a Sounder all season. > 48' SOUNDERS GOOOOOAAAAAAAAL > > DEKI PUTS US BACK IN THE LEAD. > > SEA 2 | CHI 1 [#SEAvCHI](https://x.com/hashtag/SEAvCHI?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) [pic.twitter.com/nfgVyrLVFS](https://t.co/nfgVyrLVFS?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) [August 29, 2026](https://x.com/SoundersFC/status/2093818640101765321?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) Lewandowski, however, had other plans as he banged in a header at the far post in the 82nd to bring the game to its final 2-2 resting place. Joveljić, in rhythm with his new coach, said he wasn't "fully happy" despite his great debut, as he wanted to pick up all three points. But in a season chock-full of injuries, Seattle finally had a feel-good moment in that regard. Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris and Hassani Dotson all subbed on in the second half for their first action in weeks. The result keeps the Sounders two points out of ninth-place Portland with 13 matches to go. ### Sounders Offense Looks Rejuvenated Early, Joveljić Strikes First The Sounders have repeatedly been asked about the energy at training after the Joveljić trade and the[ unlikely draw at FC Cincinnati last week](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/sounders-fc-cincinnati-recap-aug-22-2026/). Most Sounders, like leading scorer Paul Rothrock, attested to there being a heightened level of excitement and increased morale in Renton. That energy showed early on Saturday, as the Sounders zipped passes around the attacking third to put Chicago in precarious spots early. Joveljić pressed hard early in his debut on the defensive end as Seattle stayed on the front foot for most of the first half. Wing back Kalani Kossa-Rienzi nearly scored off a volley in the third minute but barely missed high before Alex Roldan, manning the midfield again, forced Chicago keeper Chris Brady into a save three minutes later. A furious counter press from Nouhou and Seattle continued to win the ball back, as Seattle tried another build-up in the 12th minute. Kossa-Rienzi continued his strong start by carrying the ball into the box before leaving it wide for starting winger Sebastian Gomez on the right side. > 12' DEKI WITH HIS FIRST SOUNDERS GOAL 🔥🔥🔥 > > SEA 1 | CHI 0[#SEAvCHI](https://x.com/hashtag/SEAvCHI?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) [pic.twitter.com/pMfvWDEfxT](https://t.co/pMfvWDEfxT?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) [August 29, 2026](https://x.com/SoundersFC/status/2093804615506792573?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) Gomez, thrust into the lineup after a long-term hamstring injury sustained by Jesús Ferreira, tapped a short rolling service to Joveljić. Seattle, with just one goal from its starting strikers this season (none in MLS play), watched as Joveljić opened the scoring with a swift redirect of the ball in front of the goal. "What I told you guys," Schmetzer told media postgame, "was he's going to make everybody around us better, and that first 25 minutes, I wish I could've recreated that, kept that going." To his point, the Sounders were sloppier in the midfield as the first half wore on. In a transition chance going the other way, Chicago winger Philip Zinckernagel hit the crossbar before Maren Haile-Selassie capitalized on a strong hold-up moment from Lewandowski in the 38th. Haile-Selassie buried it past Andrew Thomas to make things even going into the second half. With a backline missing center back Yeimar and Jackson Ragen, the latter of whom was revealed to be nursing a hairline fracture this week, young Stuart Hawkins and veteran Kim kee-Hee put in a solid 90 each, but the cracks in the midfield were starting to put the pair behind the 8-ball. ### Joveljić Scores a Banger, Lewandowski Answers The Sounders have managed, in this dreary spell since the World Cup break, to hang around and concede late against teams both above and below their weight class. Joveljić, now the first starting Sounders striker to score an MLS goal this season, was intent on circumventing that formula in the early second half. Snyder Brunell worked the ball out wide on the right side before feeding it to Rusnák above the 18\. Rusnák, who gave up his DP spot to allow for the trade with Sporting Kansas City’s striker, put a key pass in to Joveljić in the 48th. That's when "Deki," as his teammates call him, turned on a dime and showed why the Sounders spent $6 million on him. He sent a laser to the top-left corner in a split-second, as keeper Chris Brady only managed a marginal touch on the shot to have it hit the crossbar and go in. The stadium erupted at the display of raw talent from its newest star. "A few guys told me before the game, 'Just turn and shoot,' because they struggled to shoot around the box," Joveljić said. "I knew that (Rusnák) was going to find me, I saw that no one is behind me, took a good touch and then finished. So it was nice." From there, star midfielder Cristian Roldan came on for his first action since the World Cup break. 10 minutes later, striker Jordan Morris and midfielder Hassani Dotson also made their comebacks from long injuries, with each sub drawing a loud ovation. > Back for the first time since the WC break: Cristian Roldan. [#Sounders](https://x.com/hashtag/Sounders?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) have both Roldans in the defending midfield now. Rousing ovation. > > 2-1 lead over the [#Fire](https://x.com/hashtag/Fire?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) to nurse in the 58th.[@EmeraldSpectrum](https://x.com/EmeraldSpectrum?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) | [#MLS](https://x.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) [pic.twitter.com/7d1NUJ1mU2](https://t.co/7d1NUJ1mU2?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)— Qasim Ali (@qasimasports) [August 29, 2026](https://x.com/qasimasports/status/2093820532689191255?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) Seattle parlayed the energy into some rousing defensive stops up 2-1, as kee-Hee managed a sliding block with Thomas left on an island in the 68th. In the 78th, Morris found himself on a breakaway with Rusnák for company on his left. He left it for Rusnák, but the veteran attacking midfielder took a few too many touches and got blocked. Off the counter, a lobbing service found Lewandowski at the back post. He leaped, just inches from the post, and headed it in to equalize. "We talk about moments, and this last goal was the story of our season where we could have a chance, we have a clear opportunity and a great block that leads to a counterattack, and they end up scoring… that's more the storyline," Cristian Roldan. Keeper Andrew Thomas made a diving save at the death to preserve a 2-2 draw. ### A Morale Boost and An Early Affirmation Sounders GM Craig Waibel's popularity was dwindling among fans this time last week. Seattle was on its worst losing streak ever, and his front office was heading toward a fifth consecutive move at the summer transfer window. Just over 28,000 fans were reported to attend last Wednesday’s loss to Austin FC, one of the lowest numbers of the season. But last Saturday, the reports of Joveljić's move came out as the Sounders broke their losing streak, putting Seattle on a course that took another monumental step forward on Saturday. Joveljić's move from Kansas City was viewed as a high-upside, low-risk move for his familiarity and production in MLS. It is sufficient to say the new addition bagging a very meaningful brace on his first matchday in front of over 38,000 fans could save Waibel's job. It's not an exaggeration to say there's virtually no way Seattle manages a result without its new signing — the Sounders managed just three shots on target, two by Joveljić on his goals, to 11 from Chicago. The Fire won the expected-goal battle 1.8-1.1. Outside of Joveljić, seeing Cristian Roldan come back and bruise the Fire in the midfield for 30 minutes was another affirming moment. The USMNT selection, who just welcomed a new baby into his family while out with injury, admitted he's feeling rusty postgame. But he showed glimpses of precisely what Seattle's missing: Nonstop motor and smooth, heady passing in the middle of the pitch. Still, the Sounders struggled to keep the dynamic Fire front three from breaking its backline with serious runs, and Seattle's poor clearance set up Chicago's first goal. Overall, the Sounders were solid in preventing transition chances, and Nouhou and Kossa-Rienzi were sensational at point in getting the ball north and south. But there's a notable drop-off in this team's ability to clear the ball without Ragen and Yeimar, and Seattle will need that top pairing if it hopes to realize its playoff ceiling — whatever that may be. "We can be realistic and say that this game slipped away," Cristian Roldan said. "We gave up a little too many chances, especially towards the end; the game was a little too open for a 2-1 game." Still, the veteran is confident that his team can continue to build back toward its winning ways. "It's going to be the entire team,” Roldan said of what it will take to recapture Seattle’s fast start to 2026\. “I'm just a piece of the puzzle that is hopefully going to be part of a team that ends up in the playoffs."