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Tottenham, Seattle play an entertaining draw

Spurs play the first match under new manager Pochettino

Osvaldo Alonso scored early in the second half as the Seattle Sounders drew 3-3 with Premier League side Tottenham in a friendly on Saturday, the first match for new Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Tottenham began its preseason North America tour facing former striker Clint Dempsey and his new club. Dempsey left Tottenham to sign with the Sounders last August.

Pochettino left Southampton in May to replace Tim Sherwood, who was fired on May 13 after just five months on the job following Tottenham’s sixth-place league finish.

“I want to congratulate our players because the conditions to play were very difficult — 1pm and warm and a different field,” Ponchettino said. “And we play a very good team.”

Alonso’s goal off a loose ball zipped beat Brad Friedel and hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing in the net. The goal gave Seattle a 2-1 lead, but Roberto Soldado converted a penalty in the 55^th. Tristan Bowen put the Sounders ahead 3-2 in the 79^th minute when he tapped in a cross from Sean Okoli, but United States defender DeAndre Yedlin was called for a handball in the penalty area moments later and Yago Falque converted the kick.

The match, played before 55,349, was easily Seattle’s most even friendly against Premier League opposition. Seattle lost 2-0 and 4-2 to Chelsea in 2009 and 2012 and was routed 7-0 by Manchester United in 2011.

“When we come on these tours we sometimes don’t know what to expect,” Friedel said. “One thing was for certain when we knew we were going to expect a good atmosphere and playing against the best team in the MLS right now.”

Lewis Holtby scored from a header in the 11^th minute off a pass from Harry Kane. Gonzalo Pineda’s chipped penalty kick beat Friedel in the 33^rd minute to pull Seattle level after defender Chad Marshall was taken down in the penalty area on a corner kick.

Tottenham played without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, midfielders Paulinho, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli, and defender Jan Vertonghen.