MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Fernandez, Johnson Scores Lift Sounders FC to 2-1 Win

Published on July 8, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE - Alvaro Fernandez and Eddie Johnson scored second-half goals as the Seattle Sounders FC (8-5-6, 30 points) defeated the Colorado Rapids (7-10-1, 22 points), 2-1, on Saturday night. Steve Zakuani made his first MLS appearance in over 14 months in front of 39,060 on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Johnson leads the club with eight goals (tied-eighth in MLS) and Rosales' six assists rank fourth in MLS. Sounders FC extended its unbeaten in four consecutive games (2-0-2), and snapped its nine-game league winless stretch.

Seattle opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when Fernandez lept over the defense and pounded a Rosales corner past Rapids keeper Matt Pickens. The goal marked the first of the season for Fernandez.

Sounders FC doubled its lead in the 64th minute on another Rosales assist. Patrick Ianni picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and rolled it to Rosales who sent a cross into the box. Johnson rose above the defense and beat Pickens with a header.

Johnson has scored five goals in his last six games, including five of Seattle's last seven goals.

With the two assists, Rosales now has a team-high six on the season, including four in the last five games. It was the first multi-assist game for Rosales since a 3-0 home win over D.C. on September 17, 2011.

Colorado cut the lead to 2-1 in the 79th minute when a long Luis Zapata cross found Omar Cummings, who put a hard volley past Bryan Meredith for his fourth goal of the season.

Zakuani made his first appearance since suffering a broken leg against Colorado on April 22, 2011. Zakuani entered for Rosales in the 86th minute.

Meredith picked up his third MLS win and finished with two saves. In the 74th minute, he made a diving stop on a Martin Rivero volley in the box to prevent the equalizer.

Fernandez was dangerous throughout the match. In the third minute, he headed a Johnson cross over the crossbar, and in the fifth minute his header from a Mauro Rosales free kick forced Pickens to make a diving save. In the ninth minute, Johnson sent a long ball to the streaking Uruguayan, but his shot was deflected away for a corner kick. Fernandez also had two breakaway opportunities in the second half.

Seattle continues its quest for a record fourth straight Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for p.m. PT at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. Sounders FC will then play its final match against an Eastern Conference opponent when they visit the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, July 15.

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