MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC Take 2-0 Win over Philadelphia Union in MLS Opener

Published on March 26, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE - Brad Evans and Fredy Montero scored first-half goals as the Seattle Sounders FC opened the MLS season with a 2-0 victory over Philadelphia Union before a crowd of 36,241 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field on Thursday night.

Evans struck in the 12th minute and Montero scored on a header in the 43rd minute, shortly after Philadelphia went a man down following the second yellow card issued to Toni Stahl.

Kasey Keller made four saves to earn the shutout for Seattle (1-0-0). It was the inaugural match for Union (0-1-0).

The first Sounders FC goal began with Montero passing the ball to an overlapping Steve Zakuani who crossed the ball into the crease. Evans knocked it past goalkeeper Chris Seitz from 10 yards.

Evans had also scored in the 12th minute of last season's opener, scoring the second of three Seattle goals in a 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls.

Seattle's second goal came shortly before halftime. Freddie Ljungberg's corner kick was cleared out to Osvaldo Alonso who drove the ball through a crowd from 25 yards out. The ball was going wide but Montero dove at the right post, heading it into the net.

Montero scored twice and added an assist in last season's opening game.

Union forward Sebastien Le Toux nearly scored in the 19th minute after beating Seattle's defense. Keller jumped off the line and dove on the ball. Le Toux played the last three seasons in Seattle before being selected by Philadelphia in the expansion draft last November.

Stahl left the game in the 40th minute after receiving his second yellow card of the match (first yellow card issued in the 23rd minute). Union played the remainder of the match shorthanded.

Sounders FC midfielder/forward Michael Fucito made his MLS debut, entering the match in the 76th minute. Fucito, who spent all of last season on the injured reserve list, was re-signed by the team on Wednesday.

Sounders FC regular starting right back James Riley sat out the match, serving a one-game suspension after being issued a red card in a second leg loss to Houston in the 2009 playoffs.

Thursday's crowd set a new Sounders FC match record for MLS regular season and playoffs. The previous record was 35,807, set in the Western Conference semifinal last October.

Seattle plays its second game at home on April 3 against the New York Red Bulls. The first road test is April 10 against defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 26, 2010


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