MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle wins 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire

Published on April 28, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, ILL. - Eddie Johnson scored his first goal for Sounders FC (4-1-1, 13 points) in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire (2-2-2, 8 points) Saturday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Sounders FC has now won two straight and extends its league-best road unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1).

In the 39th minute, Seattle went up 1-0 on an own goal. Johnson fed David Estrada on the left side of the box 15 yards out, and Estrada crossed a ball that deflected off Fire defender Arne Friedrich and rolled inside the near post.

In the 67th minute, Johnson made it 2-0 off the rebound of a Fredy Montero free kick. After Montero's attempt was tap-saved by Chicago keeper Sean Johnson, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado flicked the ball to the feet of Johnson and the first-year Sounder finished into the back of the net.

It was the first goal for Johnson since rejoining MLS at the beginning of the 2012 season. In his career, he has seven goals and two assists in 13 career games against the Fire.

Hurtado's assist marks the center back's first of 2012.

Chicago got on the board in the 89th minute when Marco Pappa kept a narrow corner kick close to the end line and bent it inside the far post. The goal ended what was an MLS-best 337-minute shutout streak.

The Fire pressed hard in stoppage time, but were unable to convert. They came close in the 93rd minute when Jalil Anibaba had an open shot at the goal, but Michael Gspurning made the save.

Mauro Rosales and Adam Johansson each made their first start since Seattle's first game on March 17. Rosales was subbed for Marc Burch in the 51st minute.

Chicago had multiple chances to get on the board early. In the 13th minute, Patrick Nyarko led Dominic Oduro into the box on the right side, but Oduro's shot was saved by Gspurning. A minute later, Daniel Paladini had a wide open shot from the left side of the box, but a diving Osvaldo Alonso blocked the ball with his face.

In the 63rd minute, an apparent equalizing goal by Marco Pappa was called off due to offsides.

With 13 points through six games, Seattle continues its best start in franchise history. Their previous high through six games was 12 points in 2009.

Sounders FC returns to action this week with two games. They host the LA Galaxy at 7 p.m. PT on Wednesday night and the Philadelphia Union next Saturday at 1 p.m. PT. Both matches will be held on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 28, 2012


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