Sounders Earn 1-0 Win Over Charleston Battery

July 27, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


TUKWILA -- The last 10 minutes of games haven't been kind to the Seattle Sounders this season.

But this time, they held their ground on the field -- and gained some in the standings.

Sebastien Le Toux scored in the 58th minute, and the Sounders hung on Saturday night to knock off United Soccer Leagues First Division-leading Charleston at Starfire Sports Complex, 1-0.

"We haven't stopped believing that we can get results and win games," said defender Kevin Sakuda, who served up the ball that led to Le Toux' eighth league goal of the season and 15th overall. "We've had a rough patch the last couple weeks, but came together on the last road trip and talked about how we had to have some swagger and confidence."

The Sounders, who've surrendered four late-game leads (including last Thursday in a 2-1 loss at Minnesota), won for just the third time in the past two months. They leveled their record at 6-6-8, and picked up three points. That boosted their total to 26 and lifted them out of a fifth -place tie and into sole possession of fourth place. Charleston remains atop the table at 9-5-4 with 31 points.

"It feels good to close one out," Sakuda said. "We talked about what it takes to close out games."

The outcome left the three-game season series knotted at 1-1-1. The two teams will meet in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Aug. 12 at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, where the Sounders pulled out a 1-1 tie in the season opener before dropping a 2-1 decision in July 5.

"Getting a win (tonight) is big," Sakuda said. "Our focus isn't (on the Open Cup) yet."

Chris Eylander picked up his seventh shutout in league play and 11th of the season. He was called upon for just three saves, however, as Charleston got off just seven shots to Seattle's 17.

"They got a couple loose balls in the box, but our guys were quicker to the ball, and we defended OK," coach Brian Schmetzer said. "I think the guys were motivated by Taylor (Graham's) return (from a hamstring injury), and Danny Jackson gutted out 90 minutes. The mentality of the team was strong tonight."

The Sounders dominated the first half to the tune of a 9-2 advantage in shots in front of 3,174 fans, but still went into the locker room at halftime in a 0-0 tie. Le Toux took care of that at the 57:19 mark.

Leighton O'Brien started the play just over the midfield line when he found Sakuda wide open on the right side. Sakuda took it into open space just outside the right side of the penalty area and curved a target ball back out toward the top of the box. It was deflected by a Battery defender and landed right at Le Toux' feet. Le Toux launched it from about 16 yards away and it flew into the upper right corner past goalkeeper Dusty Hudock.

"I tried to whip it in there, and a defender put it out to Seba, and he had a great finish," said Sakuda, who didn't wind up with an assist on the play because of the deflection by the Charleston player.

Le Toux nearly had an insurance goal in the 90th minute when he and Hudock got to the ball at the same time about 10 yards in front of the net. LeToux still got off a shot, but it zipped just past the left post.

The Sounders made three dangerous runs into the box during the first half, but came away empty-handed despite outshooting the Battery, 9-2.

Early in the 14th minute, Josh Gardner, playing on the attacking left side, sent a ball into the box. Youssouf Kante, who scored Seattle's only goal in last Thursday's 2-1 loss at Minnesota, ran onto it right on goalkeeper Dusty Hudock's front porch, but Hudock was able to scoop it up in time.

The Sounders had back-to-back opportunities late in the 34th and early in the 35th minutes. Jason Cascio took a ball and sent one toward the right post, but Hudock dove to his left and deflected it away at the last moment. That gave Seattle a corner kick, and it came quickly out to Josh Gardner at the top of the box. He fired it on the half-volley, but Hudock reached up and saved it.

Hudock made five saves during the first half and wound up with seven for the game.

Seattle heads onto the road for the next three games, beginning Friday at Puerto Rico, before playing at home for the final seven games of the regular season. That lengthy homestand begins Aug. 15 against Puerto Rico, the Islanders' first trip here since last year's playoff semifinals.

QUICK KICKS -- In spite of a slew of injuries, the Sounders had almost all of their regulars in the starting lineup. That included Jackson, who left in the 58th minute at Minnesota with a hip contusion, and Graham, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. Starting midfielder Kenji Treschuk did not play because of a hamstring injury. He strained it on July 18 in Seattle's 3-1 loss at home to Rochester, then was taken out at halftime at Minnesota. Forward Roger Levesque, out since June 20 with a high ankle sprain, is eyeing the game at Puerto Rico on Aug. 1 for a comeback. ... Le Toux came into the game as the league leader in shots taken with 45. He took just two on Saturday. ... Midfielders Leighton O'Brien and Jason Cascio avoided yellow cards again, leaving them on the bubble with four apiece. One more for either of them would mean a one-game suspension.



USL First Division Stories from July 27, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central