Sounders emerge victorious in Puerto Rico

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


(Bayamon, Puerto Rico) - The Seattle Sounders ended the Puerto Rico Islanders five game win streak with a 2-1 victory at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, Friday night.

Sebastien Le Toux scored his ninth goal of the year and Josh Gardner provided the winner in the 60th minute as Seattle jumped into sole possession of fourth place in the USL-1 standings.

The win was the Sounders second straight in league play; next up is a trip to Portland next Thursday night to take on the arch-rival Timbers on Fox Soccer Channel. Kick-off at PGE Park is set for 8:00 pm (PT).

The Sounders featured a young lineup with recent loan acquisition, Ciaran O'Brien, starting in place of injured central midfielder, Leighton O'Brien. Also getting his first start was midfielder Nik Besagno starting in place of injured midfielder, Kenji Treschuk.

The Islanders controlled the run of play early and looked to grab the early advantage in the sixth minute when Josh Hansen broke loose and went one on one with keeper Chris Eylander. Eylander dove left and Hansen fired wide.

The Sounders grabbed the lead in the eighth minute when Sebastien Le Toux picked up a loose ball, after a Ciaran O'Brien throw in, and fired into the top right corner for the early lead.

The Sounders held the lead for ten minutes before the rain, which had been coming down for the majority of the match, began to come down harder and the match was delayed for a half hour.

On the restart, the Sounders struggled to regain a rhythm and the Islanders took advantage creating a corner in the 40th minute. On the delivery, Taiwo Atieno picked up a loose ball and got the effort past Chris Eylander. The sides went into the half level at 1-1.

At the start of the second half the Islanders searched for the lead but Eylander did well to keep the game on level terms.

The Sounders grabbed the lead and didn't look back in the 60th minute off the foot of Josh Gardner, scoring his fourth goal of the year. The goal started when Sebastien Le Toux received the ball on the right side of the 18 yard box and fired a shot in that hit the near post. Gardner scooped up the rebound and chipped it up over keeper Bill Gaudette to give Seattle the 2-1 lead.

After the goal, the Sounders brought on defensive substitutes and the Islanders never really challenged Eylander again.

At the final whistle, Seattle found themselves ahead 2-1 and won their second straight in USL-1 play.

The Sounders next home match is August 15 against the Puerto Rico Islanders.



USL First Division Stories from August 1, 2008


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