MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC blank Chivas USA

Published on June 1, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


CARSON, Calif. - Obafemi Martins scored his fourth goal of the season as Sounders FC (5-4-3, 18 points) defeated Chivas USA (3-8-2, 11 points) Saturday night at the Home Depot Center. Seattle has now won four of its past five MLS matches and is off to its second best start through 12 games in franchise history.

In the 22nd minute, Mario Martinez and Lamar Neagle combined to play Martins behind the defense into the box. As Chivas keeper Dan Kennedy came off his line, Martins chipped a shot over him and into the net for his fourth goal of the season.

Martins ties Eddie Johnson for the team-lead with four goals. With 366 minutes this season, his 0.98 goals per 90 minutes leads MLS. Martins' goal came with 317 career minutes, making him the fastest to score four goals in franchise history, 265 minutes faster than Blaise Nkufo (582 minutes in 2011).

A Chivas USA own goal made the score 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Servando Carrasco's cross was headed by Mario de Luna into his own net. It is the first own-goal received for Seattle this season.

Michael Gspurning made four saves en route to his fifth shutout of the season. In the 16th minute, he stopped a Jose Correa shot in the box and in the 89th, the Austrian made a diving save at the far post on a strong shot from Tristan Bowen.

With 18 points, Sounders FC is off to its second best start through 12 games in team history, trailing only the 2012 season (23 points).

The win extends the Rave Green's unbeaten streak against Chivas USA to nine games (5-0-4).

Martins almost added another in the 41st minute when Mauro Rosales found him for a strong header in the box that was saved by Kennedy, then the striker nearly knocked in the follow-up but was well defended by the Chivas defense.

Martins was issued a red card in the 71st minute after a foul on Gabriel Farfan, forcing Seattle to finish the game a man down.

Osvaldo Alonso, who missed last weekend's match against LA Galaxy, suffered a thigh muscle injury in the first half and came off for Andy Rose in the 21st minute.

Sounders FC returns home next weekend for a matchup with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the second Cascadia fixture of the season. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field and will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.

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