MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC earn 2-1 victory

Published on May 28, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SANDY, UTAH - Lamar Neagle scored his first-career MLS goal and Patrick Ianni added another, giving Seattle Sounders FC the 2-1 victory over a man-down Real Salt Lake squad Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Seattle (5-4-5, 20 points) recorded its first ever victory in Rio Tinto Stadium.

Real Salt Lake (5-2-2, 17 points) saw its MLS record 29-game home-unbeaten streak come to an end.

Late in second-half stoppage time, Real Salt Lake nearly equalized when the ball was sent into the Seattle box and Nat Borchers almost had an opportunity to put the ball in the net but Kasey Keller dove on the ball as a foul was called on Salt Lake.

After a fairly quiet and scoreless first half, the course of the game changed when Jamison Olave was issued a red card in the 58th minute after pulling down Mike Fucito as he broke toward the goal. Without Olave, Real Salt Lake switched to a 4-4-1 formation.

Neagle's game-winner came in the 84th minute when he controlled the ball at the top corner of the box, then turned and fired a shot that ricocheted off the corner of the crossbar and into the goal.

Salt Lake made it difficult on Seattle, forcing several chances late in the game and scoring in the 87th minute. Its goal came when Nelson Gonzalez cut into the box and knocked a left-footed shot past Keller and inside the far post, pulling RSL within one.

In the 79th minute, Will Johnson received the ball deep in the box off a corner kick and sent his shot directly into Keller's midsection.

Early in the second half, Real Salt Lake came out firing with chances in the 48th and 51st minutes, when Fabian Espindola and Olave were able to create opportunities on goal, both of which were saved by Keller. Keller came away from the game with five saves.

In the 72nd minute, Sounders FC scored the first goal of the game when Tyson Wahl's corner kick found Nate Jaqua, who headed it down to Fredy Montero's feet, who flicked it forward to Ianni, who punched it through for the 1-nil lead. It was Ianni's third goal of his career.

Osvaldo Alonso created several opportunities for Seattle, firing four shots. His closest attempt came in the 70th minute when he made an opening for himself at the top of the box and bent a ball towards the goal but RSL goalkeeper, Nick Rimando, knocked it away for a corner kick.

Rimando finished the game with three saves in a game where chances were fairly equal. Seattle held a shot advantage of 16-13, and both teams had six shots on goal.

Sounders FC will next remain on the road as they face the Chicago Fire on Saturday, June 4, at Toyota Park. The game will be televised on KONG 6/16 in Seattle and kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PT.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from May 28, 2011


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