Clint Dempsey scored two goals as Seattle Sounders FC (5-2-1, 16 points) beat the Colorado Rapids (3-2-2, 11 points), 4-1, in front of 38,582 on Saturday afternoon on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.
Sounders FC has won three-straight games and extended its unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1). Dempsey leads MLS with eight goals and has recorded a goal or assist in a league-best six-straight games.
Seattle scored three goals in a six-minute stretch, beginning with Lamar Neagle's goal in first-half stoppage time. Dempsey received a pass from Obafemi Martins and moved around Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin to set up Neagle's third goal of the season.
In the 47th minute, Dempsey played a one-two with Marco Pappa, then knocked in Pappa's shot on a follow-up to put Sounders FC ahead, 2-0.
Dempsey scored his second goal in the 52nd minute from a corner kick taken by Gonzalo Pineda. Chad Marshall headed the ball to Dempsey in the box, who then finished with a header over Irwin to extend Seattle's lead to 3-nil.
In the 75th minute, Neagle found Martins slicing through the back line on a throw-in. Martins struck the ball to the far post for his fourth goal of the season and Neagle's third assist.
Colorado scored its lone goal in the 62nd minute when Nick LaBrocca's ball slipped through the defense and Dillon Serna chipped it over Stefan Frei.
Sounders FC hosts Philadelphia Union next Saturday, May 3rd. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field.
Scoring Summary:
SEA - Lamar Neagle 45+1'
SEA - Clint Dempsey 47'
SEA - Clint Dempsey (Chad Marshall, Gonzalo Pineda) 52'
COL - Dillon Serna (Nick LaBrocca) 62'
SEA - Obafemi Martins (Lamar Neagle) 75'
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei, DeAndre Yedlin, Chad Marshall, Djimi Traore, Dylan Remick Lamar Neagle, Osvaldo Alonso (Andy Rose 82), Gonzalo Pineda, Marco Pappa (Brad Evans 69'), Obafemi Martins, Clint Dempsey (Kenny Cooper 88').
Substitutes Not Used: Marcus Hahnemann, Jalil Anibaba, Chad Barrett, Zach Scott
TOTAL SHOTS: 20 (Dempsey, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 13 (Martins, 6); FOULS: 19 (2 players, 2) OFFSIDE: 1 (Martins, 1); CORNER KICKS: 5 (Pineda, 4); SAVES: 3 (Frei, 3).
Colorado Rapids - Clint Irwin, Thomas Piermayr, Shane O'Neill, Drew Moor, Christopher Klute, Jose Mari (Jared Watts 72'), Nick LaBrocca, Nathan Sturgis (Marlon Hairston 56'), Dillon Serna, Gabriel Torres, Edson Buddle (Deshorn Brown 59').
Substitutes Not Used: John Berner, Charles Eloundou, Vicente Sanchez, Marvell Wynne
TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (3 players, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Serna, 2); FOULS: 13 (5 players, 2); OFFSIDE: 1 (Torres, 1); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Piermayr, 1); SAVES: 8 (Irwin, 8).
Misconduct Summary:
COL - Thomas Piermayr (caution) 25'
COL - Gabriel Torres (caution) 37'
Referee: Armando Villarreal
Referee's Assistants: Jeff Hosking, Corey Parker
4th Official: Juan Guzman
Attendance: 38,582
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 55 degrees
