CARSON, Calif. – Obafemi Martins and Andy Rose each scored twice as the Seattle Sounders beat Chivas USA 4-2 on Wednesday night in a battle between teams at opposite ends of the standings.
Seattle did all of their damage in the first half, with Martins opening the scoring in the 11th minute off a corner kick opportunity and doubling the lead five minutes later following a splendid feed from Lamar Neagle.
Rose scored his first two goals of the season, both on set-piece deliveries from Brad Evans in virtually identical scenarios. His first came in the 38th minute when he tracked down Evans’ cross near the back post and beat goalkeeper Dan Kennedy with a volley to the far side. Rose struck again six minutes later, this time with a header over two stumbling defenders.
With the victory, Seattle extended their unbeaten streak to four games and secured their second win at StubHub Center against Chivas USA this year.
It could have been far worse for the Goats, who saw their winless drought increase to eight games. Clint Dempsey had golden chances in the 12th and 13th minutes, but he misfired on the first attempt and had his chipped shot cleared from danger on the second opportunity. With only Kennedy to beat in the 21st minute, Dempsey shot wide again.
The Goats got on the board in the 51st minute when Marco Delgado finished an Eric Avila lob into the area with a header past Stefan Frei. It was Chivas USA’s first goal since July 20, snapping a scoreless streak that had ballooned to 597 consecutive minutes, only five short of the club record set in 2012.
It took them just eight minutes to find the net again, as Ryan Finley scored from the penalty spot after being brought down by Zach Scott in the 59th minute. The Goats were without leading scorer Erick “Cubo” Torres, who left the squad earlier in the week to join the Mexican national team for their upcoming friendlies.
First-place Seattle (16-7-3) won their seventh road game of the year – the most in the Western Conference. Last-place Chivas USA (6-14-6) lost for the eighth time at home, also the most in the conference.
The sides are set to wrap up their series Sept. 27 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
Chivas USA head east for their next game Sunday against the Columbus Crew, while the Sounders return home for a matchup against Real Salt Lake on Sept. 12.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/obafemi-martins" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12px;">Obafemi Martins</span></a></strong> |
Wasn't perfect, but set the tone with his intensity and hunger for goals. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/brad-evans" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Brad Evans</span></strong></a> |
Makes subtle, good plays so often that it's easy to take him for granted. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/andy-rose" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Andy Rose</span></strong></a> |
Fundamentals, kids. Just make a good hard run to the back post - again and again. |
