The Seattle Sounders entered Sunday's match against the Philadelphia Union hoping to build off their 3-0 win on Wednesday against Vancouver and jump into second place in the West. Without the likes of Roman Torres, Osvaldo Alonso and Victor Rodrgiuez, they were unable to accomplish that goal.
Rookie midfielder Marcus Epps provided the game's lone goal in the first half after the Union had dominated for much of the first 30 minutes. The Sounders, who gave Clint Dempsey a rest in the first half, came out sluggish after making the cross-country trip.
Dempsey entered in the 55th minute and provided some life but was unable to get his team the equalizer as they made a strong push in the second half.
Roland Alberg provided the clincher in the 88th minute with a swerving stunner off of a short corner.
Goals
Three Things
- SLUGGISH SOUNDERS: Seattle made the cross-country flight from Seattle to Philadelphia on Friday, but the extra day on the east coast did not seem to matter. They did not take a shot in the first half and allowed the Union to take control of the game before some second-half adjustments from head coach Brian Schmetzer.
- EMERGING EPPS: Marcus Epps wasn’t even supposed to start on Sunday, but with Chris Pontius suffering an injury during warmups, the rookie was forced into the starting XI. He delivered with the game-winner in the first half, his second goal of the season. After seeing very little time through the first half of the season, the Jackson, Miss. Native has become a contributor for Jim Curtin, appearing in 14 of the Union’s last 15 games.
- ALBERG SURPRISE: It was reported earlier this week that Roland Alberg could have been transferred to another club this summer, but the Union declined. This is surprising considering the Dutchmen had played just 840 minutes entering Sunday’s match and appeared to be out of Jim Curtin’s good graces. He showed why the Union may have not transferred him with an incredible strike to clinch the Union’s ninth home victory, a new club record.
Next Up
- PHI: Sunday, Oct. 15 at Chicago Fire (5 pm ET; MLS LIVE)
- SEA: Sunday, Oct. 15 vs. FC Dallas (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE)
