In a preseason tune-up for both teams, Seattle Sounders FC blanked the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0 in front of an empty Qwest Field. Nate Jaqua and Fredy Montero each tallied twice in the closed-door scrimmage.
In their first competitive match in Qwest Field, Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid trotted out a lineup closely resembling a possible opening day lineup.
After a back-and forth first 20 minutes, Seattle took control of the game and started taking the lion's share of the goal-scoring opportunities. Montero, who had been retreating into midfield to find space in front of Vancouver's back four, orchestrated the first goal in the 37th minute with a diagonal ball to Jaqua. Jaqua received the lofted ball with his chest at the top of the area before coolly slotting it home with his left foot.
Just two minutes later, an opportunistic Jaqua doubled the advantage. Sanna Nyassi, who created plenty of chances on the right side of midfield, sent a cross to a streaking Sebastien Le Toux. Le Toux's header was saved by Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly, but Jaqua pounced on the rebound for his second goal.
For their part, Vancouver held possession ably but struggled to get up the field, with Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Evans proving to be a tough barrier in the middle of the pitch.
Whitecaps striker Charles Gbeke nearly provided the game's first goal after blocking a clearance from Seattle's Tyrone Marshall clearance. The rebound fell invitingly in the penalty area but Keller, dressed in all black and wearing the captain's armband, got a foot on Gbeke's low drive to the far post.
Besides tipping a chip over the bar in the first minute, Keller did not see much action as Seattle's back line was solid.
Schmid stayed with his first string in the second half and he was rewarded with several more chances. Le Toux's empty net goal off a pass from Jaqua was called offsides, while Montero's knuckling free kick minutes later was barely saved. It became clear the Vancouver defense could not handle the Colombian and it did not take long for him to find the net.
Montero's first goal came off a counter-attack, as he coolly skipped past a defender and netted with his right foot in the 66th minute. Two minutes later, a deflected Seattle shot fell to him behind the defense. The Colombian completed the brace with another right-footed shot, this time finding the side netting from a sharp angle.
After Montero's second goal, Schmid cleared the bench and brought in nine new field players. They joined Roger Levesque, who entered the game for Nyassi minutes earlier. Sounders FC continued to control the game but were not able to find the net.
Seattle Sounders FC departs for Argentina in two days to finish their preseason preparations. They are scheduled to play four games in 10 days before returning home for their final preseason game, March 12 against the Colorado Rapids.
Andrew Winner is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
