Ever since the Seattle Sounders entered MLS their m.o. has always been that of a club with an impressive fan-base, a strong starter, but a team unable to come through in the big moment. With goals by Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins the Seattle Sounders moved back into first place by defeating the Colorado Rapids 4-1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Seattle would be given the perfect opportunity to take the lead early on when Rapids defender Marvell Wynne would cause a handball in the box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Clint Dempsey would bury his shot past goalkeeper Clint Irwin for the first goal of the match.
While Seattle came into the match as the clear favorites, it was Colorado who looked like the stronger team early on. Given that the club was facing elimination should they lose, there was some added fire to the Rapids attack. A header by Rapids forward Deshorn Brown in the 14th minute just missed the top left corner of the goal.
Brown would have another opportunity in the 18th minute when he would slip past the Seattle defense and hit another header on target. Seattle goalkeeper Sebastian Frei would make the save. Full credit to Frei, who was under consistent threat during the early part of the first half and made three saves during the match.
Before the Rapids could get another opportunity, Seattle would strike. In the 28th minute, Sounders midfielder Marco Pappa would chip a pass over the Colorado defense and find a surging Martins. Martins would then hit a shot that would go past Irwin to give Colorado the 2-0 advantage.
Pappa would find himself with a golden opportunity just five minutes later. The Guatemalan international would make the most of his opportunity hitting a rainbow shot over Irwin to put Seattle ahead 3-0.
Brown would put the Rapids back within two goals in the 43rd minute when he would hit a sample tap in past Frei. Rapids midfielder Dillon erna set up the goal with an cross into the box.
Although the Rapids were able to close within two goals, the Seattle midfielder clogged up their passing lanes and forced the Rapids attack to go to the outside. Sounders midfielder Oswaldo Alonso had several interceptions which changed the pace of the match and gave the Seattle back-line a bit of respite.
Needing another goal to seal the match it would be Martins once again to lift the club’s scoreline to 4-1. With his goal in the 72nd he earned the distinction of having the most goals among any Sounders player in a single season, passing Freddy Montero’s mark of sixteen in 2011.
With the victory, Seattle (19-9-3, 60 points) moves back into first place in the Western Conference standings and in the Supporters Shield standings. Seattle will have a critical test coming up on Friday night when they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps.
For the Colorado Rapids (8-15-8, 32 points) the loss eliminates them from playoff contention and starts a long off-season of figuring out who their starting goalkeeper will be and how they can improve upon their defense and general roster depth. They will travel to Los Angeles next Saturday to take on Chivas USA.
Men of the Match
1.) Obafemi Martins- Seattle’s all-time single season goal scoring leader put away two fantastic goals and helped open up the attack for Pappa’s tally. A shame that he will not be Nigeria for Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying.
2,) Marco Pappa- Delivered an excellent cross for the game’s second goal and finished a tremendous run for the third. He may have been Seattle’s missing link.
3.) Deshorn Brown- Was a nuisance for the Sounders back four all match. Should prove to be vital for Jamaica during the Caribbean Cup.