The Sounders came out firing Saturday night at Qwest Field and it couldn't have come at a better time. Winless in their last 6 matches, and slipping to 3rd place in the West, the Sounders were desperate for 3 points. And they go it.
You could see the intensity on the players' faces. Fresh off a grueling practice, where head coach Sigi Schmid pounded the players with finishing drills, the team looked sharp. From kick-off the Sounders applied relentless pressure on the San Jose Earthquake defense.
Rookie forward Steve Zakuani was playing like a man possessed and consistently snuck behind Earthquake defenders for scoring chances. Sebastien Le Toux supplied numerous tireless runs creating havoc and mismatches all over the field. And the oft-injured Swedish refugee Freddie Ljungberg was magnificent with the ball at his feet, serving Fredy Montero and the rest of the front line with clean goal scoring opportunities.
It was obvious the Sounders were the superior team. All they needed was a goal to show for it.
Finally, with a few minutes to spare in the first half, Ljungberg broke free and chipped the Earthquake goalkeeper for the Sounders' first goal. Montero then made it 2-0 off a corner kick in the second half, where he found himself all alone at the far post for a wide open net. This was all the Sounders would need to cruise to an easy victory.
D.C. United is up next for the Sounders, this Wednesday, June 17th. It should be a great match between 2 of the top 4 teams in the MLS.
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