SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC opened its 2015 MLS campaign on the Xbox Pitch and CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening, defeating reigning Eastern Conference champion New England by a final score of 3-0. The 39,782 fans in attendance - Seattle's 108th consecutive MLS sellout - witnessed two goals from forward Clint Dempsey and a third strike from Obafemi Martins.
Seattle (1-0-0, 3 points) began the scoring in the 25th minute with a penalty kick goal from Dempsey. The Designated Player drew the spot-kick after receiving a corner from Marco Pappa inside the Revolution's area, before being fouled by a New England player. Dempsey slotted home the penalty into the top right corner of the net, making him three-for-three in penalty kick attempts for Sounders FC.
Seattle's second goal came in the 41st minute on a header from Martins. Micheal Azira found Pappa, who brought the ball across midfield to Dempsey. Dempsey sent a through ball to Tyrone Mears on the right flank, and the English defender sent the cross to Martins in the middle of the area. Sounders FC is now 20-0-0 in matches in which Martins scores a goal, while Mears recorded his first MLS assist.
Dempsey - in his 100th career MLS start - completed his brace in the 67th minute to make the score 3-0. Combination play began when Marco Pappa slotted a weighted through ball to a streaking Martins, who flanked New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth alongside Dempsey for a two-on-one advantage. As Shuttleworth rushed toward the ball, Martins found Dempsey on the other side of the 18-yard-box for an easy tap-in. Dempsey is now fifth all-time in club history with 18 goals.
Sounders FC returns to MLS action on Saturday, March 14 against the San Jose Earthquakes on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (7:00 p.m. PT / Q13).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 3 - New England 0
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Venue: Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field
Referee:Juan Guzman
Assistants: Peter Manikowski, Corey Parker
Fourth Official: Corey Parker
Attendance: 39,782
Weather: Clear and 54 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA - Clint Dempsey (penalty) 25'
SEA - Obafemi Martins (Tyrone Mears, Clint Dempsey) 41'
SEA - Clint Dempsey (Marco Pappa, Obafemi Martins) 67'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
NE - Jose Goncalves (caution) 73'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears, Brad Evans-C, Chad Marshall, Leo Gonzalez; Lamar Neagle (Andy Rose, 83'), Micheal Azira, Gonzalo Pineda (Cristian Roldan, 90+'), Marco Pappa (Aaron Kovar 90'); Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins
Substitutes not used:Troy Perkins, Chad Barrett, Dylan Remick, Zach Scott
Total shots:6 (Clint Dempsey, 4)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Clint Dempsey, 2)
Fouls:16 (5 tied at 1)
Offside:1 (Brad Evans, 4)
Corner-kicks:8 (Marco Pappa, 5)
Saves:1 (Stefan Frei, 1)
New England Revolution - Bobby Shuttleworth; Kevin Alston, Jose Goncalves-C, Andrew Farrell, Chris Tierney; Andy Dorman (Daigo Kobayashi, 57'), Scott Caldwell, Diego Fagundez (Steve Neumann, 77'), Juan Agudelo (Sean Okoli, 68'); Teal Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Darrius Barnes, Charlie Davies, London Woodberry
Total shots:8 (2 tied at 2)
Shots on goal:1 (Kelyn Rowe, 1)
Fouls:14 (Juan Agudelo, 4)
Offside: 1 (Juan Agudelo, 1)
Corner-kicks:6 (Kelyn Rowe, 4)
Saves:0 (None)
