MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 4 vs. Orlando City SC 0
Goal-scorers: Obafemi Martins (17’, 62’), Nelson Valdez (51’), Thomás (90+2’)
Site: CenturyLink Field
Man of the Match: Making his return after missing two months of action with an adductor injury, Obafemi Martins put on an absolute show in front of over 40,000 supporters at CenturyLink Field. The Nigerian striker netted a brace on two remarkable individual efforts before exiting the match with 25 minutes remaining. Although his first-half penalty kick was saved, Martins also helped set up Nelson Valdez’s goal, leaving the ball off to Erik Friberg for a cross that found the head of Valdez.
Telling Stat: Sounders FC is now 6-1-0 this season when Martins scores and 8-3-0 when he’s in the starting lineup. Since he joined the club in 2013, the Rave Green have lost just one game in which Martins finds the back of the net (25-1-0).
What You Missed: Recent signings Román Torres and Valdez were both in the starting XI, making their Sounders FC debuts in Sunday’s victory. Seattle went back to its preferred 4-4-2 formation with Valdez playing up top alongside Martins and Torres paring with Chad Marshall at centerback.
So What: Sounders FC snapped its franchise-record five-game losing streak with the victory and remains in sixth place in the Western Conference, four points ahead of seventh-place Houston Dynamo. The Rave Green continue their busy month of August on Wednesday in a CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage match against C.D. Olimpia at CenturyLink Field.
