SEATTLE -- Clint Dempsey scored the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time from the penalty spot, giving the Seattle Sounders a 2-1 victory at the death over Minnesota United at CenturyLink Field on Sunday.
Ethan Finlay opened the scoring in the 21st minute for the visitors with a well-placed finish past Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei that ended Seattle’s club-record 421 minute streak without conceding a goal dating back to their 4-3 win over D.C. United on July 19. Chad Marshall would equalize on a 31st-minute header and the 1-1 scoreline would hold until the game’s waning moments, when the Loons were called for a handball in the penalty box. Dempsey would cash home his 11th goal of the season on the last kick of the game to give the Sounders the full three points.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Deuce to the rescue
Just two weeks after they blew out the Loons 4-0 on the road at TCF Bank Stadium, the Sounders couldn’t replicate those offensive fireworks for most of Sunday’s rematch. Seattle’s attack looked a step slow for much of the night aside from Marshall’s equalizer and Minnesota could have had a second goal of their own had they been more clinical in front of goal on a collection of flubbed chances. But, Dempsey would come to the rescue with the late PK, moving the Sounders to 11-7-7 and back atop the Western Conference.
Streak ends
The Sounders came into Sunday’s match riding a club-record 400 minute streak without conceding a goal – a mark that they extended to 421 before Finlay’s tally put an end to the historic run. It was a disappointing fashion for the streak to end, but it nonetheless was an impressive milestone for a Sounders defense that has been largely lights out since the addition of right back Kelvin Leerdam in July.
Cascadia Cup fixtures looming
With the three points in hand and their unbeaten streak moving to nine, Seattle have a pair of massive Cascadia Cup fixtures on the horizon, starting with a road showdown with the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Wednesday. They’ll then follow that up with a weekend home bout against the Portland Timbers. Sunday’s performance may not have been Seattle’s best effort of the season but if there were ever a pair of high-stakes matchups to right the ship, these would be exactly that.
