The Sounders' record shutout streak may have come to an end, but another club mark is in tact. With a 2-1 win against Minnesota United at CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening, the Rave Green have matched the club record with nine consecutive unbeaten matches.
The Loons struck first on a goal by midfielder Ethan Finlay in the 21st minute, which snapped the Rave Green's streak of 421 minutes without allowing a goal. Ten minutes later, Seattle equalized on a goal by defender Chad Marshall. Midfielder Nico Lodeiro delivered a whipping free kick from the right flank near the corner flag, which found Marshall in the center of the area. The veteran defender easily placed the ball into the top right corner of the net for his first goal of the campaign. The assist marked Lodeiro's ninth of the season.
The lone goal in the second half came in the final play of the match, with Clint Dempsey knocking home a penalty kick in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. After a hand ball was called in the area against Minnesota, Dempsey stepped up to the spot before putting his shot past Bobby Shuttleworth. Dempsey now has seven goals in his past six matches.
After the win, Seattle surges to the top of the Western Conference table with 40 points. Sporting Kansas City also has 40 points, with Houston and Portland sitting right behind at 37 points apiece.
