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Played
July 25, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Qwest Field, Seattle, Wash.
Referee: Yader Reyes
July 25, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Qwest Field, Seattle, Wash.
Referee: Yader Reyes
Top of the Match
Steve Zakuani
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Steve Zakuani
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Flop of the Match
Danny Earls
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
Jamie Smith
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 Colorado Rapids: Steve Zakuani Brace Carries Rave Green
By Zac Lee Rigg
SEATTLE -- For the first time in the 2010 MLS season, Seattle Sounders FC beat Western Conference opposition thanks to a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids.
Qwest Field hosted 36,333 fans who watched an extremely bright opening settle into valuable home points.
First Half
With both teams scrambling to secure a playoff spot and with a crucial Western Conference head-to-head tie-breaker on the line, both teams wasted no time getting around to attacking.
Within the second minute, Fredy Montero stretched to reach a Sanna Nyassi cross but only succeeded in spearing Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens instead of the ball.
Montero made it into the box again six minutes later. After it was stripped from the Colombian, the ball fell to Steve Zakuani and the winger slammed a shot off the post. The rebound deflected off the back of diving Pickens and into the net for the game's opener.
Colorado hit back within a minute. Omar Cummings shifted the ball onto his left foot and unleashed a rocket of a response into the top left corner.
The game kept up its thrilling pace and produced another goal in the 17th minute. Nyassi torched Dany Earls with his pace (and a generous onside call) and crossed directly in front of the goal-mouth. There, Zakuani easily tapped in his second.
The brace marked the first multi-goal game for a Seattle player all season. Montero also picked up an assist on the play thanks to his clever through-ball to Nyassi, marking the seventh game in a row in which he has either scored or assisted a goal.
Again the Rapids reacted quickly. Conor Casey, leaning away from goal, got his dome on a Marvell Wynne cross. His looping header looked destined for the top corner until the fingertips of Kasey Keller pushed it over.
After the frantic pace of the opening, the game quieted down a bit after the third goal and the half ended with Seattle leading 2-1.
Second Half
With no changes at the half, a brief spark again settled into a more temperate game.
Montero and Nyassi both had chances early on but spurned them.
The Rapids best chance of the half probably came just after the hour mark. Marvell Wynne burned Zach Scott down the flank and centered the ball. The cross bounced out of the box to Pablo Mastroeni, who hit a screamer. Jamie Smith poked a toe to redirect the shot on frame, but Keller collected.
The game flowed from end to end throughout the match, but no more great chances went begging. Late in the match Zakuani walked the ball into the back of the net but the play was called back for a correct offside flag. A minute after, Montero tried an audacious shot from the half-way line which nearly caught Pickens out, but the goalkeeper recovered in time.
Deep into injury time Conor Casey and Patrick Ianni clashed heads going for a cross in the box. Both spent a good deal of time on the pitch recovering, with Casey bleeding profusely.
In the end the blood and toil proved insufficient for the Rapids as Seattle won.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Qwest Field hosted 36,333 fans who watched an extremely bright opening settle into valuable home points.
First Half
With both teams scrambling to secure a playoff spot and with a crucial Western Conference head-to-head tie-breaker on the line, both teams wasted no time getting around to attacking.
Within the second minute, Fredy Montero stretched to reach a Sanna Nyassi cross but only succeeded in spearing Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens instead of the ball.
Montero made it into the box again six minutes later. After it was stripped from the Colombian, the ball fell to Steve Zakuani and the winger slammed a shot off the post. The rebound deflected off the back of diving Pickens and into the net for the game's opener.
Colorado hit back within a minute. Omar Cummings shifted the ball onto his left foot and unleashed a rocket of a response into the top left corner.
The game kept up its thrilling pace and produced another goal in the 17th minute. Nyassi torched Dany Earls with his pace (and a generous onside call) and crossed directly in front of the goal-mouth. There, Zakuani easily tapped in his second.
The brace marked the first multi-goal game for a Seattle player all season. Montero also picked up an assist on the play thanks to his clever through-ball to Nyassi, marking the seventh game in a row in which he has either scored or assisted a goal.
Again the Rapids reacted quickly. Conor Casey, leaning away from goal, got his dome on a Marvell Wynne cross. His looping header looked destined for the top corner until the fingertips of Kasey Keller pushed it over.
After the frantic pace of the opening, the game quieted down a bit after the third goal and the half ended with Seattle leading 2-1.
Second Half
With no changes at the half, a brief spark again settled into a more temperate game.
Montero and Nyassi both had chances early on but spurned them.
The Rapids best chance of the half probably came just after the hour mark. Marvell Wynne burned Zach Scott down the flank and centered the ball. The cross bounced out of the box to Pablo Mastroeni, who hit a screamer. Jamie Smith poked a toe to redirect the shot on frame, but Keller collected.
The game flowed from end to end throughout the match, but no more great chances went begging. Late in the match Zakuani walked the ball into the back of the net but the play was called back for a correct offside flag. A minute after, Montero tried an audacious shot from the half-way line which nearly caught Pickens out, but the goalkeeper recovered in time.
Deep into injury time Conor Casey and Patrick Ianni clashed heads going for a cross in the box. Both spent a good deal of time on the pitch recovering, with Casey bleeding profusely.
In the end the blood and toil proved insufficient for the Rapids as Seattle won.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |