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Montero's Late Goal For Sounders Downs United
Fredy Montero's goal in the 84th minute was just enough for the Seattle Sounders to beat D.C. United 2-1 Saturday night in the nation's capital.
Sep 12, 2009 11:54:49 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Coming into the match, D.C. United had not lost a league match at home all season. But Fredy Montero's third goal against United in as many matches in all competitions this season was the difference between the two sides. After Steve Zakuani put Seattle ahead in the first half, fellow rookie Rodney Wallace equalized early in the second, setting the stage for Montero's late winner.
Just ten days after meeting in the U.S. Open Cup final, Seattle was back in D.C. for the second league match between the two sides this season. In June, United fought back from two goals down late on to earn a point in a 3-3 draw.
Both sides made three changes from their last matches, as injuries forced both managers to make alterations to their sides. Tyrone Marshall, Brad Evans and Freddie Ljungberg made way for Patrick Ianni, Sebastien Le Toux, and Peter Vagenas for Seattle. United made three changes from the side that beat Kansas City on Wednesday, with Avery John, Fred and Ben Olsen handed starts.
First Half
United started the game with a better tempo and looking for an early chance, but Seattle went ahead early on thanks to Steve Zakuani. With just one pass from the midfield from Peter Vagenas, Zakuani was in behind the United defense. United keeper Josh Wicks came off his line quickly, but Zakuani simply rolled the ball between Wicks' legs, and Seattle was off to a flying start with a lead in the fifth minute.
Play between the two sides was scrappy, and the final link for both sides was missing in the final third. United had a couple of dangerous chances, but its inability to finish them off meant D.C. struggled to find an equalizer.
Santino Quaranta played a cross in from the right that flew over the head of Luciano Emilio, and Seattle defender James Riley chested the ball back into the path of Emilio. But just eight yards out from goal, Emilio put his header well wide of the target. Quaranta then found Fred in the box with a diagonal cross, but the Brazilian's first touch was straight into the path of Seattle 'keeper Kasey Keller.
Emilio was at the receiving end of a long ball from Rodney Wallace, but he and Keller collided at the top of the box going for the ball, and defender Leo Gonzalez cleared the ball out to avoid any other danger.
Seattle wasn't without any chances on Wicks, and was decidedly the more dangerous side in the first half. Zakuani had a great chance at a header in the 29th minute, but his effort after a cross from Fredy Montero was put just over the bar. Zakuani and Montero were the main forces behind most of Seattle's attacks, and the United defense struggled against the pair for most of the first half.
Seattle had the final threat of the half, as it had two quick chances in the 37th minute. Montero played an inviting throughball in for Sebastien Le Toux, who was got in behind the United back line. But Wicks was quick off his line and blocked the shot from the Frenchman. The rebound fell out to Montero, who lined up a shot at the top of the box, before firing over. After just a minute of stoppage time, the teams went into halftime with Seattle holding the one goal advantage.
Second Half
The second half started at a timid pace, and both teams seemed content with knocking the ball around the pitch in the early going. United made one change during this time: Fred was replaced by United rookie Chris Pontius, as the Brazilian limped off the field.
Moments after Pontius came on to the field, United was level, as Wallace scored his third goal of the season. Wallace picked up a loose ball in the Seattle half and made his way towards the Seattle box. He tried to make a pass to Emilio, but Riley knocked it back into the path of Wallace, who was all alone in the box. The United midfielder made no mistake, slotting a shot past Keller, leveling the score in the 54th minute.
Proceedings returned to a more deliberate approach with neither team looking excited to concede the next goal. Play was limited to possession in the midfield, as both sides looked to gain the upper hand in the match.
Seattle created a fantastic chance in the 65th minute, as a terrific throughball from substitute Brad Evans released Zakuani. Wicks was again quick off his line, but this time, the American 'keeper was able to parry the shot. The rebound fell to Montero in the box, but the Seattle hitman only managed to hit the side netting.
United then had a couple of really good opportunities, as it finally threatened the Seattle goal again. Ben Olsen had a long range range shot that Keller was just able to get to, as he pushed the shot around the post for a corner. Emilio then had two chances for United, twice played in behind the defense. But his first effort in 74th minute just did not have enough bend it in to curl around Keller, and, a minute later, Emilio beat Keller, but his shot skipped wide of the far post.
Seattle punished United for the missed chances, as Montero put Seattle ahead in the 84th minute. Riley played a pass into the box for Montero, who received it and turned towards goal. Julius James failed to close down on Montero, who unleashed a powerful shot towards the near post, which Wicks could not stop. Seattle went up 2-1 in the dying minutes.
Even with United pouring numbers forward late on in the match, the hosts failed to create any concrete chances and Seattle's defense held firm under the bombardment of crosses. United's efforts were not enough, and after three minutes of stoppage time, the game ended, with Seattle picking up a crucial three points away from home.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Just ten days after meeting in the U.S. Open Cup final, Seattle was back in D.C. for the second league match between the two sides this season. In June, United fought back from two goals down late on to earn a point in a 3-3 draw.
Both sides made three changes from their last matches, as injuries forced both managers to make alterations to their sides. Tyrone Marshall, Brad Evans and Freddie Ljungberg made way for Patrick Ianni, Sebastien Le Toux, and Peter Vagenas for Seattle. United made three changes from the side that beat Kansas City on Wednesday, with Avery John, Fred and Ben Olsen handed starts.
First Half
United started the game with a better tempo and looking for an early chance, but Seattle went ahead early on thanks to Steve Zakuani. With just one pass from the midfield from Peter Vagenas, Zakuani was in behind the United defense. United keeper Josh Wicks came off his line quickly, but Zakuani simply rolled the ball between Wicks' legs, and Seattle was off to a flying start with a lead in the fifth minute.
Play between the two sides was scrappy, and the final link for both sides was missing in the final third. United had a couple of dangerous chances, but its inability to finish them off meant D.C. struggled to find an equalizer.
Santino Quaranta played a cross in from the right that flew over the head of Luciano Emilio, and Seattle defender James Riley chested the ball back into the path of Emilio. But just eight yards out from goal, Emilio put his header well wide of the target. Quaranta then found Fred in the box with a diagonal cross, but the Brazilian's first touch was straight into the path of Seattle 'keeper Kasey Keller.
Emilio was at the receiving end of a long ball from Rodney Wallace, but he and Keller collided at the top of the box going for the ball, and defender Leo Gonzalez cleared the ball out to avoid any other danger.
Seattle wasn't without any chances on Wicks, and was decidedly the more dangerous side in the first half. Zakuani had a great chance at a header in the 29th minute, but his effort after a cross from Fredy Montero was put just over the bar. Zakuani and Montero were the main forces behind most of Seattle's attacks, and the United defense struggled against the pair for most of the first half.
Seattle had the final threat of the half, as it had two quick chances in the 37th minute. Montero played an inviting throughball in for Sebastien Le Toux, who was got in behind the United back line. But Wicks was quick off his line and blocked the shot from the Frenchman. The rebound fell out to Montero, who lined up a shot at the top of the box, before firing over. After just a minute of stoppage time, the teams went into halftime with Seattle holding the one goal advantage.
Second Half
The second half started at a timid pace, and both teams seemed content with knocking the ball around the pitch in the early going. United made one change during this time: Fred was replaced by United rookie Chris Pontius, as the Brazilian limped off the field.
Moments after Pontius came on to the field, United was level, as Wallace scored his third goal of the season. Wallace picked up a loose ball in the Seattle half and made his way towards the Seattle box. He tried to make a pass to Emilio, but Riley knocked it back into the path of Wallace, who was all alone in the box. The United midfielder made no mistake, slotting a shot past Keller, leveling the score in the 54th minute.
Proceedings returned to a more deliberate approach with neither team looking excited to concede the next goal. Play was limited to possession in the midfield, as both sides looked to gain the upper hand in the match.
Seattle created a fantastic chance in the 65th minute, as a terrific throughball from substitute Brad Evans released Zakuani. Wicks was again quick off his line, but this time, the American 'keeper was able to parry the shot. The rebound fell to Montero in the box, but the Seattle hitman only managed to hit the side netting.
United then had a couple of really good opportunities, as it finally threatened the Seattle goal again. Ben Olsen had a long range range shot that Keller was just able to get to, as he pushed the shot around the post for a corner. Emilio then had two chances for United, twice played in behind the defense. But his first effort in 74th minute just did not have enough bend it in to curl around Keller, and, a minute later, Emilio beat Keller, but his shot skipped wide of the far post.
Seattle punished United for the missed chances, as Montero put Seattle ahead in the 84th minute. Riley played a pass into the box for Montero, who received it and turned towards goal. Julius James failed to close down on Montero, who unleashed a powerful shot towards the near post, which Wicks could not stop. Seattle went up 2-1 in the dying minutes.
Even with United pouring numbers forward late on in the match, the hosts failed to create any concrete chances and Seattle's defense held firm under the bombardment of crosses. United's efforts were not enough, and after three minutes of stoppage time, the game ended, with Seattle picking up a crucial three points away from home.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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