Seattle Sounders ripped Colorado Rapids’ lackluster defense wide-open at a packed CenturyLink Field on Saturday. Siegfried “Sigi” Schmid’s team secured its third straight win with a 4-1 victory.
Superstars Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins stole the show with their eccentric movement, audacious passing and clinically finishing. The duo scored three of Seattle’s four goals, while Lamar Neagle restated his value with the first goal of the game. Rookie Dillon Serna scored Colorado’s consolation goal.
After an uneventful first 17 minutes, Dempsey’s long-range shot was spilled by Clint Irwin but Martins’ rebound went off the goalkeeper for a corner kick. The Nigerian couldn't redirect the ball past Irwin who stayed big in front of goal. Seven minutes later, DeAndre Yedlin served in a decent cross after connecting with Marco Pappa on a one-two, but Irwin swooped up the ball before Martins could pounce on it.
Seattle kept the pressure on the Colorado’s back line and almost went up in the 27th minute. Pappa found Neagle in the far post, but the forward elected to shoot instead of squaring it across the goal to wide open Martins and Dempsey. He fired wide from close range.
The Rapid’s first half goal drought extended to seven games after failing to create any substantial chance. Edson Buddle was Pablo Mastroeni’s most dangerous player in the first 45. He held up the ball up brilliantly, but his teammates couldn't conjure up a fruitful attack.
In added time in the first half, a counterattack led to Seattle’s first goal. Martins threaded a through ball to Dempsey, who dribbled past Irwin but his shot was cleared off the line by Drew Moor. But unfortunately for the Rapids’ captain, Neagle was right behind him to slot it in for his second goal in as many games.
Dempsey added to Colorado’s mystery with a tap in just two minute into the second half. The American connected with Neagle after Colorado failed to clear the ball and Irwin spilled Neagle’s shot right into Dempsey’s feet.
Dempsey came close to scoring his second of the game after combining with Martins and Neagle, but Irwin was up to the challenge. A minute later, Martins used his pace to outrun his defender, but his shot was saved at the near post by Irwin. The resulting corner went to the far post and a towering Chad Marshall headed it back onto the head of Dempsey who guided it into the back of the net.
Colorado pulled one back in the 62nd minute. Nick LaBrocca split Seattle’s defense with a long pass to a streaking Serna. The youngster controlled the ball with utmost plum and chipped an onrushing Stefan Frei.
As Colorado pushed for a second goal, substitute Brad Evans found Martins inside the box, but Irwin stayed on his feet to block the forward’s shot.
Martins finally got his name on the score sheet with a classic number 9 finish in the 75th minute. The Nigerian was set into motion by a quick throw-in as he drove into the box and placed a shot into Irwin’s far post.
Six minutes later, Seattle showed its defensive frailties as one pass split the two center backs, but Deshorn Brown failed to punish them.
Seattle remained the dominant team until the end of the game, but couldn't score a fifth goal.
Superstars Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins stole the show with their eccentric movement, audacious passing and clinically finishing. The duo scored three of Seattle’s four goals, while Lamar Neagle restated his value with the first goal of the game. Rookie Dillon Serna scored Colorado’s consolation goal.
After an uneventful first 17 minutes, Dempsey’s long-range shot was spilled by Clint Irwin but Martins’ rebound went off the goalkeeper for a corner kick. The Nigerian couldn't redirect the ball past Irwin who stayed big in front of goal. Seven minutes later, DeAndre Yedlin served in a decent cross after connecting with Marco Pappa on a one-two, but Irwin swooped up the ball before Martins could pounce on it.
Seattle kept the pressure on the Colorado’s back line and almost went up in the 27th minute. Pappa found Neagle in the far post, but the forward elected to shoot instead of squaring it across the goal to wide open Martins and Dempsey. He fired wide from close range.
The Rapid’s first half goal drought extended to seven games after failing to create any substantial chance. Edson Buddle was Pablo Mastroeni’s most dangerous player in the first 45. He held up the ball up brilliantly, but his teammates couldn't conjure up a fruitful attack.
In added time in the first half, a counterattack led to Seattle’s first goal. Martins threaded a through ball to Dempsey, who dribbled past Irwin but his shot was cleared off the line by Drew Moor. But unfortunately for the Rapids’ captain, Neagle was right behind him to slot it in for his second goal in as many games.
Dempsey added to Colorado’s mystery with a tap in just two minute into the second half. The American connected with Neagle after Colorado failed to clear the ball and Irwin spilled Neagle’s shot right into Dempsey’s feet.
Dempsey came close to scoring his second of the game after combining with Martins and Neagle, but Irwin was up to the challenge. A minute later, Martins used his pace to outrun his defender, but his shot was saved at the near post by Irwin. The resulting corner went to the far post and a towering Chad Marshall headed it back onto the head of Dempsey who guided it into the back of the net.
Colorado pulled one back in the 62nd minute. Nick LaBrocca split Seattle’s defense with a long pass to a streaking Serna. The youngster controlled the ball with utmost plum and chipped an onrushing Stefan Frei.
As Colorado pushed for a second goal, substitute Brad Evans found Martins inside the box, but Irwin stayed on his feet to block the forward’s shot.
Martins finally got his name on the score sheet with a classic number 9 finish in the 75th minute. The Nigerian was set into motion by a quick throw-in as he drove into the box and placed a shot into Irwin’s far post.
Six minutes later, Seattle showed its defensive frailties as one pass split the two center backs, but Deshorn Brown failed to punish them.
Seattle remained the dominant team until the end of the game, but couldn't score a fifth goal.