In a game that was going to be full of emotions, Seattle made amends to their dip in form as they bounced back to winning ways at CenturyLink Field against Colorado. Emotions were running high as this game saw the return of Brian Mullan, who ended Steve Zakuani’s season early on in the Sounders campaign last year after a reckless challenge which broke his leg. This was not forgotten by the Seattle support as he was loudly booed when he was introduced and every touch on the ball.
But the game wasn’t just about Mullan, it was about too sides looking to get back to winning was as the Sounders were coming off a 0-0 draw with DC and the Rapids coming off a 2-0 loss to RSL.
It was a lively start to the game with Seattle nearly opening the scoring after 5 minutes but only to see Montero’s effort parried away by a defiant Pickens.
After a sloppy pass from Wynne found its way to the feet of Estrada, he threaded a pass into the area for Montero to turn and open up his body for the shot but it was saved and pushed away by Pickens to ease the pressure.
Moments later Scott nearly found himself on the score sheet as a great free kick by debutant Alex Caskey found its way to him for a free header but it sailed just wide of the up right.
It was then the turn of the Rapids to bring the pressure and they were gifted a great opportunity as Scott let a looping ball bounce and Casico pounced on the chance but was met by the oncoming Gspurning and ballooned his shot over the bar.
Seattle fans must have thought Mullan had rubbed salt into the wounds as he taped in a rebounded shot, but was denied by the officials flag which caught him offside.
After some great work by Cummings to win the ball back in midfield, he then took on the Sounders defence and worked his way through to give himself enough space to get away the shot. This was met by a diving Gspurning, but he parried the ball into the oncoming Mullan who thought he had opened the scoring, but in fact had strayed offside in the mean time.
Seattle then started to press for the opening after the break and nearly broke the deadlock after a couple of chances from Montero, who was looking for his first goal of the season.
His first chance saw a free kick from 30 yards sail just past the post and to the relief of the scrambling Pickens. The second then saw some great individual play from Caskey whos shot was deflected into the path of Montero who found some space and got away the shot, which could only be parried out of play.
From the resulting corner Seattle found the breakthrough in the 62nd minute and it came from Scott who bagged his first goal in his MLS career, as Caskey’s corner was met by the head of Scott at the near post and found its way across the face of the goal and into the far side.
The Rapids then tried pushing for an equaliser, but their efforts were in vain as the Sounders managed to hold onto their one goal advantage and see out the game for the victory.
In a game which was thought to be full of emotion, there wasn’t any signs of it until the dying minutes of the match when a few silly challenges were made, but all in all the players kept the game focused on the now and not the issues of the past.
Seattle now head back on the road to face Chicago in two weeks time, hoping to carry on their winning ways.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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