Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Seattle Sounders FC tuned up for the U.S. Open
Cup final with an impressive win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.
Eddie Johnson scored his 10th goal this season, Fredy Montero scored a magical
half-volley, and Alex Caskey and Andy Rose added the first of their careers as
Seattle crushed Los Angeles, 4-0, in front of 60,908 at CenturyLink Field.
Seattle, which is third in the Western Conference of MLS, climbed within seven
points of the San Jose Earthquakes for first place in the standings.
The Sounders (10-5-7) will now shift focus to the Open Cup final on Wednesday.
Seattle, the three-time defending champions, visits Sporting Kansas City for a
9 p.m. (ET) kickoff at Livestrong Sporting Park.
Los Angeles (10-11-3) had won four times during a five-game undefeated streak,
but remained 11 points off the top in fifth place after the loss.
Johnson delighted the huge crowd with the opening goal less than six minutes
into the match. Mauro Rosales delivered a pass from the right side to the near
post and Johnson turned a header inside the far post.
Montero added his goal early after half as he ran onto a loose ball in the box
and hit a half-volley with his momentum taking him toward the sideline back to
the near post in the 52nd. It was his sixth goal of the season.
Caskey scored his goal from 35 yards, as he capitalized with Galaxy goalkeeper
Josh Saunders off his line following a challenge on Johnson in the 61st. Rose
added his first career goal in the 88th with a finish at the right post.
After the Open Cup final, Seattle visits San Jose on Saturday for a huge clash
in MLS. The Galaxy will play at Chivas USA on Sunday, although the teams share
The Home Depot Center.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network