Photos by Max Aquino & Chris Walters, captions by Anna Ferkingstad
After falling 1-0 last weekend at Sporting KC, conference-leading Seattle hosted fifth place FC Dallas Saturday evening at CenturyLink Field. The two sides had met only once previously this season, which resulted in the first match in MLS history to not feature a shot on target.
Brazilian midfielder Thomas made his full debut for Seattle, logging a relatively quiet 60 minutes on the left wing. HIs best moment came early in the first half, when he nutmegged a Dallas defender and created a half chance.
Sloppy mistakes from Seattle in possession allowed Dallas to control the speed of play in the opening 25 minutes. Gonzalo Pineda and Michael Azira lacked cohesion in the midfield, creating gaps for Dallas playmakers Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz.
At the conclusion of the 45 minutes, possession was split at 51% Seattle and 49% Dallas. The numbers, however, do not tell the full story with Dallas holding the majority (if not all) of the potent chances.
The Sounders were lucky to not enter halftime with a goal deficit, after Stefan Frei’s diving save in the 31st minute denied a Kyle Bekker attempt from no more than eight yards. Fabian Castillo also saw a close range effort rebound off the outside of the near post.
A halftime substitution of Brad Evans for Gonzalo Pineda immediately changed the momentum of the game, giving Seattle control of the pace and the ability to quickly transition forward.
Neagle grabbed his 3rd goal of the season in the 55th minute after a sliding assist from Evans. The recent USMNT cap winner left his feet to challenge the ball just outside of the Dallas penalty area, deflecting it to Lamar Neagle who took a touch and let fly. The shot flew past Dan Kennedy and into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give Seattle the 1-0 lead and solidify the shift in energy seen in the Sounders attack.
Obafemi Martins entered the match in the 61st minute for Thomas, dawning a face mask following his nasal surgery two weeks prior. The substitution offered creativity and fresh legs to Seattle’s front line that continued to hound Dallas after Neagle’s goal. Martins’ off the ball movement was finally rewarded on 73 minutes. Andy Rose volleyed a cleared corner from twenty yards out, looping it to Martins. The Nigerian showed tremendous strength to turn, hold off his defender, and put the game out of reach with a firm strike low to the near post.
Seattle solidified their 3 points with a third goal from substitute Leo Gonzalez in stoppage time. The Costa Rican played the role of human victory cigar for the raucous crowd of 41,108. His first goal since a stunning volley in 2010, Gonzalez had a wide open shot following a slicing low cross from Neagle. It was his second goal in six seasons with the club.
In the end, a valiant effort from Dallas but just too much quality from Seattle. Despite a domineering first 45, the Hoops ultimately were unable to capitalize on their chances and succumbed to a deadly Sounders strike force.
