SEATTLE–Lamar Neagle, Obafemi Martins and Leo Gonzalez all scored in the second half to lead the Sounders to a resounding 3-0 win over an under-manned FC Dallas (6-4-4, 22 points). The Sounders’ (9-4-2, 29 points) win allowed them to maintain their top spot in the Western Conference standings.
With the loss, FC Dallas extended their winless streak to five (0-3-2) and failed to score for the third straight match. Seattle keeper Stefan Frei’s whitewash gave him a league-leading eight shutouts.
Seattle struck first after FC Dallas defenders failed on several clearances in the 55th minute. The poor defensive effort provided Neagle the chance to send his right-footed volley past a diving Dan Kennedy and notch his third goal of the year.
On a 73rd minute corner kick from Tyrone Mears, second-half sub Martins received a high-lofted kick from Andy Rose near the goal. He maneuvered around FC Dallas midfielder Kyle Bekker and struck his shot past the Dallas keeper for his seventh of the year to double Seattle’s lead.
With one minute left in the match, Neagle’s cross found Gonzalez high in the box. The veteran defender nailed his strike high into the net for his first goal of the year and a 3-0 advantage for the home side.
The visitors dominated a shaky Seattle defense in the first half. At the 28-minute mark, midfielder Fabian Castillo raced between defenders Zach Scott and Dylan Remick inside the box. His shot bounced off the right post.
Three minutes later Bekker appeared to have an open net inside the six-yard area. Frei made an outstanding save by extending his right hand to stop the threat. FC Dallas ended the opening half with a 6-2 edge in shots and a 2-0 advantage in shot-on-target.
A total of six players were out for international duty. Seattle was missing Marco Pappa (Guatemala). FC Dallas had five roster players playing for their respective national teams: Tesho Akindele (Canada), Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica), Atiba Harris (St. Kitts and Nevin), Moises Hernandez (Guatemala) and Kellyn Acosta (U.S. U-20).
Thomas, Seattle’s newest acquisition, signed on June 1 and made his first start as an attacking midfielder. Thomas played until the 61st minute before being replaced by Martins. The Brazilian made his Sounders debut in last week’s Sporting Kansas City match as an 80th minute substitute.
The Sounders next play on Tuesday against the Portland Timbers in a U.S. Open Cup clash. FC Dallas travels to Colorado for a Friday night matchup against the Rapids.
