Chad Barrett scored 30 seconds into second-half stoppage time on a soft touch from Clint Dempsey, lifting the Sounders to a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls Sunday in front of 40,194 at CenturyLink Field. The game-winning goal was originally credited to Dempsey but finally assigned to Barrett, who got his right toe on Dempsey’s shot just as it reached the goal.
The Sounders improved to 8-3-2 and increased their Western Conference-leading point total to 26. Seattle is unbeaten in its past four matches (3-0-1).
The Sounders fell behind 1-0 in the 36th minute when, following a handball on Brad Evans, Lloyd Sam worked his way behind a wall of Seattle defenders on the free kick and headed in a deflection past goalkeeper Stefen Frei. That marked the first goal surrendered by Seattle since May 9 at Columbus, a span of nearly three and a half matches.
The Sounders did little offensively against the Red Bulls in the first half, but had a scoring chance in the 32nd minute when Obafemi Martins got a wide-open look from 18 yards. Martins inexplicably tripped over his own feet and lost the ball.
But in the 69th minute, Marco Pappa notched his second goal of the season on a left-footed shot that sailed just inside the far post.
The Sounders and Red Bulls appeared headed for a draw. But in the first minute of stoppage time, Dempsey began a long run that culminated, following an effective cross by defender Tyrone Mears, with a spectacular left-footed shot near the far post that appeared to be his eighth goal of the season.
Dempsey needed no help in beating Red Bulls’ goalkeeper Luis Robles, but Barrett got his toe on Dempsey’s shot just as it crossed the goal mouth and was subsequently credited with the tip-in. Dempsey received an assist.
The Sounders, 4-3-3 all-time against the Red Bulls, including 3-1 at the Clink, had only three shots on target out of 11 chances overall, despite leading in time of possession, 55.3 percent to 44.7.
Frei faced 13 shots, including five on target, and recorded four saves.
Notes
U.S. Soccer announced at halftime that Sounders captain Brad Evans has been summoned to the U.S. Men’s National Team for a pair of friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany. The 30-year-old Evans has 18 career USMNT caps and was a member of the USA squad ahead of the 2014 World Cup. Evans will miss the Sounders’ next match, at Sporting Kansas City Saturday.
Next
After three consecutive matches at CenturyLink Field, the Sounders travel to the Midwest to face Sporting Kansas City at 5:30 p.m., PT Saturday. Seattle and SKC played to a 0-0 draw at the Clink May 23.
2 Comments
Unlike their next door neighbor, the Sounders were able to protect their home turf and doing so against the Red Bulls makes it even better. Just wish it could have been a shut out. Got used to seeing a zero on the other end of the score the past three games.
Beautiful goal from Pappa while Barrett’s was opportunistic. At least Dempsey was credited with an assist. Very nice cross on that second goal from Mears to set it up, too. All in all, a solid win against a good side.