Sounders earn first MLS win of 2013 behind Obafemi Martins goal

It took a month and a half. It took a fortuitous rebound. It took a Designated Player to finish the goal. Earlier in 2013 that would be rare. But today Obafemi Martins saw the ball drop at his feet, put a simple touch on the ball and then capitalize on the Colorado Rapids poor positioning and casually slotted it home. There were better scoring opportunities that were left unconverted - whether on the season or the match.

I don't care.

In a sequence that built up through wide play, a layoff to a streaking Shalrie Joseph with a good shot it was the poacher that scored. Seattle Sounders FC's past poachers were players like Roger Levesque, Sammy Ochoa and Brad Evans. Today it took a DP.

Goals are rather fickle. Fickle, expensive, excellent, amazing goals.

Seattle would apply higher pressure, but like many of the times they did so it was likely due to roster choices. With Lamar Neagle and Brad Evans in attacking roles there was always going to be more defense than an EJ/Kartinez lineup. They did well applying pressure. At home Colorado would be pressured and make mistakes that allowed Seattle to start transitions in more threatening places. None wound up as goals. That does not mean that the tactic failed.

Both sides were relatively ineffective in the final third - neither passed well, neither shot well. Oba scored. Colorado did not. The Sounders had more opportunities in that third, but the Rapids created more chances. That is not a change. The score was the change.

THE SCORE FEELS GOOD.

It was another match where Seattle played ever so slightly better. Slightly better was enough on a Saturday afternoon at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Slightly better was good for three points. It was not enough to move into a Playoff position. That road is long. This is merely a first step. There are many more to come. More failure is on the way. So is more success.

THREE POINTS - A GOAL