Sounders vs. Earthquakes: Oba Martins' golazo lifts Seattle

That goal.

When all is said and done and we're on our rocking chairs many years from now, we'll still remember that goal.

Obafemi Martins got his Sounders World Cup off to an excellent start with an 8th minute goal, which--agonizingly--turned out to be the game-winner against a depleted San Jose squad.

With the victory, Seattle nips back ahead of Real Salt Lake (who were 2-1 winners against Colorado) on points for the best record in MLS.

I can't speak for anyone else, but that was a nerve-wracking match to watch. The Sounders controlled the match from a defensive standpoint--San Jose's patchwork front line of Atiba Harris and Billy Schuler failed to create anything dangerous. However, without Clint Dempsey pulling the strings, a second goal to put the match away never materialized.

Jon Busch made several saves in the San Jose net to keep his team in position to steal a point, including two saves on Lamar Neagle, while another late opportunity by Ozzie Alonso also came up empty.

If the Quakes were going to score, you got the feeling it was going to come through Khari Stephenson in the midfield. Sure enough, Stephenson had his chance in stoppage time, but Stefan Frei was able to gobble up his opponents' only shot on goal.

In all, a shutout and three points are an ideal tonic after last weekend's 5-0 drubbing in Massachusetts. However, another goal would have allowed the 49,746 fans to sit a little more comfortably in their seats.