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Entering the match Seattle Sounders FC was looking for confidence. The attack wasn't working. There was a lack of width. Oba and Clint didn't have the vibe that they had. After the 4-2 victory over the Portland Timbers all seems right for Seattle Sounders FC. Even the two goals against seem harmless in game with such a rapid pace. The Rave Green donned black and won 4-2 on the road. They are again at the top of the table with a game(s) in hand versus their competition.
It started early with a Yedlin and Evans interchange. That released Brad Evans bursting down the line. His low cross was perfectly placed for an Obafemi Martins tap-in goal. Then Oba flipped. It was a 14-pass sequence for the side.
Looked like this. RT @MLSAnalyst: 14-pass sequence on Martins' goal from Seattle. pic.twitter.com/ylW5RKxOYk
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) August 24, 2014
There was some reason to worry. Portland responded with a peppering of shots, some effective, but the defense held. Both Timbers CBs earned yellow. The stage now set for Seattle's central moves to take effect and they did. On a clearance Seattle started a break.
Obafemi Martins sprinted with the ball and released it to Clint Dempsey who had little power but still scored. When the sequence started Clint was on the post. When the sequence ended he's scored from about 10 yards out. It took place in mere seconds.
Sounders FC rocked the confidence. They needed great defensive moments from Scott and Frei to maintain the shutout entering the half. They never wearied.
Sigi Schmid's first sub entered in the 63rd minute. Chad Barrett added more direct play, more defensive action and in the 70th minute scored his 3rd goal in 3 straight MLS games.
Cruise control turned on and there were a few issues. Fenando Adi created issues against a defense that sat on yellows. Zakuani's ball control also created some trouble for a Sounders team that was a touch tired. Portland did managed to score two "No Pity" goals in their 4-2 loss. Oba scored the 4th for Seattle in a stumbling, bumbling, Chris Berman-esque fashion.
The Hydra is back. Sounders FC sit atop the Supporters' Shield. It feels good to be a Sounder.