The Seattle Sounders FC started the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League on a positive note, defeating Guatemala's Comunicaciones 4-1 on August 16.
Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid's decision to rest veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller against Comunicaciones came as a surprise to many fans. Terry Boss, who replaced Keller as the Sounders FC's starting goalkeeper, quickly lost the faith of Seattle soccer fans, when he let one in two minutes into the game. The Sounders FC managed to score a goal in the 35 minute, when Brad Evans headed the ball into the post.
Things started looking bad for the Sounders FC early in the second half, when Lamar Neagle was ejected from the game for a hard tackle.
Surprisingly, Seattle played even better down a man, taking the lead shortly after Neagle's ejection. Mike Fucito corralled a pass from Freddy Montero, and finished it off with a well placed shot.
Fucito struck again six minutes later, scoring his second goal of the game. The Sounders FC also got some help from Comunicaciones defender Rigoberto Gomez who knocked in an own-goal in the 87th minute.
"We're pleased with the victory." Schmid told reporters after the game. "In this tournament you have to win home games. It was nice to be able to start off the tournament at home. I thought our team showed a lot of character to come back again from 1-0. Being 1-1 and having a player ejected and playing a man down and being able to score two goals showed a little bit more."
The Sounders FC couldn't have asked for a better start to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, and they'll hope to build on their performance when they face the defending champions, Mexico's Monterrey on August 23. Seattle won't have the luxury of playing at home next time around, and they'll be going against considerably tougher competition.
For now, Seattle will need to focus on Dallas FC who they'll face on August 20. With only a point separating the two teams apart in the MLS Western Conference table, the Sounders can regain the second spot in the west with a win on Saturday.
David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 2 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Sounders FC 4, Comunicaciones 1, quotes and stats" SeattleTimes.com
MLSSoccer.com, "Seattle Sounders vs. Comunicaciones recap"
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