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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Busy Sounders win another one

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Perhaps the busiest week in Sounders FC history came to a close Saturday night with a 1-0 road win against San Jose.

Culminating a seven-day stretch that has seen three games, the resignation of CEO Tod Leiweke, the signing of designated player Alvaro Fernandez and the trade of DP Freddie Ljungberg, Seattle (7-8-4) protected a first-half goal by Fredy Montero for three valuable points in front of 10,351 fans at Buck Shaw Stadium.

The win improved a pair of streaks for Sounders FC – four straight MLS games without a loss, six in a row in all competitions. Seattle also jumped to fourth in the Western Conference and sixth overall in total points.

San Jose (6-5-5) had its four-game unbeaten streak in MLS games snapped.

In an entertaining first half filled with attacking soccer, Seattle took the lead in the 26th minute when midfielder Sanna Nyassi collected a pass from Montero on the right wing and swung in a perfect cross in front of the goal to the Colombian forward for the tap-in header.

It was Montero’s eighth-straight MLS game with a goal or assist. He has been directly involved in 12 of the last 15 Sounders goals.

Seattle controlled most of the action in the second half, despite the pressing efforts of the Earthquakes.

Fernandez, who was added to the active roster Friday taking the place of Ljungberg, made his debut in the 69th minute replacing Steve Zakuani.