Sounders win CONCACAF match

SEATTLE – Mike Fucito scored two short-handed goals in the second half and the Seattle Sounders beat Comunicaciones of Guatemala 4-1 in CONCACAF Champions League group play on Tuesday night.

Fucito put the Sounders in front in the 61st minute when he took a pass from Fredy Montero and sent a shallow shot across the goalmouth and just inside the far post.

Just 6 minutes later, Fucito extended the lead to 3-1. Alvaro Fernandez sent a long pass down the left side and Fucito went around a Comunicaciones defender and drilled it into the far corner.

Seattle’s fourth score was an own goal in the 87th minute. Juan Arreola scored 81 seconds into the game for Comunicaciones.

Brad Evans tied it for Seattle midway through the 35th minute.

The Sounders were down to 10 men after midfielder Lamar Neagle received a red card late in the 55th minute for sending Comunicaciones midfielder Juan Marquez hard to the ground.

Comunicaciones also finished down a man when Edgard Martinez got a red card in the 80th minute for a hard foul.

Fucito has five goals and one assist in his last five CONCACAF Champions League games. Three of those goals came last year when Seattle won just one of its six group play games.

The Sounders, third place in the Western Conference, return to MLS play on Saturday at Dallas, which leads Seattle by one point.