Dempsey makes debut

TORONTO – Mauro Rosales scored in the first half and the Seattle Sounders hung on to beat Toronto FC 2-1 on Saturday.

The game was the Sounders debut for star American forward Clint Dempsey. Dempsey (pictured) was called in with 11 minutes remaining in the first half after starting forward Obafemi Martins was taken off following a rough tackle by defender Doneil Henry.

The other goal for the Sounders (10-7-4) came on an own goal by Henry.

Jonathan Osorio’s fifth goal of the season early in the second half was the lone goal for Toronto (4-11-8).

Seattle’s opening goal came in the 16th minute as it took advantage of some slack Toronto marking.

Eddie Johnson ran onto a cross from the left side and headed the ball across the goal where there were three green Seattle shirts waiting with no Toronto players in sight. Rosales had ample time to chase the ball, get his left foot on it and angle a shot past goalkeeper Joe Bendik.

Seattle doubled its advantage with five minutes remaining in the half when Lamar Neagle fed a cross in from the left side. Henry took a poke at the ball with his left foot, but could only redirect the ball toward his own goal. With Bendik wrong-footed, the ball rolled into the goal. – AP