Dempsey returns but Sounders lose again

SEATTLE – Pa-Modou Kah surpassed his MLS career goal total by scoring twice and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Seattle Sounders 3-0 on Saturday night, spoiling the return of Clint Dempsey after more than a month away from the club.

Kah volleyed his first goal past goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the sixth minute off a scramble in the penalty area. He added a second in the opening moments of the second half, redirecting Cristian Techera’s shot with a deft back-heel.

Kah entered the match with one career MLS goal in 57 games.

Pedro Morales added his fourth goal of the season in the 75th minute with a curling free kick.

The Whitecaps (12-8-3) won their second straight and for the fifth time in eight matches, temporarily moving to the top of the Western Conference standings ahead of FC Dallas. Seattle dropped to 10-11-2.

It was the first of four matchups between the Whitecaps and Sounders over the next two months, including a league match on Sept. 19 in Vancouver and two meeting in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. The first of those comes Wednesday night in Vancouver.

Seattle lost its fourth straight match and for the eighth time in 10 matches, continuing its tumble from the top of the Western Conference that coincided with Dempsey’s suspension and duties with the U.S. national team in the Gold Cup. Seattle has been shutout in its past four matches, the longest scoreless streak in franchise history. Dempsey played in an MLS game for the first time since June 13. It was his first match with the Sounders since June 16 when he was given a red card in a U.S. Open Cup loss to Portland.