Dempsey’s goal gives Sounders first win of season

SEATTLE – Clint Dempsey scored off a header in the 79th minute and the Seattle Sounders beat the Montreal Impact 1-0 on Saturday night, becoming the final MLS team to earn a point this season.

Seattle (1-3-0) was on the verge of going winless in its first four matches – three of those at home – until Dempsey picked up his first goal of the season. The goal came off a corner kick from Andreas Ivanschitz, catching Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush too far off his line and Dempsey was able to come free at the back post.

It was just the third goal of the season for Seattle. The lack of scoring from Seattle’s offensive stars has been one of the early surprises in the first month of the season.

On Tuesday, Dempsey scored for the U.S. in its World Cup qualifying victory over Guatemala, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying for the U.S.

Montreal (2-2-0) started the night tied for the lead in the Eastern Conference, but lost its second straight and struggled to break down Seattle’s defense with forward Didier Drogba not making the trip to play on Seattle’s artificial surface. The Impact had 11 shots but only four forced Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei to make a save.

Seattle altered its lineup for the first time this season bringing Jordan Morris off the bench after spending the previous two weeks with the U.S. under-23 team in their failed attempt to qualify for the Olympics. Seattle also rested defender Joevin Jones after a stint with Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifying. Jones played the final 15 minutes after an injury to Dylan Remick.

With Morris resting, Seattle went with Aaron Kovar up top with Nelson Valdez and Dempsey but the trio was unable to create many chances. Until Dempsey’s goal, the best opportunity for Seattle came in the opening seconds of the match when Valdez raced onto a loose ball in the penalty area, only to see the shot saved by Bush.