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

Sounders’ two first-half goals stand up for win

SEATTLE – Steve Zakuani scored and helped set up Osvaldo Alonso’s goal to help the Seattle Sounders beat Chivas USA 2-1 Friday night.

The victory was a franchise-record fifth MLS win in a row for the Sounders, and tied Real Salt Lake for the longest in the league this season.

Seattle, which already has clinched its second straight playoff spot, remained fourth in the Western Conference with 48 points, one behind FC Dallas.

Jesus Padilla scored a second-half stoppage-time goal for Chivas which has 28 points and has been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in five seasons.

Zakuani’s goal in the ninth minute was his 10th of the year, tying him with Fredy Montero for the team lead. Alonso scored his first of the year in the 25th.

The Sounders had never scored against Chivas in four previous regular season MLS games.

Zakuani took care of that in the ninth minute.

Defender Jeff Parke, playing between the center circle and the top of the penalty area, pushed the ball forward to Zakuani. He took it between two defenders, around a third, then got around the left side of goalkeeper Zach Thornton, who had come way off his line. Zakuani fired into a wide-open net from 12 yards away on the right side.

Near the end of the 25th minute, Montero started the play that led to Seattle’s second goal. Montero took the ball into the left side of the box and tapped ahead to Zakuani, to took it all the way to the goal line. Zakuani sent it across the goalmouth, and it landed on the foot of Alonso, who sent it into the back right corner.

For Chivas, Padilla headed in a cross from Rodolfo Esponoza two minutes into the three minutes of stoppage time.