Two late goals get Sounders win

SEATTLE – Coach Sigi Schmid believed that his Seattle Sounders controlled the game from the start.

But they had to wait to the 90th minute and beyond before drawing even and then moving ahead in stoppage time for a 2-1 win over CD Olimpia on Wednesday at CenturyLink Field.

The result moves Seattle to the top of CONCACAF Champions League Group F at 1-0-1, followed by Vancouver, 0-0-1 and Olimpia, 0-1-0.

The visitors from Honduras slipped ahead in the fifth minute, when Oscar Salas sent a long diagonal chip to the front of the Seattle goal, where forward Alberth Elis headed it past goalie Troy Perkins.

The Sounders answered with chances. But shots by Aaron Kovar, Thomas and Jimmy Ockford all were handled by Olimpia goalkeeper Noel Vallarde, and another solid chance by Kovar banged off the bottom of the post. In the second half, Neagle sent a header just off frame after a long pass from Gonzalo Pineda. In the 77th minute, Kovar hit the post again, this time with a free kick.

Then with the final whistle ticking ever closer, the Sounders’ fortunes changed.

Erik Friberg finally broke through with an equalizing header in the 90th minute.

Then, deep into stoppage time Dylan Remick was fouled in the penalty area. And after some internal debate among the Sounders, Brad Evans went to the penalty spot and knocked home the winner.

Seattle survived with a reserve-heavy lineup with rookie Darwin Jones getting his first start up front and No. 2 goalkeeper Perkins in the back.

Pappa cleard to return

Before the match, the Sounders announced that midfielder Marco Pappa had completed MLS’ Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, and has been cleared to rejoin the club and is cleared by MLS to resume team activities.