Seattle

Dempsey brace leads Sounders FC to 3-0 opening-match victory over New England

Team vs NE 150308

SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC opened its 2015 MLS campaign on the Xbox Pitch and CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening, defeating reigning Eastern Conference champion New England by a final score of 3-0. The 39,782 fans in attendance - Seattle's 108th consecutive MLS sellout - witnessed two goals from forward Clint Dempsey and a third strike from Obafemi Martins.



Seattle (1-0-0, 3 points) began the scoring in the 25th minute with a penalty kick goal from Dempsey. The Designated Player drew the spot-kick after receiving a corner from Marco Pappa inside the Revolution's area, before being fouled by a New England player. Dempsey slotted home the penalty into the top right corner of the net, making him three-for-three in penalty kick attempts for Sounders FC.


Seattle's second goal came in the 41st minute on a header from Martins. Micheal Azira found Pappa, who brought the ball across midfield to Dempsey. Dempsey sent a through ball to Tyrone Mears on the right flank, and the English defender sent the cross to Martins in the middle of the area. Sounders FC is now 20-0-0 in matches in which Martins scores a goal, while Mears recorded his first MLS assist.


Dempsey - in his 100th career MLS start - completed his brace in the 67th minute to make the score 3-0. Combination play began when Marco Pappa slotted a weighted through ball to a streaking Martins, who flanked New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth alongside Dempsey for a two-on-one advantage. As Shuttleworth rushed toward the ball, Martins found Dempsey on the other side of the 18-yard-box for an easy tap-in. Dempsey is now fifth all-time in club history with 18 goals.


Sounders FC returns to MLS action on Saturday, March 14 against the San Jose Earthquakes on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (7:00 p.m. PT / Q13).


MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 3 - New England 0
Sunday, March 8, 2015


Venue: Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field
Referee:Juan Guzman
Assistants: Peter Manikowski, Corey Parker
Fourth Official: Corey Parker
Attendance: 39,782
Weather: Clear and 54 degrees


SCORING SUMMARY

SEA - Clint Dempsey (penalty) 25'
SEA - Obafemi Martins (Tyrone Mears, Clint Dempsey) 41'
SEA - Clint Dempsey (Marco Pappa, Obafemi Martins) 67'


MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

NE - Jose Goncalves (caution) 73'


LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears, Brad Evans-C, Chad Marshall, Leo Gonzalez; Lamar Neagle (Andy Rose, 83'), Micheal Azira, Gonzalo Pineda (Cristian Roldan, 90+'), Marco Pappa (Aaron Kovar 90'); Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins


Substitutes not used:Troy Perkins, Chad Barrett, Dylan Remick, Zach Scott


Total shots:6 (Clint Dempsey, 4)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Clint Dempsey, 2)
Fouls:16 (5 tied at 1)
Offside:1 (Brad Evans, 4)
Corner-kicks:8 (Marco Pappa, 5)
Saves:1 (Stefan Frei, 1)


New England Revolution - Bobby Shuttleworth; Kevin Alston, Jose Goncalves-C, Andrew Farrell, Chris Tierney; Andy Dorman (Daigo Kobayashi, 57'), Scott Caldwell, Diego Fagundez (Steve Neumann, 77'), Juan Agudelo (Sean Okoli, 68'); Teal Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe

Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Darrius Barnes, Charlie Davies, London Woodberry


Total shots:8 (2 tied at 2)
Shots on goal:1 (Kelyn Rowe, 1)
Fouls:14 (Juan Agudelo, 4)
Offside: 1 (Juan Agudelo, 1)
Corner-kicks:6 (Kelyn Rowe, 4)
Saves:0 (None)

2025 Season Memberships

2025 Season Memberships

Join Sounders FC for an unforgettable year. Unlock exclusive perks and be part of the action as we enter a new era. Includes 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Ticket access. 2025 Season Memberships are on sale now!

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

The biggest club soccer event in history is coming to Seattle. And we're playing in it.

Single Match Tickets Available Now

Single Match Tickets Available Now

Grab your tickets and celebrate our 50th Anniversary Season!