MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 1 vs. D.C. United 0
Goal-scorers: Tyrone Mears (88’)
Site: CenturyLink Field
Man of the Match: Tyrone Mears ignited the sellout crowd at CenturyLink Field by scoring his first MLS goal and breaking the scoreless tie late in the second half. The ball made its way across the pitch to Mears after a cross from fellow outside back Dylan Remick, and Mears buried a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box. It was just the latest example of why the veteran was a crucial offseason pickup for the Rave Green.
Telling Stat: After Fabian Espindola was shown a red card in the 27th minute, the Sounders were in control of the match as D.C. United played with 10 men. Seattle had been outshot in seven straight games coming into this one, but the club took 16 shots on Friday to United’s 10. Sounders FC also dominated in possession, owning 70 percent of it.
What You Missed: Designated Player Osvaldo Alonso returned to the lineup on Friday after missing five games with a hamstring injury. He played in the central midfield with Gonzalo Pineda and Cristian Roldan, as the Rave Green applied a 4-5-1 formation.
Troy Perkins entered Friday’s match just before halftime, marking his MLS debut with Sounders FC and the first time Stefan Frei hasn’t been on the pitch during the last two seasons. Frei had played 4,725 consecutive minutes of MLS action before leaving Friday’s match due to injury.
So What: Sounders FC snapped its three-game losing streak and is once again atop the Western Conference standings after its win over Supporters’ Shield-leading D.C. Seattle will now play three straight games against teams that are near the bottom of the league table, starting with a match at the Chicago Fire next Saturday.
