Álvaro Fernández is a Seattle Sounder once more. The club announced on Thursday that the Uruguayan World Cup veteran will be returning to the squad four years after being traded away to the Chicago Fire. In recognition of the club’s newest signing, we’re counting down the top five MLS goals Fernández scored as a Sounder.
5. New York Red Bulls – July 15, 2012
In his final appearance in Rave Green before being dealt to the Fire, Fernández struck one last time away against a dangerous New York Red Bulls squad. On a play begun by Adam Johansson’s perfectly curled cross, Fernández scored with a sliding volley to give the Sounders the early lead. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with forward Fredy Montero scoring an equalizer in the 67th minute.
4. Philadelphia Union – April 16, 2011
No top five list is complete without a stoppage-time goal and naturally, Fernández has one of those under his belt as well. His first goal of the 2011 season was an equalizer in the 91st minute away in Philadelphia to steal a point. A slick one-two interchange from Montero and forward Steve Zakuani created the chance for Fernández who headed Montero’s cross in off the post for the 1-1 draw.
3. Sporting Kansas City – Oct. 9, 2010
The Sounders were three points away from clinching their second straight playoff berth in as many seasons late in 2010. After midfielder Sanna Nyassi put the Sounders in a favorable position in the 66th, Flaco secured it in the 78th. Assisted by forward Nate Jaqua, Fernández wove his way through two Kansas City defenders into the box and slotted the ball home past goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.
2. Colorado Rapids – July 16, 2011
It was an absolute barnburner at CenturyLink Field against the Colorado Rapids on July, 16 2011. After the Rapids struck in the opening minute of the match, the Sounders came roaring back with a goal from Fernández in the 7th. Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso constructed the chance with a skilled long ball into Flaco who cut it back inside and slammed the ball home while fighting off a defender the entire way. The match finished at a 4-3 score-line in favor of the Sounders.
1. Portland Timbers – May 14, 2011
Who scored the very first goal in the MLS era of the Seattle-Portland rivalry? You guessed it. Fernández lit CenturyLink Field ablaze with his near-post cracker to open the scoring and christen a new era of the best rivalry in MLS. Here’s to more of these goals in Flaco’s second tenure with the Sounders.
