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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Dempsey, Martins Combine to Lift Sounders FC to 2-1 Win

September 6, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH. - A scrappy performance from Seattle Sounders FC (13-13-2, 41 points) secured a 2-1 win over visiting Toronto FC (11-11-4, 37 points) in front of a rain-soaked crowd of 39,960 on Saturday night at CenturyLink Field. With the victory, Seattle has now won three of four matches in MLS play, moving the Rave Green into third place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference. Both Seattle goals were created by the frontline combination of Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey, with the two Designated Players starting alongside one another for the first time since May 31.

Seattle wasted little time to establish an early lead, as strike partners Dempsey and Martins combined to put the home side up 1-0 in the sixth minute of play. Starting his first match for Sounders FC since August 1 due to a hamstring injury, Dempsey played Martins into Toronto's 18-yard-box, keeping the Nigerian just onside. Martins slotted a shot past TFC netminder Chris Konopka to record his team-leading 11th strike of 2015.

Preserving its 1-0 lead through halftime, Seattle conceded an equalizer to TFC in the 59th minute, as former Sounders FC defender Eriq Zavaleta headed home his first goal of the season. Fellow defender Ashtone Morgan provided the cross, leveling the score at one apiece.

It was Dempsey and Martins who helped Sounders FC retake the lead, with the latter sprinting down the right flank to create a one-on-one opportunity at the top of Toronto's area with Konopka. The TFC goalkeeper came off his line to greet the challenge, creating a loose ball that Dempsey redirected into the back of Konopka's net. The goal was Dempsey's eighth tally of the year.

Sounders FC Assistant Coach Brian Schmetzer patrolled the sideline for the Rave Green on Saturday evening, with Head Coach Sigi Schmid absent due to a heath-related issue. Schmid is expected to return to Seattle training next week and resume his duties.

Sounders FC looks to win its third consecutive match next weekend in San Jose, with the Rave Green visiting newly constructed Avaya Stadium for the first time on Saturday, September 12 (7:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). With only six matches remaining in the regular season for Seattle, and San Jose trailing the Rave Green by three points with a game in-hand, Saturday's match is a key fixture in the race for the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.

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