SEATTLE — The Seattle Sounders started the season by digging themselves into an 0-3 hole.
Saturday, in their ninth game, they climbed their way back to even with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at CenturyLink Field.
Like all of even their positive results this season, nothing came easily and style points were few. This time they benefitted from a couple of friendly bounces off of posts, including one on a penalty kick Chris Wondolowski missed for San Jose.
But the Sounders also know some bounces went against them during their rough start, so they’re fine with things evening out a bit during the current turnaround.
“We’re happy with the win,” coach Sigi Schmid said. “The objective of this homestand was to get six points, and to get six points and to get two wins and to start climbing the ladder again, which we were able to do. You’ve always got to have a little bit of fortune, so when Wando missed the penalty — hit the post — but (goalkeeper Stefan) Frei had saved the last one, maybe that was in Wando’s mind. I thought at times tonight our soccer was as good as it has been this season.”
Between the fortunate and the hard-earned, the Sounders somehow find themselves one of Major League Soccer’s hottest teams, 4-1-1 over their last six matches.
And on Saturday, the guys who made the difference were the guys who were signed to be difference-makers. Goals from designated player Clint Dempsey and homegrown Jordan Morris and newly healthy Erik Friberg serving as the straw that stirs the drink in the middle of the pick.
Frei made the only save he was called upon to make, as the woodwork cleared up a couple of other threats from the Quakes (4-3-3).
Dempsey provided the opening goal in the 36th minute, his second of the season. The play began with Aaron Kovar muscling a ball out of the corner to Morris, Morris touched it on to Friberg. He carried toward the end line before crossing it back to Dempsey, who finished from 8 yards.
Morris provided the insurance in the 89th minute running onto a ball in space and smacking it in from the top of the box. That ran his goal-scoring streak to four games, tying a Major League Soccer rookie record. Four goals also ties the club’s rookie goals record set by Steve Zakuani in 2009.
“I thought we played very dangerous when we were effective,” Schmid said. “We had the lead in the game deservedly. It was a good goal. Great to see Jordan get a goal as well. There were bits and pieces where it still needs to get better from us, but there were also some pieces tonight I thought were very good.”
The Sounders continue on in the Western Conference next weekend when they visit FC Dallas.
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