Minnesota Thunder 3 : 1 Seattle Sounders

Three Points Lost as Sanchez Lights up Occasion Ricardo Sanchez was the difference between the sides as his two spectacular second half goals ensured Seattle left Minnesota empty handed. Two Sanchez free kicks in the 56th and 75th minutes sealed Seattle’s fate and it was no more than the 26 year old Mexican or his team mates deserved. Brian Schmetzer rang the changes as no fewer than eight players who started the Portland game were rested from the starting line up. Clearly the Sounders coach had an eye on Tuesday’s date with the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup. For some players this presented a very rare opportunity to play from the start notably goalkeeper Ben Dragavon, defender Adam West and recent recruit forward Kevin Forrest. The season long injury crisis meant that most of the other players had featured fairly prominently already. Sounders had the best of the early exchanges with Hugo Alvaraz-Cuellar’s crosses from the right hand side proving a source of discomfort for the Thunder defenders. It was from one of them that the Sounders opened the lead in the 16th minute. Cuellar found space on the right and his delivery was played on by Andre Schmid, having one of his better games, into the path of Jason Cascio who put the visitors ahead. That seemed to energise Minnesota and the Sounders were back pedaling soon after. In the space of seconds, the fit again Taylor Graham headed off Ben Dragavon’s line, and shortly thereafter the referee ruled out the first of three disallowed efforts in the first half to deny the lively Alen Marcina. Full Report Minnesota Thunder 3 : 1 Seattle Sounders Three Points Lost as Sanchez Lights up Occasion