Sounders reserves defeat Earthquakes 3-0

The Sounders FC concluded the 2012 MLS reserve league with a 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. The reserves finished the season with a 4-5-1 record.

TUKWILA, Wash. - David Estrada scored a goal and assist as Seattle Sounders FC (4-5-1, 13 points) beat the San Jose Earthquakes (5-3-2, 17 points), 3-0, in the MLS Reserve League at Starfire Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Estrada opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Alex Caskey ran onto the ball on the left flank, beat his defender and sent a cross to the middle of the box. Estrada out-jumped his defender and beat the keeper with a strong header inside the post.

The second goal sequence began with a backheel from Estrada. After a combination at the top of the box, Estrada found Michael Seamon on the right side, who sent a cross to the box where Mario Martinez hit a powerful header just under the crossbar for his first goal for Sounders FC.

The third and final goal came in the 79th minute from Alex Caskey. Marc Burch sent a hard low cross in front of goal from the left flank that was deflected to Caskey, who powered to past David Bingham with his right foot.

Seattle had two other dangerous scoring opportunities in the first half. In the 22nd minute, Burch sent a 25-yard free kick toward the near post that Bingham dived to save. Five minutes later, Andy Rose found Martinez at the top of the box but his bending shot was tipped away by Bingham.

San Jose's attack created several chances in the second half, beginning with a free kick from Khari Stephenson that Andrew Weber saved. In the 56th minute, Salvador Sassoon's shot from six yards out was also stopped by Weber.

Seattle outshot San Jose, 13-10 (6-3 on goal), and both sides earned six corner kicks.

Seattle's five home MLS Reserve League matches raised a total of $9,781.59 for the club's charity partners.

The match was the final MLS Reserve League game of the season for both teams.