The Sounders got their preseason off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
TUCSON, Ariz. - Obafemi Martins scored twice in the first half as Seattle Sounders FC beat the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, in the first match of the 2014 preseason at Kino Sports Complex on Wednesday morning.
Martins and Andy Rose connected for two goals in a two minute span in the first half. In the 27th minute, Rose contested for a throw-in that fell to Martins, who tapped it in for the game's opening goal.
Two minutes later, Dylan Remick sent in a cross from the left side to the far post, where Rose headed it back in front of goal for Martins, who nodded it into the back of the net to put Seattle up, 2-0.
San Jose pulled on goal back in the 86th minute when Atiba Harris found Mike Fucito in the box, who turned and beat Frei to the far post.
Sounders FC nearly added a third tally in the final moments of the first half when Martins found Tristan Bowen streaking down the right flank. Bowen's shot from the right side of the box rolled just wide of the far post.
Seattle's first chance of the match came in the 14th minute when Martins took a hard pass, spun and nearly flicked the ball to the far corner of the frame.
The Earthquakes had a dangerous free kick opportunity in the 24th minute when Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi flicked a header on goal that was saved by Stefan Frei. In his first appearance for Sounders FC, Frei allowed one goal in 90 minutes.
Seattle used 10 new field players to start the second half, along with Frei in goal. In the 67th minute, Long Tan spun his defender in the box and blasted a shot that barely missed the near post.
Just minutes later, a bouncing ball fell to Michael Azira who struck a half-volley from 30-yard out that hit the post and rolled out for a throw-in.
Seattle will continue its preseason competition schedule on Thursday with a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz. Kickoff is set for 10:30 a.m. PT and fans are encouraged to follow @LiveSounders on Twitter for live updates.
Scoring Summary:
SEA - Obafemi Martins (Andy Rose, Jalil Anibaba) 27'
SEA - Obafemi Martins (Andy Rose, Dylan Remick) 29'
SJ - Mike Fucito (Atiba Harris) 86'
Seattle Sounders FC
First Half: Stefan Frei, Jalil Anibaba, Chad Marshall, Djimi Traore, Dylan Remick, Tristan Bowen, Osvaldo Alonso, Andy Rose, Lamar Neagle, Kenny Cooper, Obafemi Martins.
Second Half: Stefan Frei, Tarek Morad, Zach Scott, Damion Lowe, Jimmy Ockford, Alex Caskey, Michael Azira, David Estrada, Aaron Kovar, Long Tan, Eriq Zavaleta.
Substitutes Not Used: John McCarthy, Fabio Pereira, Dzenan Catic.
San Jose Earthquakes - David Bingham (Bryan Meredith 46), Jon Otsemobor (Andreas Gorlitz 46), Victor Bernardez (Daniel Welsh 46), Joe Sofia (Ty Harden 46), Shaun Francis (Jordan Stewart 46), Cordell Cato (Atiba Harris 46), Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (JJ Koval), Walter Martinez (Juan Baena 46), Sam Garza (A.J. Corrado 46), Billy Schuler (Mike Fucito 46), Steven Lenhart (Adam Jahn 46).
Substitutes Not Used: Brandon Barklage.
Misconduct Summary:
SJ - Billy Schuler (caution) 2'
SJ - Steven Lenhart (caution) 22'
SJ - Atiba Harris (caution) 51'
SEA - Damion Lowe (caution) 79'
