SEATTLE — Kevin Doyle’s late game winner extended the Rapids’ (5-6-9, 24 pts) winning streak to three games as they defeated the Seattle Sounders (10-8-2, 32 pts) 1-0 on a treacherous playing surface.
Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni recorded his first win ever over the Sounders and the franchise’s first away win against the Sounders. Keeper Clint Irwin recorded his seventh shutout of the year.
In the 84th minute, Doyle received a long pass from Jared Watts and outmaneuvered Sounders FC defenders Zach Scott and Chad Marshall. The Colorado forward unleashed a shot into the far post past a diving Troy Perkins and a 1-0 lead.
The loss was Seattle’s fifth loss in six matches as their scoring woes continued. In that stretch, the Sounders have scored a total of two goals.
Goals were at a premium in a match where both sides were missing their top scorers and featured two of the stingiest defenses in the league.
Playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup were Clint Dempsey (seven goals) and the Rapids’ Gabriel Torres (four goals). Seattle’s other scoring threat Obafemi Martins (seven goals) continues to recuperate from a tibial contusion. Both teams had given up 19 goals apiece prior to this match, or tied for second in MLS behind D.C. United’s 18.
Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid decided to play three forwards in his starting lineup to jumpstart his offense. He installed Thomas and Cristian Roldan to play with Neagle up front and sat out Chad Barrett.
Thomas nearly rewarded Schmid’s move with two chances early in each half. At the start of the match, Colorado keeper Clint Irwin reached high into the air to deflect the Brazilian’s point-blank shot over the crossbar. Thomas appeared to have an opening inside the near post in the 50th minute until Irwin’s positioning closed the gap.
The match was played on temporary grass field placed atop the CenturyLink Field artificial turf for the Manchester United and Club America exhibition matchup the previous night. Numerous players kept falling and sliding throughout the game. It played a role in a leg injury suffered by Colorado midfielder Lucas Pittinari in the 26th minute after he lost his footing on the new sod.
The Sounders next head to Montreal for Saturday evening clash against the Impact. Colorado takes a week off from MLS play and returns to action on August 1 against the LA Galaxy.
