Final
Estrada's hat trick punishes TFC
Mar 18, 2012 - 4:10 AM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - David Estrada's hat trick got Seattle Sounders FC off to a flying start in the new MLS campaign as the club downed Toronto FC, 3-1, at CenturyLink Field on Saturday.Estrada tallied his first goal after 17 minutes before doubling the advantage for the home side early in the second half.
TFC (0-1-0) pulled a goal back through a great strike from Ryan Johnson, but Estrada restored the two-goal lead just one minute later to complete his hat trick.
Both teams were playing their first match in the new MLS season and it was Seattle (1-0-0) that started quickly with Alvaro Fernandez playing a ball into the box for Estrada.
He picked it up and had his initial effort saved by Toronto goalkeeper Milos Kocic, but scored past the stranded 'keeper on the rebound.
Estrada continued to be a handful and forced Kocic into a save midway through the opening half before Johnson nodded a cross from Richard Eckersley off the crossbar.
Marc Burch set up Estrada's second goal in the 51st minute with a well- weighted through ball that allowed him to slot a low shot past Kocic.
Johnson curled a beautiful shot into the net off the far post from 20 yards to make it 2-1, but TFC barely had a chance to settle back in before Estrada tallied his third goal.
He played a one-two with Fernandez inside the area and fired a shot past Kocic at his near post to seal the win, with the Sounders seeing out the final 25 minutes without too much trouble.
- TORONTO FC: 1
SEATTLE: 3
Final
Mar 18 12:00 AM - TORONTO FC: 0
SEATTLE: 0
1st Half - 1'
Mar 17 10:13 PM
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