Rapids 3 - 4 Sounders
Final
  for this game

Sounders top Rapids in seven-goal thriller

Jul 16, 2011 - 10:24 PM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Ahead of Seattle Sounders FC's friendly with English giants Manchester United, a natural grass surface was laid down over CenturyLink Field's usual artificial turf.

The change in playing surface was made in advance of Seattle's Major League Soccer tilt with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

Ultimately, playing on grass at home proved to be trivial for Seattle, as it extended its unbeaten streak in MLS play to nine games by defeating Colorado 4-3.

The Sounders failed to quickly adapt to the grass surface and the Rapids capitalized very early on.

In the second minute, a failed clearance from Seattle's back line fell to Wells Thompson at the top of the box, and the Colorado midfielder made them pay.

Thompson settled the ball and immediately fired a shot just inside Kasey Keller's right post to give the Rapids an early lead.

It did not take Seattle long to gain some composure, finding an equalizer just five minutes later.

Osvaldo Alonso sent a long through ball to Alvaro Fernandez, who showed strength and balance to fight off a defender and slip a shot past Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

The match looked to be heading into halftime at a 1-1 deadlock, but Jeff Larentowicz ripped a one-time shot from outside the box that struck the post and crossed the goal line, giving the Rapids the edge in the 43rd minute.

Seattle pulled level again in the 48th minute as Roger Levesque got on the end of a cross and finished with a deft touch from a tough near-post angle.

Designated Player Fredy Montero notched the go-ahead goal for Seattle with a header at the back post in the 83rd minute, and Mauro Rosales provided the Sounders with a nice cushion by adding another goal just one minute later.

That goal proved to be pivotal, as Colorado pulled one back in the 90th minute thanks to a Caleb Folan header.

But Folan's tally served just as a consolation goal for the Rapids, who despite their effort, could not find a late equalizer.

This was Seattle's last competitive match before the All-Star Game on July 27. The Sounders (10-4-8) face Manchester United in a friendly on Wednesday before returning to MLS action on July 30 against the Houston Dynamo.

Colorado (6-6-9) will aim to get back on track Wednesday night when it hosts Red Bull New York at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.






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