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Keller, Sounders squash Earthquakes

Apr 26, 2009 - 6:29 AM SEATTLE (AP) -- One game off for a red-card suspension certainly didn't slow down Kasey Keller.

Keller was back in goal on Saturday night and posted his fourth straight shutout to set an MLS record as the Seattle Sounders FC beat the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0.

Keller hasn't allowed a goal in 389 minutes to start the season, surpassing the old record of 375 set in 2007 by New York's Ronald Waterreus.

Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans scored for Seattle (4-2-0).

"It's nice for the club," Keller said of the record-setting scoreless streak."But it's not something for me, it's something for the whole team."

Keller was credited with five saves - including one early in the second half, immediately after which the Sounders increased their lead to 2-0.

"The game hinges on a Kasey Keller save, basically," San Jose coach Frank Yallop said. "I felt we were just starting to turn the corner ? then boom, the second goal goes in."

Keller was given a red card in Seattle's 1-0 loss to Kansas City on April 11 in the 30th minute when the game was still scoreless. He served a one-game suspension on April 18 when Seattle lost to Chivas USA, 2-0.

"You have to be able to come up with the saves when you team needs you," Keller said. "Those are big moments in the game, and it was something I was happy to be able to contribute."

San Jose (1-3-2) is winless in its last four games and has gone 11 straight games without a road victory (0-6-5) since a 2-0 win at Columbus last June 7.

Zakuani, the top overall pick in this year's MLS draft, scored on a header in the 42nd minute that ended a 266-minute Seattle scoring drought. On a free kick just outside the box on the right wing, the ball initially was knocked out of danger, but was held in by the Sounders.

Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, playing at the top of the box, got it through to Tyrone Marshall, who headed a target ball toward the right post. Zakuani met it there, headed it down, and it bounced into the back left corner.

Zakuani was making his third start of the season, and Sounders coach Sigi Schmid indicated that he'll be getting more of them.

"He played well enough tonight to deserve another start," Schmid said of the winger from the University of Akron. "I would be surprised if he wasn't the starter next week (at Chicago on May 2). It's still a matter of getting fitter and fitter. Certainly, he can play."

Seattle made it 2-0 late in the 49th minute. Playing just over midfield on the left sideline, Zakuani sent a through ball to Nate Jaqua. He crossed to Evans, who was coming all alone down the middle, and Evans fired it past goalkeeper Joe Cannon from 14 yards straight in front.

San Jose wound up outshooting Seattle 12-11, but couldn't put one past Keller. The Earthquakes' best chance came in the 48th minute when Ryan Johnson sent a shot toward the right post off a corner kick. Keller dove to his left to knock it away, and the Sounders put their second goal on the board just more than a minute later.

"Kasey made a great saves, and when they score a goal that quick in the second half, it deflates you a little bit," Earthquakes midfielder Bobby Convey said.