Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Eddie Johnson bagged a brace at CenturyLink
Field on Saturday, scoring in the 29th and 89th minutes to help Seattle
Sounders FC take a 2-1 win over Chivas USA and lift the Emerald City club to
second place in the Western Conference.
Nick LaBrocca gave the Goats an early lead, but Johnson drew the Sounders
level before sealing three points in dramatic fashion with a game-winner late
on.
Seattle (13-6-8) extends its unbeaten run to four games, taking 10 points over
that stretch to move to within six points of the first-place San Jose
Earthquakes.
Chivas (7-12-7) looks certain to miss the postseason at this point, losing
three of its last four and going winless in its last six league contests. The
Goats are second from bottom in the West with 28 points through 26 games.
LaBrocca got the visitors off to a shock start when he collected a brilliant
through ball from Shalrie Joseph and slapped a left-footed shot across goal
and just inside the far post.
Seattle equalized in the 29th minute from a set piece as Christian Tiffert's
inch-perfect delivery was nodded home by Johnson.
The home side came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock in the second
half when Steve Zakuani's cross found an unmarked Brad Evans at the back post,
but the Sounders midfielder was unable to convert the sitter, poking his
first-time effort off the base of the post.
That miss ultimately made no difference as Johnson headed home a late winner
off of a sensational cross from Fredy Montero to wrap up three points for
Seattle.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network