After being shut out at home last Saturday by San Jose and losing All-Star defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado in the process, the Sounders reserve players knew it was time to perform.
The reserves did not disappoint, rewarding the loyalty of the 40,122 fans in attendance with the first victory at Qwest Field since April 17, 2009 by blanking Boca 3-0. Besides the debut of the retina-burning “Electricity” kit, the milestone marked just the third win at home this season for the Sounders.
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The Sounders’ first goal in over 300 minutes of game time came when a free kick by Fredy Montero rebounded to Roger Levesque who controlled the ball and walked it in from two yards out, breaking a 0-0 deadlock in the 42nd minute.
Schmid scrapped his starting XI at the half, swapping in Terry Boss, Pat Noonan, Miguel Montano, James Riley and David Estrada. The changes proved effective, earning a second goal in the 64th minute when Estrada connected with Noonan who slid a shot past the Boca keeper with his left foot.
“I was able to shield off the defender and avoid falling,” Noonan said. “I didn’t know how great my angle was, so I was able to bring it back and put it over the keeper.”
Rookie Michael Seamon got his first taste of Qwest Field at full song when, in the 70th minute, he took a pass from Patrick Ianni, took one touch and found the net from 35 yards out.
“We had a feeling that if we could get a goal here then the dam would open up for us a little bit,” Schmid said. “It gives you confidence when you see the ball hit the back of the net in a real game - the feeling you have is something that helps carry you.”
Some news that will not be welcome to Sounders fans is word of another injury. Osvaldo Alonso pulled himself from the game in the 19th minute with what Schmid later described as a thigh injury, including that Alonso probably would not see any minutes this Saturday.
“It's a happier day in Sounder land today than it was on Saturday,” Schmid said.
The Sounders will not have much time to rest before traveling to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. On Saturday, they face the Colorado Rapids before returning to Qwest for a two game home stand.
Reach Galen Helmgren at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
