Team release:
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Fredy Montero's header in the first half helped the Seattle Sounders FC grab three points on the road as it beat the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday night.
Montero has scored (4) or assisted (5) in eight consecutive MLS games.
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Sounders FC (7-8-4, 25 points) has won its last three league matches and is unbeaten in six matches in all competitions. With the win, Seattle jumps from sixth in the West to fourth.
San Jose (6-5-5, 23 points) lost for the first time since the World Cup break and falls to sixth in the Western Conference.
Montero struck in the 26th minute. Sanna Nyassi took a ball from Montero and served it back to him in front of the goal where he headed it past San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch.
Montero has seven goals and eight assists this season.
Nyassi has recorded an assist in three consecutive matches, dating back to his first career assist on July 10. All three have been game-winning assists.
Blaise Nkufo had two dangerous shots, including a header in the 2nd minute and a low, left-footed drive in the 63rd minute. Both were stopped by Busch.
Seattle held a 9-8 advantage in shots (7-2 on goal) and corners, 6-5.
Kasey Keller earned his sixth clean sheet of the season, making two saves.
Jeff Parke left the game at halftime with a head injury and was replaced by Tyrone Marshall.
Alvaro Fernandez made his Sounders FC debut, entering the match in the 69th minute for Steve Zakuani. Fernandez, who played for Uruguay in the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup, was signed by the club on July 29.
San Jose beat Seattle, 1-0, in the previous meeting on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field on May 22.
Sounders FC travels to El Salvador on Tuesday as Metapán and Seattle are vying for a spot in the Champions League group stage. The match will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel and can be heard on KIRO 97.3 FM with Arlo White on the call.
Seattle returns to MLS play at home against the Houston Dynamo on August 8 at 8 p.m. PT.
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
