RSL fall to Sounders FC in 2009 opener

Utah side can't overcome goals from Jaqua, Montero in defeat

Javier Morales and RSL had a tough time getting into an offensive groove. (O. Greule/Getty)

Nate Jaqua scored in the 17th minute and Fredy Montero scored his third goal of the season in the 77th as expansion Sounders FC won for the second time in as many games and RSL lost their season opener.

A physical match started out on a rough foot in just the 10th minute, when RSL's Kyle Beckerman took down Seattle's Fredy Montero for a yellow card.

Two minutes later, Yura Movsisyan took RSL's first shot, blasting a ball toward Seattle 'keeper Kasey Keller, who knocked it out for a corner.

Seattle took the lead in the 17th minute. First-round draft pick Steve Zakuani beat RSL's Tony Beltran on the left flank and found Jaqua running into the box. Jaqua tapped the ball to the right of Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando for a 1-0 Seattle lead. In the 25th minute Jaqua tried to double Sounders FC's lead, but Rimando smothered the attempt.

Javier Morales tried to even things out in the 38th minute. Morales crossed the ball into the box, but before anyone could get there Keller grabbed it and dropped it before it was finally cleared.

Down a goal in the second half, RSL came out on a mission. Just four minutes in, Movsisyan beat his defender and rocketed a ball at Keller. Keller stopped the drive, sending it back into play. Clint Mathis settled the loose ball but sent a long shot soaring to the right of the goal.

A mid-air collision between Seattle's Tyrone Marshall and RSL's Robbie Findley in the 63rd minute left both players down on the field. But each returned to play.

Real Salt Lake made another push in the 68th minute, with the ball ending at the feet of Movsisyan. He settled the ball and shot it toward the upper right corner. But the ball bounced off the crossbar and out.

Beckerman then sent Keller sliding in the 73rd minute, rocketing a shot toward the left post. The ball sailed just outside of the left post.

Montero then made the 2-0 score in the 77th minute. Racing up the center of the field, he blasted a perfect shot from well outside the area to the left of Rimando and into the goal.

Andy Williams entered the game in the 74th minute, replacing Findley. Tacoma, Wash. native Raphael Cox came on in the 84th minute, and Jean Alexandre in the 89th. But none of them were able to spark a RSL attempt as the game ended in a 2-0 Sounders FC win.

Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

• Facebook
• Supporter Comments
• Email
• Print

MLSnet.com Comments

• 

  It's Real - The 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs

• 

  2010 Season Tickets On Sale Now!

• 

  RSL Duo Named to U.S. National Team

• 

  RSL Youth Development