Saturday, August 4 2012

SEATTLE: The Seattle Sounders jumped ahead with three first-half goals and cruised to a 3-1 victory over Concacaf Champions League newcomers Caledonia AIA on Thursday night.

Sammy Ochoa, Fredy Montero and Andy Rose all tallied in a 24-minute stretch to give the American side a comfortable cushion by the interval.

Kareem Joseph converted a penalty for Caledonia after Jhon Kennedy Hurtado bundled Jamal Gay to the ground five minutes after half-time, but Seattle held out for the remainder of the match to secure the victory.

Seattle squandered several set-piece opportunities inside the first 15 minutes before Ochoa finally put the home side in front in the 19th minute. Alex Caskey collected a deep cross into the left wing corner and supplied a ball back into the penalty area. Rose corralled the service and sent it to Ochoa to slot home from close range.

Joseph nearly engineered an immediate response for the Trindad and Tobago side — managed by assistant Jerry Moe in the absence of coach Jamaal Shabazz — six minutes later and forced a reaction save from Sounders FC goalkeeper Andrew Weber, playing only his fourth game of the season.

Weber’s stop preserved the advantage and set the stage for Montero to extend the lead in the 30th minute. Former TT Pro League standout Cordell Cato played a neat ball into the penalty area to start the move. Rose made a darting run from midfield to latch onto the pass before sliding the ball back toward the penalty spot. Montero arrived at the perfect time to glance his first-time effort inside the far post.

Rose grabbed a goal of his own two minutes before halftime. Osvaldo Alonso’s feed slipped through several players to the unmarked Montero inside the penalty area. Caledonia goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel knocked away Montero’s far post shot, but the rebound fell kindly for Rose to turn home.

Caledonia reduced the deficit five minutes into the second half after referee Stanley Lancaster ruled Jhon Kennedy Hurtado wrestled Jamal Gay to the ground as a corner kick sailed into the area.

The goal did little to spark Caledonia, or ruffle Seattle, as both sides exchanged only occasional chances before the final whistle.

Caledonia will hope to secure its first points in Champions League play in a home match against Honduras’ Marathón on August 22, while the Sounders will look to duplicate their victory against Caledonia when they visit Manny Ramjohn Stadium eight days later.