Seattle sounders win at Toronto 2-1 on Dempsey’s return

Mauro Rosales scored his third goal of the season and Clint Dempsey made his return to MLS as Sounders FC (10-7-4, 34 points) defeated Toronto FC (4-11-9, 20 points), 2-1, Saturday at BMO Field. Brad Evans and Eddie Johnson each recorded an assist as Seattle won its third straight game.

Seattle got on the board first in the 16^th minute when Evans lofted a cross at the far post to Johnson, who headed it back across the goal to Rosales for a left-footed volley into the net. It was the third goal of the season for Rosales, who has recorded a point in three straight games.

With the assist, Evans now has two goals and two assists during Seattle’s three-game winning streak.

A Toronto own goal made it 2-0 in the 40^th minute. Lamar Neagle maintained possession with the ball all the way to the end line and sent a low cross that Toronto defender Doneil Henry re-directed inside the far post.

Toronto pulled one back right after halftime when Jonathan Osorio’s point-blank shot was deflected by the foot of Marcus Hahnemann and breached the line just before being cleared by Leo Gonzalez.

Clint Dempsey made his Sounders FC debut when he came on in the 34^th minute for Obafemi Martins, who suffered a left ankle injury. Seattle’s newest Designated Player finished with a team-high five shots in his first league action since the 2006 MLS Cup Final.

Dempsey’s first touch came on a counter-attack in the 36^th minute when Eddie Johnson fed him deep into the box, but the chance was thwarted by the Toronto defense. After drawing a foul just outside the box in the 44^th minute, the U.S. National Team captain sent a dangerous free kick that just barely clipped the top of the wall and went over for a corner.

Marcus Hahnemann made two saves-including a crucial stop in stoppage time to prevent an equalizer-en route to his second straight win in his first two MLS starts for Seattle.

Tonight marked the first time Sounders FC has started the same lineup in back to back games since the final two regular season matches of 2012 (10/21 vs. DAL and 10/28 at LA).

Sounders FC returns to action next Saturday with a road match against the Houston Dynamo. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Scoring Summary:

SEA – Mauro Rosales (Eddie Johnson, Brad Evans) 16′

SEA – Own Goal (Doneil Henry) 40′

TOR – Jonathan Osorio (Andrew Wiedemann) 46′