Lamar Neagle scored for the second-straight game as Sounders FC (14-8-4, 46 points) defeated the Chicago Fire (10-11-5, 35 points), 2-1, Saturday night on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. A late own goal from Chicago proved to be the game winner as Seattle won its fourth straight match.
Chicago scored first in the 25th minute when Dilly Duka played Mike Magee behind the defense for a one-on-one against Seattle keeper Michael Gspurning. Magee slotted his shot inside the far post for his league-leading 15th goal of the season. Magee suffered a first-half injury and was replaced by Juan Luis Anangono at halftime.
Seattle equalized 15 minutes later when Marc Burch and Neagle connected for a goal in the second consecutive game. After a Mauro Rosales cross was pawed away by Chicago keeper Sean Johnson, Burch recovered the ball and found Neagle in the box for a first-time finish.
It marked the seventh league goal and eighth across all competitions of the season for Neagle, tied for the team-lead in both. Burch’s third assist matches his career high.
The score remained 1-1 until the 89th minute when second-half substitute Zach Scott made a dangerous run up the left side and sent a cross that was deflected by Gonzalo Segares into the goal. It was the third own goal received on the season for Seattle, with the last two resulting in game-winners.
Seattle was awarded a penalty kick in the 29th minutes after a Bakary Soumare hand ball in the box following a corner kick. Osvaldo Alonso’s attempt was saved by a diving Sean Johnson.
Seattle has now won four-straight games and seven out of the past eight. The 12-game (9-0-3) home unbeaten streak is a club record and matches the longest in MLS this season.
Obafemi Martins finished with a game-high four shots, including two on goal. In the second minute, Martins managed a shot on frame after evading multiple defenders in the box. One minute later he bodied a Fire defender into the box for a shot that was saved. In the 83rd minute, Martins got off an open header that bounced just wide of the near post.
Sounders FC returns to action on Friday with a home matchup against first-place Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field and will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Mike Magee (Dilly Duka) 25′
SEA – Lamar Neagle (Marc Burch) 40′
SEA – Own Goal (Gonzalo Segares) 89′
