Last Saturday’s matchup between Eastern Conference leaders, Columbus Crew, and the Green Machine that is the Seattle Sounders was a doozy. At the end of ninety minutes of play, the Eastern Conference should feel embarrassed, and the West has solidified their dominance in MLS. The final score: Seattle 6, Columbus 2. Lamar Neagle had a hat trick on the afternoon (only the second in Sounders FC history, and Seattle became the first team to score four goals in half this season as Seattle set shattered their previous single game scoring record (4).
Lamar Neagle, a fairly fresh face for the Seattle striking unit, is loaded with talent and has a deadly right foot. His first goal came in the 4th minute of play, after a quick throw-in, and some aggressive dribbling, resulted in a low curling shot. The Crew keeper got a hand on it, but the shot was too powerful and bounced past the goalie. This goal tied the Sounders’ previous record for the quickest goal scored.
Seattle struck gold again when a Crew defender committed a handball in the box. Mauro Rosales stepped up confidently and scored the penalty kick. Seattle has struggled to make penalties, but thankfully, Rosales was up to the challenge.
Several minutes later, Seattle broke down the sideline. Rosales passed to a fellow Sounder in the corner who chipped the ball to the far post. Lamar Neagle was unguarded and redirected the ball past the keeper for his second goal of the match.
Chants of “NEAGLE, NEAGLE!” followed the beautiful finish.
Columbus had several chances towards the end of the first half, including opportunities from Andres Mendoza and Emilio Renteria.
Seattle scored again in the 40th, setting a personal record for 3 consecutive goals scored (17 minutes). Their previous record was 19 minutes from a match against D.C. United in 2009. Montero passed out to Rosales who popped the ball into open space. Just when it seemed the Crew’s keeper had his arms around it, Fucito sprang into action, tapping it out of his reach before turning for an easy tap into goal.
Mondoza unleashed from about 25 yards out. It was deadly and on target, but Keller made the save look easy in the 43th. Just before half time, Renteria and Keller collided during a play, but hey decided to hug out their differences.
Finally, midway through the second half, the Crew found the net. A shabby call against the Sounders resulted in a penalty shot. Jeff Cunningham elected to take the kick. Keller guessed wrong and Cunningham cemented himself in MLS history for most goals scored (134).
Fredy Montero had a promising curling shot in the 63′. The keeper, however, pushed the ball out of bounds to safety.
Lamar Neagle earned the hat trick in the 70′. His third, and unassisted goal, was magnificent. I’m reminded of Ashley Young of Manchester United. Neagle, coming diagonally at the goal, struck the ball with great power. It curled to the far post, hit the top bar, bounced into the goal, and then instantly bounced out and back onto the field. Needless to say, the keeper was confused, but the goal was obvious and a treat to witness.
The second and final goal for Columbus came in the 74th minute when Keller misjudged a free kick from Josh Gardner. The Crew had more shots than Seattle on the night, and Keller had a few handfuls of saves.
The final goal for Seattle, and the match, was an own goal from Gardner in the 75th. Looking at the replay, it looks as though he thought his teammate was going to take control and was not expecting the ball at his feet. Either way, Gardner had two goals on the night.
After a grueling ninety minutes, Seattle was on top of the world. Even more amazing is the fact that Columbus has one of the best defenses in the MLS, allowing only .96 goals per game. After Saturday, that average is going to be a little higher.
Seattle Sounders FC Starting XI – Kasey Keller, James Riley, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tyson Wahl, Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alsonso, Erik Friberg, Lamar Neagle, Mike Fucito, Fredy Montero
Columbus Crew Starting XI – William Hesmer, Sebastian Miranda, Rich Balchan, Chad Marshall, Josh Gardner, Kevin Burns, Emmanuel Ekpo, Robbie Rogers, Dilly Duka, Andres Mendoza, Emilio Renteria
