Latest win restores Seattle to second in West
VANCOUVER – In the last game in Empire Field, the temporary home of the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps, their northwest rival Seattle Sounders stole the show.
Fredy Montero took his game to another level, scoring two goals inside five minutes of the second half to lead the Seattle to a 3-1 victory over Vancouver to claim the first MLS Cascadia Cup presented to the best northwest team.
No surprise Seattle is the best northwest team already three years in the MLS with Portland and Vancouver in their inaugural season. With the win Seattle, with 15 wins and 54 points, moved back into second place in the Western Conference ahead of Real Salt Lake and behind the L.A. Galaxy. Vancouver on the contrary is last in the MLS with just four wins.
Camillo scored in the 19th minute to give Vancouver the first lead of the game. Brad Evans converted a penalty kick goal in the 33rd minute after handball in the box by Vancouver defender Jay DeMerrit drew a yellow card.
With the score tied going into the second half, Montero once again rose to the occasion to pick his team up. In the 63rd minute, Montero sent a ball to Nate Jaqua whose header missed the mark but while clearing the ball out, a Whitecaps defender bicycle-kicked the ball right to Montero 15 yards from the goal. With defenders quickly swarming him he side-stepped to his right and blasted a hard left-footed shot into the back left corner of the net, giving Seattle a 2-1 lead.
If one is nice, more is better. Not five minutes later did Montero find the ball at his feet within his range and he delivered a strong shot that deflected off DeMerrit and into the net for another goal.
Montero now has nine goals this season to lead Seattle and 11 career game-winning goals. Four times this season Seattle has comeback to win after the opposing team scores first.
Seattle finished with the best record in six head-to-head matchups between Portland and Vancouver. Not including a pre-season friendly match, Seattle did not lose to either team, beat each team once, and tied both once.
Seattle’s supporter came out in strong numbers overshadowing the Whitecaps crowd and turned home-field advantage over to the green team. With the win secured, Sounders fans serenades of chants took over the stadium. When the Cascadia Cup was presented to Seattle, Sounders fans were the only ones left in the stadium cheering on the victors. Keller and Montero held the trophy up to the fans as they reveled in celebration.
