Dempsey scores 2 goals, Sounders beat Minnesota United
MINNEAPOLIS » Clint Dempsey had two goals and one assists to help the Seattle Sounders beat Minnesota United 4-0 on Saturday night in the first meeting between the teams.
Seattle (9-7-7) is unbeaten in its last seven games, including three consecutive shutouts, with its last loss coming on June 17 against New York City FC. The Sounders have back-toback road clean sheets after posting just two since the beginning of last season before a 0-0 draw at Los Angeles on July 29.
Will Bruin rolled in a left-footer to open the scoring in the ninth minute. He tapped it to Dempsey who, as four defenders converged, found Bruin at the top-left of the 6-yard box for the finish. Dempsey’s header from point-blank range made it 2-0 in the 18th, Jordan Morris put away a long feed from Nicolas Lodeiro in the 71st and Dempsey capped the scoring in the 73rd minute, faking left before beating a defender to the right a blasting a shot from near the spot into the net.
Stefan Frei had four saves for his eighth shutout of the season.
Minnesota (6-13-4) has just one win in its last seven matches. FIRE 4, REVOLUTION 1 » Matt Polster scored his first goal of the season in the eighth minute to help Chicago beat New England.
Kei Kamara, with his fourth goal in his last three matches, tied it at the 24th minute on a header off a free kick from Lee Nguyen.
Chicago went ahead for good when Juninho scored his first goal as a member of the Fire in the 39th. Patrick Doody assisted on goals by Juninho, Michael de Leeuw and Luis Solignac.
Chicago (12-5-5) swept New England (7-10-5) in all three matches this season.
The Fire extended its home winning streak to nine games, the second longest home winning streak of all time. The Miami Fusion won nine straight at home from Aug. 4, 2000, to June 9 the following year. TORONTO FC 1, D.C. UNITED 1 » Kofi Opare scored his first goal of the season as D.C. United played MLS-leading Toronto FC to a draw.
D.C. United (5-14-4) managed just four shots — one on target — and its own goal tied the match in the 52nd minute.