2005 Jun 21

Seattle Sounders  1 - 0  Rochester Raging Rhinos
Qwest Field, Seattle, WA

Seattle: Preston Burpo; Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Billy Sleeth, Scott Jenkins; Kevin Sakuda, Ben Somoza (Brett Wiesner 80'), Jake Sagare (Gabe Sturm 75'), Roger Levesque; Franklin Chacon (Brent Whitfield 67'), Welton (Jacob Besagno 89'). Substitutes not used: James Ward, Josh Hansen.

Rochester: Scott Vallow; Frankie Sanfillippo, Jason Perry, Scott Schweitzer, Billy Sedgewick; John Ball (Scott Palguta 72'), Rene Rivas, Pato Aguilera (Stoian Mladenov 82'), Kirk Wilson; Jonathan Bolaños (Rey Martinez 88'), Mauro Carabajal (Greg Howes 80'). Substitutes not used: Dusty Hudock, Tenywa Bonseu.

Goals:
86' SEA - Sturm (Whitfield)

Additional match reports: Seattle Times, Seattle P-I, King County Journal, Sounders, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Match report by Ron Stickney:

A rookie goal was the difference as the host Seattle Sounders defeated the Rochester Raging Rhinos 1-0. The late goal came from substitute rookie Gabe Sturm, assisted by a perfect cross from substitute rookie Brent Whitfield. It was Sturm's first professional goal. It was goalkeeper Preston Burpo's 6th shutout in 7 matches. Most of the second half was played 10 v 10 after the battle of the Billies -- Rhinos defender Billy Sedgewick and Sounders defender Billy Sleeth were both sent off after an altercation (more on that later).

With CJ Klaas suspended for three matches for a red card in the previous match, forward Roger Levesque dropped into the midfield to replace Klaas and rookie Franklin Chacon stepped in at forward. Rochester head coach and former NASL Sounders coach Laurie Calloway was also suspended for the match.

First Half

Seattle nearly scored in the first minute when Ben Somoza put Chacon free up the right side for a nice cross into the goal area, but Levesque in the middle and then Jake Sagare on a far-post run both slid in feet first inches short of finishing it.

The rest of the first half saw almost no chances. Seattle's best shot came in the 16th minute when Scott Jenkins' throw-in was headed by Taylor Graham at the near post, but goalkeeper Scott Vallow was there to touch it over the bar.

For Rochester, Mauro Carabajal netted the ball in the 27th when the Seattle defense failed to clear the ball, but Carabajal was flagged offside in a close call.

Seattle sweeper Graham appeared to injure his arm or shoulder challenging Vallow for a free kick served into the box in the 52nd. Vallow pulled the ball off Graham's head, and Graham crashed to the ground and left the match for a few minutes. When Graham returned, his left arm didn't look right, hanging limply. Graham would finish the match, although he probably played in pain.

At the end of the half, it was just 2 shots each way, only one shot, by Seattle, requiring a save.

Halftime: Seattle 0-0 Rochester

A Seattle attack in the 49th minute looked promising with Welton wide open to receive the ball, but as he entered the penalty area he touched the ball too far ahead and was left with a shot from a steep angle that Vallow easily saved at the near post.

The next minute saw a nasty altercation when Rochester left back Billy Sedgewick was up on the attack on the left side and Sounders right back Billy Sleeth knocked Sedgewick down just outside the side of the penalty area. With Sleeth standing over Sedgewick, Sedgewick bit Sleeth on the leg and Sleeth retaliated by kicking Sedgewick. Both Billies got the red card. Sleeth headed to the locker room first and as he passed the Emerald City Supporters he explained that Sedgewick bit him and showed the bleeding bite mark on his leg. Then Sedgewick had to endure chants of "muzzle for Sedgewick" as he walked off in front of the supporters group.

In the 64th a cross from last-year Sounder Jonathan Bolaños was headed sharply at an open top far corner by Carabajal, just missing the target.

For Seattle, Chacon's corner kick in the 66th was headed at goal by Graham and Kevin Sakuda tried to redirect it by Vallow, but Vallow was there in time to block and come away with the ball. Two minutes later Levesque headed a Jenkins throw-in squarely onto the near post when there was room to put one in.

For Rochester, Carabajal headed a nice cross on goal in the 77th, but Burpo leaped to save at the bar. In the 85th Rochester's first corner kick of the half was broken up but substitute Stoian Mladenov shot the leftovers low at the near post from 15 yards, and a defender put the ball out for a corner.

86' Sturm (Whitfield). The goal came from rookies who had entered as substitutes. A throw-in play went from Levesque to Brett Wiesner to Whitfield for a cross from the right, and it was served perfectly to the center of the 6-yard line with Sturm running up the middle to shoot low and calmly inside the far post as Vallow defended the near post. 1-0 Seattle.

Seattle had one more good shot when Graham headed Sakuda's corner kick just wide of the top far corner.

Four minutes of added time produced one good shot from Rochester, a 15-yarder from the left that went well high and wide of the far corner.

Final: Seattle 1-0 Rochester

Statistics:
          Seattle  Rochester
Shots:       8         8
Saves:       1         3
Corners:     7         4
Fouls:      10        17
Offsides:    5         3

Misconduct:
41' ROC - Bolaños cautioned for tripping Graham at the halfway line
46' ROC - Carabajal cautioned for dissent after Seattle was awarded a free kick
50' SEA - Sleeth sent off for kicking Sedgewick in retaliation for ...
50' ROC - Sedgewick sent off for biting Sleeth in the leg after Sleeth was whistled for a foul
55' ROC - Perry cautioned for a late chop into Chacon's legs at the halfway line
62' ROC - Aguilera cautioned for dissent after a throw-in was awarded to Seattle
90' ROC - Rivas cautioned for pulling down Wiesner

Referees: Lawrence Rodrigues; Scott Lawrence, Mark Matthews; Cory Dean

Attendance: 1,799