August 15, 1997

Hattrup (S) 14
E. Rodriguez (S) 47

Seattle: Hudock; James, Draguicevich, Jenkins; Figueroa, Barton, Gutierrez (65' Megson), Hoggan; Hattrup, E. Rodriguez (83' Gelvezon), Gailey.

Orange County: Cerna; Perez, Macedo, Ianni, Jones; Villalvazo (32' Mingo), F. Rodriguez, Guerrero (90' Arroyo), Leal (55' Temblador); Robles, Wilson.

Cautions:
James (S), Wilson (OC), Gailey (S)

Shots: Seattle 18, Orange County 5
Saves: Hudock 2, Cerna 3
Corners: Seattle 7, Orange County 1
Fouls: Seattle 17, Orange County 10
Offside: Seattle 9, Orange County 1

Referee: Dean Ajair

The Seattle Sounders won their third in a row, beating the Orange County Zodiac 2-0 behind goals by Peter Hattrup and the loaned Esmundo Rodriguez. Netminder Dusty Hudock notched his 14th shutout in this year's league play, tying the season shutout record set last year by Marcus Hahnemann. Hahnemann's 14 shutouts included 3 in the playoffs. Hudock lowered his league-leading goals against average to 0.58.

Making their first appearances as Sounders were midfielders Henry Gutierrez, an A-League All-Star acquired from the Rochester Rhinos in trade for Nate Daligcon and Justin Stoddard, and Vicente Figueroa, an impressive 20-year-old who had been training with the San Jose Clash. While Figueroa did not play in a Clash match, he did play in some exhibition games for the club he was previously training with, Chivas of Guadalajara in the Mexican First Division.

Returning on loan from the San Jose Clash were forward Esmundo Rodriguez and defender Oscar Draguicevich. Don't expect the pair for Monday's game against Minnesota, though, as they will be suited up for San Jose on Sunday.

Canadians Mark Watson and Geoff Aunger were with their national team for a friendly with Iran. This game served as a suspension for Watson due to an accumulation of yellow cards. There is a good chance that this pair will be back for Monday's game against Minnesota.

First Half

The Seattle fans were treated to a wonderful display of possession soccer by the Sounders, as veterans David Hoggan and Peter Hattrup combined well with the newcomers, stringing together pass after pass.

Seattle's first good chance came early when Gutierrez sent in a diagonal cross to Mike Gailey's head, and Gailey's looping header was just over the top left corner. A corner kick was on Kieran Barton's head 10 yards from goal, but he headed down and bounced the ball over the cross bar from an astroturf bounce.

14' Hattrup (Hoggan). Hattrup showed Barton how it is done when Hattrup headed Hoggan's corner kick in at the near post, giving Seattle the early lead.

Soon after the kickoff, Hoggan took a 25-yard free kick that Marco Cerna dove to push out. On a clearance from the resulting corner kick, Hoggan got another chance to shoot, but sent the ball well over the goal. Another corner kick was deflected by an Orange County defender to Figueroa, who headed over the bar.

At 21' Gustavo Leal took the Zodiac's first shot, a 30-yarder prayer shot that Hudock easily caught.

The other way, Gailey took Figueroa's square cross, turned and fired a 20-yarder, just over the bar. Gutierrez' first chance was a 20-yarder after a nice short pass from Hattrup, but Gutierrez shot well over the goal. Figueroa took another 20-yarder and was also well over.

Gailey won a 50-50 air ball in Orange County's penalty area and set up Gutierrez for a 15-yard shot from the right, but the shot rolled past the far post.

Second Half

47' E. Rodriguez (Barton). The second half started out nicely when Seattle converted their first shot. From the right side, Barton curled a cross over the back line and down for E. Rodriguez to run onto 15 yards out from the far post. Rodriguez volleyed a chip past the advancing Cerna and into the top left corner, putting Seattle up 2-0.

Five minutes later E. Rodriguez crossed to Hattrup in the area, and Hattrup trapped the ball, held it and shot, but a defender blocked. The rebound fell for Gailey, whose shot was well over. Seattle then went flat, rarely threatening the Zodiac goal in the final 38 minutes.

Brad Wilson took Orange County's best look at the goal when on a counterattack he received the ball at the top of Seattle's penalty area with nobody to beat but Hudock. Wilson took his shot from the 18-yard line, but Hudock came way out and slid in to block with his legs for a save. Wilson had another good chance when he took a 20-yard free kick, but his shot was high and wide.

Seattle's final home game of the regular season is Monday, Aug 18 against the Minnesota Thunder.