2010 Sep 14 2010 Sep 14
Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, San Jose, Costa Rica
Goals:
56' SAP: David Guzman (Fernando Paniagua)
82' SAP: Allan Aleman (Josue Martinez)
Saprissa: Fausto Gonzalez; Victor Cordero, Jose Mena (Josue Martinez 46'), Gabriel Badilla; Esteban Sirias, Walter Centeno, Fernando Paniagua, David Guzman (Jose Lopez 73'), Armando Alonso (Allan Aleman 63'); Jairo Arrieta, Ricardo Blanco. Substitutes not used: Minor Alvarez, Javier Loaiza, Yader Balladares, Alexander Robinson.
Seattle: Terry Boss; Leo Gonzalez (sent off 38'), Tyrone Marshall, Taylor Graham, Zach Scott; Steve Zakuani (Tyson Wahl 46'), Osvaldo Alonso, Nathan Sturgis (Alvaro Fernandez 64'), Sanna Nyassi; Fredy Montero, Roger Levesque (Mike Fucito 72'). Substitutes not used: Kasey Keller, Jeff Parke, Mike Seamon, Blaise Nkufo.
Match report from Ron Stickney:
The Seattle Sounders FC travelled to San Jose, Costa Rica to take on Deportivo Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions League and lost 2-0 after Leo Gonzaoez was sent off in the first half. David Guzman and Allan Aleman scored second-half goals for Saprissa to move them into second place in the group.
Seattle looked good out of the starting gate. A second-minute free kick by Fredy Montero gave Taylor Graham a good chance from a header at the center of the 6-yard line, but it went wide of the near post. Two minutes later Montero fed Sanna Nyassi for an open cross from the right corner but it was a bit too high for Roger levesque, whose header went wide. Montero fed Nyassi again for a shot that he miskicked. Nyassi's next shot came close, deflecting off a defender's leg and forcing goalkeeper Fausto Gonzalez to push it over the bar.
The tide turned at 14'. A Saprissa cross from the left corner gave Jairo Arrieta a header near goal, and Tyrone Marshall did well to be there to immediately head it wide. Walter Centeno's ensuing corner kick had eyes for the top far corner and Terry Boss had to palm it over the bar. Centeno's next corner kick was headed on goal, but a Seattle defender headed it straight up and Boss then claimed it.
Saprissa were awarded a free kick from the 18 when Boss was judged to have reached over the line while throwing the ball. Centeno's free kick shot rebounded off the wall and his put-back shot was deflected wide by a charging defender.
Midway in the half Seattle regained the momentum. Montero had a chance up the middle but miskicked the shot. Steve Zakuani beat two defenders to earn a 15-yard shot at the lower near corner, but F Gonzalez got down to push it wide.
The match turned in the 38th minute when Leo Gonzalez was given a questionable red card when he easily cleared the ball and on the follow through his cleat landed on the hip of a late-arriving opponent. Gonzalez pulled his foot back on the contact, and the red card from Mexican referee Marco Rodríguez seemed unwarranted. It put Seattle's chances on the ropes.
Deep in first half added time Zakuani beat several defenders to get close to goal but could not find an opportunity to pull the trigger. That was it for Zakuani, as he was replaced at intermission by defender Tyson Wahl.
The second half opened with a couple of good chances for Saprissa's Arrieta, but he missed the target both times.
56' SAP: Guzman (Paniagua). Saprissa made good on their man advantage with an attack straight up the middle. Fernando Paniagua passed forward to Guzman, who was open for a shot from the top of the arc. He beat Boss with a shot to the lower left corner. 1-0 Saprissa.
Saprissa soon came close to another goal, but Boss made a fine leg save to put it out for a corner.
Seattle had a golden opportunity to get even when Montero drew Gabriel Badilla into a tripping foul in the penalty area. Osvaldo Alonso took the penalty kick, but Fausto Gonzalez guessed right and made the save, deflecting it wide for a corner.
82' SAP: Aleman (Martinez). After Montero took a Seattle corner kick, Saprissa scored on the counterattack. Nyassi swung at the ball and failed to clear it, allowing Josue Martinez to set up an open cross from the left. He centered the ball to Aleman, who put a low shot past the charging Boss. 2-0 Saprissa.
After three rounds in group play, Monterrey are perfect with 9 points, Saprissa have 6, Marathon have 3, and the Sounders have zero. It will now take three wins and additional luck for the Sounders to advance from the group.
Statistics:
SAP SEA
Shots: 18 12
Saves: 2 4
Corners: 8 8
Fouls: 17 14
Offsides: 2 2
Misconduct:
38' SEA: L Gonzalez sent off for following through with his cleat after clearing the ball
43' SEA: Levesque cautioned for kicking Centeno after the ball was gone
53' SEA: Boss cautioned for delaying a restart
86' SEA: Fernandez cautioned
86' SAP: Centeno cautioned
90' SEA: Wahl cautioned
Referees: Marco Rodríguez (Mexico); Jose Luis Camargo, Alberto Morin; Jefry Solis
