San Diego Flash 0 - 2 Seattle Sounders
Devore Stadium, San Diego, California

Storkson (S) 38'
Beech (S) 78'

Match report from Ron Stickney based on the radio broadcast, heard on KOL 1300 AM in Seattle.

SD: Joseph Cannon, Noah Gins, Carlos Trejo Cruz, Jamie Munro, Michael N'Doumbe, Kevin Legg, Maricio Alegre (77' Smith), Nate Hetherington, Christian Escalera (66' Jimmy Wang), Antonio Robles (46' Wes Wade), Jerome Watson.

Sea: Dusty Hudock, Bernie James, Scott Jenkins, Brandon Prideaux, Jason Annicchero, David Hoggan (60' Paul Gelvezon), Kei Kinoshita, Stoner Tadlock, Fabian Davis, Erik Storkson (84' Eugene Poublon), Patrick Beech.

Seattle won an offensive battle against the new San Diego Flash behind goals by forwards Erik Storkson in the first half and Patrick Beech in the second. The small pitch produced many sudden chances for goals, and goalkeeper Dusty Hudock had to make several great saves and intercept a number of dangerous crosses to keep the ball out of his net.

The first 20 minutes was played mostly on the Sounders end of the field, with Hudock making the first of several good saves in the 7th. At 19' Flash defender Noah Gins was cautioned for taking Fabian Davis down in the midfield, and then the tide shifted in Seattle's favor.

Storkson's header from a free kick was just wide, then Kei Kinoshita earned a good shot that was blocked. From Scott Jenkins' throw-in, Storkson headed to Stoner Tadlock, who missed with a header.

For San Diego, Kevin Legg sent in a pass that was dummied by Jerome Watson and shot low on goal by Maricio Alegre, but Hudock dove to his right to make the save.

A Seattle free kick generated shots by Beech and Jason Annicchero, both blocked.

38' Storkson (Tadlock). From David Hoggan's throw-in, he and Tadlock exchanged the ball twice, then Tadlock dribbled into the penalty area and sent the ball towards goal where it deflected off a defender to Storkson, whose first-touch shot with his right foot beat Cannon and put Seattle on the scoreboard. Storkson got another chance a minute later, but he headed Beech's free kick wide of the goal.

In the final minute Antonio Robles got the ball from Nate Hetherington just 7 yards out on a San Diego attack, but sent his shot over the bar. Beech came right back the other way and forced a save by Cannon just before the half-time whistle.

Second Half

Hetherington almost brought the Flash even in the opening minute of the second half, but missed just wide. His later cross gave Alegre a chance, but the shot was too high. From a corner kick play, Hetherington was again just wide with a shot.

Beech got the ball from Storkson on a Seattle counter, but was just wide with a near-post shot.

Watson juked defender to gain a shot at Seattle's goal, but sent the ball over the bar. A
minute after entering for Christian Escalera, Jimmy Wang tried a 25-yarder that sailed over the goal. Hetherington sent a low line drive from 15 yards to the far post, but Hudock managed to push it out. On the ensuing corner kick, Watson's header was on goal but easily saved by Hudock.

78' Beech (Davis). The Jamaican connection paid dividends for Seattle for the second time in two games. From 35 yards out, Fabian Davis sent an air ball to the far corner of the penalty area, where Beech impressed the announcer with an amazing waist-high volley for the insurance goal.

In the final minutes Seattle substitute Paul Gelvezon, on for Hoggan, was fouled, then kicked in the face by San Diego substitute Smith. When no card came out, Bernie James complained to the referee, who then found reason to show the yellow card to James for whatever he said.

Seattle's defense again held strong at the end, denying San Diego any good  opportunities in the late minutes.

Seattle now takes their 2-0 record to Salinas for a match with the 0-2 California Jaguars.
Sunday's game will be the Sounders' third in five days on the road.

Statistics
Shots: SD 21, Sea 12
Saves: SD 5, Sea 8
Corners: SD 6, Sea 4
Fouls: SD 10, Sea 19
Offside: SD 0, Sea 4

Misconduct:
19' Gins (OC) cautioned for taking Davis down.
87' James (S) cautioned for dissent.

Attendance: 5,103 (a good showing for San Diego's first-ever league match)