It took five matches fro the Seattle Sounders, but they finally got it as the took down the Chicago Fire, 2-1, in front of another sell out crowd at Qwest Field. Amazingly, it came with Fredy Montero still out due to a wrist injury, but strong play from Steve Zakuani and a reenergized O'Brian White put the Sounders through. The first half was wide open with three goals and chances for both sides back and forth. While there were some second half chances, none resulted in goals and that was largely due to a tremendous performance in goal by Kasey Keller who almost singlehandedly kept the Fire off of the scoreboard in the second half.
Seattle Sounders Vs. Chicago Fire: Kasey Keller Makes Seattle’s 2-1 Lead Stand Up For Win
Seattle was the first to tally when White skied above two Chicago defenders and headed the ball perfectly inside the post to put the Sounders ahead 1-0. Chicago didn't flinch though and came flying back with a goal 90 seconds later. Diego Chaves got on the end of a Patrick Nyarko low cross and calmly slotted it past Keller for the equalizer. About halfway through the first half, Zakuani put the Sounders ahead for good though, dancing his way in from the left wing and then blazing in on goal before poking it in for the 2-1 Sounders edge.
The second half brought plenty of chances for the Fire. A few just missed the frame, but there were three others that looked like sure goals until the 41-year-old Keller had a sip from the Fountain of Youth and kept Seattle in front. Once it was a diving save of a shot from six yards out, the other time it was just getting a fingertip to the ball and the most heroic of the all was stopping a 1v1 breakaway. In the end, Keller did enough to earn Man of the Match honors and Seattle did enough to earn three points.
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