Alonso scores to lead Sounders over Rapids

Sounders react after Ozzie Alonso scored his first goal of 2012 in Colorado on Saturday night. (Sounders Facebook)

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Eddie Johnson scored a goal and an assist as Sounders FC (9-5-7, 34 points) defeated the Colorado Rapids (7-14-1, 22 points), 2-1, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Osvaldo Alonso scored the winner for his first goal of the season as Seattle extended its unbeaten streak to five games (2-0-3).

Seattle struck early when Johnson scored the fastest goal in franchise history. In the second minute, Mauro Rosales found Johnson with a corner kick and the striker pounded it in to put Seattle up 1-0. It was the ninth goal of the season for Johnson and the seventh assist for Rosales, both team-highs.

Just a minute later, Colorado equalized when Brian Mullan crossed from the right corner and Drew Moor tapped in the score at the far post.

The score stayed level until Alonso netted the winner in the 65th minute. Alex Caskey played to an open Johnson on the left side of the box, who then crossed to a wide open Alonso 12 yards out. The center-mid volleyed the cross easily past Colorado keeper Matt Pickens to give Seattle the lead.

It was the first goal of the season for Alonso and second assist for Johnson. Alonso has four goals in U.S. Open Cup play in 2012.

Five of Johnson’s nine goals this season have been assisted by Rosales. The duo almost connected again in the 24th minute when they combined on a one-two to set up a Johnson shot from the top of the box. Johnson got the low shot past Pickens, but it bounced away off the far post.

Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning made his first start since suffering a hip injury on May 2. He made his first big stop in the 21st minute when Martin Rivero sent a strong shot from the top left corner of the box, but he punched it away for a corner kick.

In the 41st, the six-foot-five Austrian stopped back-to-back cross attempts, punching one away before leaping up to grab a dangerous attempt from Rivero. In the 76th minute, a wide-open Conor Casey got off a shot inside the box, but Gspurning made a diving save to protect the lead.

Sounders FC returns to action Thursday night with a CONCACAF Champions League match against Caledonia of Trinidad. The Rave Green return to MLS play next Sunday with a home match against the LA Galaxy. Both games kick off at 7:00 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Scoring Summary:

SEA – Eddie Johnson (Mauro Rosales) 2′

COL – Drew Moor (Brian Mullan) 3′

SEA – Osvaldo Alonso (Eddie Johnson, Alex Caskey) 65′

Seattle Sounders FC: Michael Gspurning, Adam Johansson, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, Leo Gonzalez, Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans (Marc Burch 83), Alex Caskey (Andy Rose 80), Eddie Johnson, Fredy Montero (Zach Scott 88).

Substitutes Not Used: Andrew Weber, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Cordell Cato, Sammy Ochoa.

TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Johnson 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Johnson 2); FOULS: 8 (Three players 2); OFFSIDE: 3 (Three players 1); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Rosales 1); SAVES: 3 (Gspurning 3).

Colorado Rapids: Matt Pickens, Drew Moor, Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall, Luis Zapata, Jeff Larentowicz, Martin Rivero, Joseph Nane (Wells Thompson 62), Omar Cummings (Kamani Hill 62), Conor Casey, Brian Mullan (Andre Akpan 81).

Substitutes Not Used: Steward Ceus, Hunter Freeman, Jaime Smith, Jaime Castrillon.

TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Casey 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Casey 2); FOULS: 12 (Larentowicz 4); OFFSIDE: 1 (Rivero 1); CORNER KICKS: 5 (Rivero 5); SAVES: 1 (Pickens 1).

Misconduct Summary:

None

Referee: Paul Ward

Referee’s Assistants: Kevin Duliiba, Chris Strickland

4th Official: Mark Declouet

Attendance: 13,816

Time of Game: 1:51

Weather: Cloudy and 77 degrees

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