Sounders advance to Champions League quarterfinals

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras - Sounders FC advanced to the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-2 win over CD Marathon at Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Sammy Ochoa, Eddie Johnson, and Brad Evans scored goals as Seattle remained unbeaten (3-0-0, 9 points) in 2012-13 CCL play.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Seattle is now eight points ahead in Group 4, with just one game to play. Sounders FC will face Marathon (0-1-1, 1 point) again on October 24 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

The Sounders are bound for the CONCACAF Quarterfinals after a 3:2 victory over CD Marathon in Honduras. (Sounders FC photo)

Seattle got on the board first in the 11^th minute. Mario Martinez, playing in his home country, sent a cross from the left side that found Ochoa in a crowd, and the striker headed it past keeper Jose Mendoza for his team-leading third goal in CCL play. Ochoa has scored a goal in three straight CCL matches and the assist marks Martinez’s first point for Sounders FC.

Marathon equalized in the 34^th minute after being awarded a penalty kick when Mitchell Brown was taken down in the box by Michael Gspurning on a breakaway. Mario Berrios converted the penalty high and to the right, despite Gspurning getting his fingertips to it.

In the 62^nd minute, Andy Rose played a nice ball to Johnson in the box, who touched once, then fired a right-footed shot inside the near post to take a 2-1 lead. It was the first goal in CCL play for Johnson and the team-leading third assist for Rose.

Marathon was awarded another penalty kick in the 67^th minute when Patrick Ianni was whistled for a foul on Julian Rapalo in the box. Berrios converted again, this time to the left, to equalize for the second time.

Evans provided the game-winner in the 78^th minute. Osvaldo Alonso sent a long ball in the box and Evans skied above the defense to put a strong header into the back of the net. Both Evans and Alonso had come on as substitutes in the second half.

Brad Evans scored the late match-winner for Seattle. (Sounders FC photo)

Seattle has yet to allow a goal from the run of play in 2012-13 CCL play, as all four goals surrendered have come on penalties.

Marathon out-shot Sounders FC 20-7, but managed only five shots on goal. Michael Gspurning finished with three saves, including two stops at the end of the first half when he punched away a powerful shot from Randy Diamond and then plucked a hard shot from Rapalo out of the air.

The Rave Green return to action Saturday night when they host the league-leading San Jose Earthquakes. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Scoring Summary:

SEA – Sammy Ochoa (Mario Martinez) 11′

MAR – Mario Berrios (PK) 35′

SEA – Eddie Johnson (Andy Rose) 62′

MAR – Mario Berrios (PK) 67′

SEA – Brad Evans (Osvaldo Alonso) 78′

Seattle Sounders FC – Michael Gspurning, Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Marc Burch, Mario Martinez, Servando Carrasco, Andy Rose (Brad Evans 69), Alex Caskey (Osvaldo Alonso 61), Sammy Ochoa, Eddie Johnson (Fredy Montero 76).

Substitutes Not Used: Josh Ford, Jeff Parke, Leo Gonzalez, Osvaldo Alonso, Cordell Cato.

TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 19; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 3.

CD Marathon – Jose Mendoza, Mauritius Sabillon, Luis Castro, Pastor Martinez (Quiarol Arzu 77), Mario Berrios, Junior Sandoval (Cristhian Altamirano 46), Mariano Acevedo, Reinieri Mayorquin, Julian Rapalo, Mitchell Brown, Randy Diamond (Rony Flores 69). Substitutes Not Used: Shane Orio, David Meza, Tuliko Vega, Manuel De Jesus Dono. TOTAL SHOTS: 20; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 17; OFFSIDE: 5; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 0.

Misconduct Summary:

SEA – Servando Carrasco (caution) 26′

SEA – Michael Gspurning (caution) 34′

MAR – Luis Castro (caution) 42′

SEA – Patrick Ianni (caution) 67′

SEA – Zach Scott (caution) 72′

MAR – Reinieri Mayorquin (caution) 84′

Referee: Marlon Mejia

Referee’s Assistants: Hector Recinos, Goevany Garcia

4th Official: Ruben Medrano

Time of Game: 1:51

Weather: Partly cloudy and 81 degrees

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