Sounders score four to beat Atlanta

Moment of impact

Photographer Dr. Larry Maurer catches Zack Kirby's elbow to the face of Le Toux.

Sebastien Le Toux stays down after an elbow to the head resulted in a red card against Atlanta and a penalty kick call for Seattle. Leighton O'Brien scored the pk and Le Toux eventually returned to the match.
(David Falk photo)

Match photos from Dr. Larry Maurer HERE.
Get a flavor for the night in David's gallery HERE.
Jenni's action shots now online HERE!

The Seattle Sounders found the back of the net four times on Sunday night at Starfire to whip Atlanta Silverbacks 4-2 in a reprise of the 2007 USL-1 Championship Final also held in Tukwila.

Sebastien Le Toux started brightly for Seattle, scoring after 68 seconds had passed. It was 2-2 at the half after Atlanta drew level twice. Josh Gardner's follow-up had given the Sounders a 2-1 advantage only to have the 'Backs even it up less than a minute later.



Le Toux was elbowed in the box in in the 50th minute, resulting in a pk call against Atlanta and a red card ejection for Zack Kirby. The play was one of those in the box headers where elbows are flying. A pk? Yes. A red card? I don't think it was warranted. Leighton O'Brien finished the chance to regain the lead for Seattle, 3-2.

Josh Gardner headed home the final Seattle goal after another scramble in front of the Atlanta net. While Levesque was in the box grabbing his head Josh kept on playing and the Silverbacks defense watched as the ball floated into the goal and the referee signaled towards the center circle in the 70th.

Le Toux's second-minute stunner is celebrated.
(Jenni Conner)

Youssouf Kante played well for Seattle, providing a real spark on the attack and assisting on Le Toux's goal. He came out early after a knock, but reports to be OK.

The Sounders were better offensively on the night, scoring four goals in one match after they had only scored four in their previous five matches combined. Seattle now moves to W-2 D-3 L-1 on the season with 9 points. The Sounders travel to Vancouver to play the Whitecaps on Friday in a match televised on Fox Soccer Channel at 8:00 PM.

Match reports:
Here's the Sounders club match report.
The Seattle Pitch
Seattle Times
Seattle P-I
Atlanta Silverbacks