Minnesota scores late to top Sounders 2-1

From the Sounders:

(St. Paul, MN) – The Sounders (5-6-8) lost the lead in the 78th minute in Minnesota Thursday night and fell behind minutes later in losing 2-1 to the Thunder.

A superb goal from Youssouf Kante in the 43rd minute was offset by goals from defender Brian Kallman and forward Melvin Tarley within three minutes of each other.

The Sounders now return home from a giant match-up Saturday night at Starfire with the league-leading Charleston Battery in a preview of next month’s U.S. Open Cup semi-final match to be played in Charleston, SC on August 12. Tickets for Saturday’s match at Starfire are still available at www.ticketmaster.com. Kick-off is set for 8:00 pm (PT).

Seattle came in off a disappointing 3-1 loss a week ago at Starfire to the Rochester Rhinos. The loss was their first ever in the USL regular season at Starfire and dropped the Sounders into a fifth place position in the USL-1 table.

The last place Thunder’s last win came two months ago to the day in a 3-1 victory over Miami FC; since that time they had lost six of ten league games including a 3-1 loss to the Sounders at Starfire on June 7. In the wake of their recent struggles, third year coach Amos Magee stepped down on Tuesday and was replaced by Assistant Coach Donny Gramenz.

With that in mind, the Sounders looked to jump on the Thunder early and nearly did in the 15th minute when Jason Cascio had a close range header go just high over the crossbar off a delivery from Leighton O’Brien on the right.

Seattle controlled most of the run of play in the first half. Cascio, making his third start of the season up front and first since June 1, was active in creating scoring opportunities taking three shots in the opening half.

But it was midfielder Youssouf Kante who put the Sounders on the board in spectacular fashion in the 43rd minute. Kante received a deflection on the left side of the midfield, took a couple touches and fired from 25 yards; the shot hit the far post and deflected in giving Seattle the 1-0 advantage. It was Kante’s first career goal as a Sounder.

Seattle went into the half looking firmly in control and with the lead.

Minnesota came out a different side in the second half and immediately put pressure on the Seattle backline.

Stephen deRoux created an open shot just outside the 18 yard box in the 50th minute that was saved well by Chris Eylander.

The game began to tighten up with 20 minutes to go. Neither side created clear chances and the game appeared to be sailing towards a Sounders victory, but in the 78th minute, the Thunder created a corner and on the ensuing kick, Ryan Kallman rose to meet Luchi Gonzalez’s delivery and head it into the back of the net.

Three minutes later Minnesota took advantage of the momentum swing and Melvin Tarley hammered in another goal to grab the 2-1 advantage over a stunned Sounders side.

In the game’s dying minutes, after the Sounders whipped in a flurry of balls desperately searching for the equalizer, Andre Schmid rose and headed the ball over to a waiting Sebastien Le Toux who scored, but the play was ruled offsides.

The loss leaves the Sounders in fifth place but with sixth place Portland playing later in the evening.

Sounders 1, Thunder 2

Game Summary:
Sea – Eylander; Sakuda, Jackson (Merl 58), Scott, Rodriguez; Treschuk (Besagno 45), Kante (Fishbaugher 84), Gardner, O’Brien; Cascio (Schmid 69), Le Toux.
Min – Platter; Greenfield, Arango, Kallman, Altman (Friedland 45); Weiler (O’Brien 66), Bass, Sanchez (Marcina 74), deRoux; Tarley (Moojen 85), Gonzalez.

Sea – Kante 43
Min – Kallman (Gonzalez) 78
Min – Tarley (deRoux) 81

Game Statistics:
Shots: Sea – 9, Min – 8.
Saves: Sea (Eylander) – 4, Min (Platter) – 2.
Fouls: Sea – 10, Min – 10.
Offsides: Sea – 3, Min – 9.
Corners: Sea – 3, Min – 8.

Cautions: None