O'Brien's return lifts Sounders over Miami 3-0

The Seattle Sounders' two-week league break is over. So is the extended absence of injured midfielder Leighton O'Brien. The two streaks converged at Starfire Sports Stadium on Saturday night as Seattle beat Miami FC Blues 3-0.

#11 Kevin Forrest celebrates Sebastien Le Toux's goal.
(Rick Morrison)

It was a sporadic first half with Seattle controlling the play but rarely creating scoring opportunities. Finally in the 33rd minute Seattle went up 1-0 when O'Brien was called upon to convert a penalty kick call. Sebastien Le Toux had been tripped in the box by Miami goalkeeper Josh Saunders after an open net scramble.

In the second half Miami lapsed further and Seattle gained full control. Kenji Treschuk slid a cross along the left side of the end line in the 49th minute. Le Toux timed his approach just right and kicked in the assist from short range.

This O'Brien strike made it 3-0 Sounders.
(Rick Morrison)

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It was O'Brien who capped off the scoring and his return with a nice goal right down the gut of the Miami defense. Leighton's 77th-minute well-placed shot glanced off the inside of the left post and neatly in to make the Final 3-0 Sounders.

Nice weather also returned to the Sounders' scene. After two matches in the wind, cold and rain of August, September brought sun and mild temperatures.

“I felt like before I got injured, I was playing very well,” O’Brien told SeattleSounders.net. “I’ve been dying for a month to play. There’s only a few games left, so the intensity has to step up. That’s three (wins) in a row for us against good teams (counting the Earthquakes exhibition).”

Sounders FC midfielder Sanna Nyassi saw late action and impressed with his speed.
(Rick Morrison)

Recent Sounders FC signing Sanna Nyassi came on late and impressed with his speed and hustle. “I think I was telling you he was quick. But he’s lightning quick,” Schmetzer said afterwards.

The victory, their second straight on a season-ending seven-game homestand, put the Sounders on the brink of post season position. At 10-8-9 with 39 points, Seattle climbed into fourth place in the United Soccer Leagues First Division standings, and can make it official by beating Montreal on Wednesday at Starfire.

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