The Sounders, without Captain Danny Jackson, who suffered a bruised heel in Wednesday night’s U.S. Open Cup match against Chivas USA, were able play solid first half defense even though the sun was trying to cause havoc. Eylander had another outstanding performance denying the Rhinos first half opportunities.

The match opened up in the 15th minute and started to produce end to end action between the two squads with Rochester’s Johnny Menyongar and Sounders forward Greg Howes exchanging opportunities.

Greg Howes capitalized on a Kevin Sakuda free kick in the 38th minute to put the Sounders on the board just before half time. Sakuda’s free kick was set up just inside the Rhinos defensive half of the field, the ball was knocked down by Zack Scott to Roger Levesque’s feet who passed it off to Howes. Howes with his back to the goal spun around the Rhinos defender for the point blank shot from just inside the 6 yard box. This goal is Howes fourth of the season and his second against his former team.

Minutes later in an attempt to tie the game before the half, Hamed Diallo drove a shot off a picture perfect bicycle kick just inside the 6 yard box, the shot went wide.

The second half began in much the same manner as the first with Seattle and Rochester playing end to end action. Le Toux ran onto an open ball eight yards in front of goal in the 47th minute, but Rhinos goalkeeper Nuno Santos was able to get to it first.

The equalizer for the Rhinos came in the 52nd minute as corner kick from Kevin Novak dropped into the 18 yard box where Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar and P.J. Scheufele battled for possession. Scheufele was able to get his right foot on the ball and slot it just past Eylander for his first goal of the season. The Sounders answered back in the 55th minute with a goal from Roger Levesque. Levesque shot a bending ball from the top of the 18 into the top left corner to put the Sounders ahead 2-1.

The tying goal from the Rhinos came in the 74th minute when Rey Martinez dropped a ball into the 6 yard box. Eylander came diving off his line and Hamed Diallo was able to sneak the ball under his outstretched arms. The Sounders struck back in the 80th minute when a free kick by Leighton O’Brien 25 yards out on the left side of the goal connected with Alcaraz-Cuellar for the third Seattle goal of the night and a 3-2 lead.

Rochester threatened to tie the match in the 90th minute when Josh Bolton slotted a pass through to Johnny Menyongar. Menyongar drove the ball past Eylander for what could have been the equalizer, but the goal was called back for off sides.

Next up for Seattle is an exhibition match against Preston North End at Qwest Field on Monday, July 23rd at 7 PM. Visit www.seattlesounders.net for more information.

Scoring Summary:
SEA: Howes (Levesque) 38, SEA: Levesque 55, Alcaraz-Cuellar 80
ROC: Scheufele 52, Diallo 74

Line Ups:
Seattle: Eylander, Merl, Scott, Graham, Sakuda, O’Brien (Besagno 90), Treschuk, Levesque (Rivera 82), Gardner (Alcaraz-Cuellar 45), LeToux, Howes

Rochester: Santos, Aloisi, Burns, Diallo, Menyongar, Novak, Severs, Palguta (Bolton 47), Kramer, Shirley-Black (Wileman 83), Scheufele