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Seattle ousts San Francisco in extra time to reach CCL group stage

Jaqua - Getty


By CALEB SONNELAND

Nate Jaqua picked a perfect time to end his scoring drought as his 98th-minute, extra-time winner saw the Seattle Sounders top San Francisco FC and progress to the CONCACAF Champions League group stage as 2-1 aggregate winners in the preliminary round.

It took extra time to separate the two sides, and it was Jaqua who was the man to provide the definitive goal in the tie.  

The big striker was found by Alvaro Fernandez eight minutes into extra time and was able to control the ball before rifling it into the roof of the net for his second goal of the 2011 season in all competitions. The first came in Seattle's 3-1 victory over the LA Galaxy in the US Open Cup.

Before turning provider, Fernandez had initially put the hosts ahead in the 41st minute when he met a Leo Gonzalez cross with his head for a far post finish to bring his side level on aggregate. The Uruguayan is now on seven goals in all competitions in 2011, but his goal against San Francisco was his first in the Champions League this season season.

Having been defeated 1-0 from the penalty spot in the first leg of the CCL tie, Seattle had a tough time finding a way past San Francisco keeper Miguel Torres. Torres provided a number of top-drawer saves and put forth a man-of-the-match display, despite conceding two goals. Seattle finished the night with 35 shots (14 on target), and Torres finished the night with 12 saves.

The result means the Seattle Sounders advances to Group D in the CCL along with defending champion Monterrey, Comunicaciones and either Herediano or Alpha United.

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What did you think of the game? Do you think Seattle deserved to advance? Do you see the Sounders getting out of their group?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Eight months? No no no no—a thousand times no. Toronto FC went from FieldTurf to grass two winters ago. They started tearing up the FieldTurf in December and didn’t put down the sod until late March. Their home-opener was April 15 and the sod was properly rooted.

    Unless the Seahawks advance deep into the playoffs *with* home-field advantage, a similar schedule could work just fine for the Sounders. Worst-case scenario, Sounders could play the first two months on the road, as SKC just did. Or find a temporary home for a few games.

    Thing is, Seahawks still prefer FieldTurf, last I heard. But it’s not lasting anywhere near as long as promised, and it ain’t cheap to replace, so there’s hope they might be converted.

    Reply
  2. This.

    FYI there have been grass discussions. Unfortunately it would take 8 months to plant & let properly root, and with a MLS and NFL team playing there year round, its unlikely to happen.

    That’s the only reason they haven’t changed it, I’m sure of it. Both Sounders and Seahawks would prefer grass

    Reply
  3. Notice how the Panamanian players miraculously stopped getting hurt when they were no longer tied with us?

    Amazing how that works

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  4. christian miles continues to show an intense hatred for the english language. his extraordinary butchery, coupled with his desire to use phrases and words that’s he heard other, more sentient, humans use when describing a game of football is really…beyond words. ironically. last night i heard him say “fernandez again with the same turn, that’s really becoming predictable. great turn by fernandez there, great skill.”

    seriously.

    someone somewhere please do him a favor, replay a game with his commentary, then give him the seppaku sword and let him do the honorable thing? PLEASE? I’M BEGGING.

    Reply
  5. Uh did you watch the actual game against Real Esteli this week?

    We looked great.

    Last week id agree with you but we were leaps and bounds better this week

    Reply

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