Top Stories

Sounders rout Crew to boost playoff hopes

Sounders
 

By JOHN BOSCHINI

When it rains it pours for Blaise Nkufo. The Swiss international's first goal for Seattle turned into a hat trick as the Sounders trounced the Columbus Crew 4-0 Saturday night at Crew Stadium.

Nkufo got the scoring started early, putting home a rebound in the fourth minute to give the Sounders an early lead. Columbus pressed forward searching for an early equalizer, forcing a few class saves from Kasey Keller but Nkofu added his second in the 39th minute with a low shot into the corner. Five minutes later, Sanna Nyassi was taken down inside the box by Danny O'Rourke and a penalty was given. Nathan Sturgis put home the spot kick and the Sounders took a 3-0 lead into the break.

Nkufo completed his hat trick half an hour into the second half, sending many of the 17,000 Crew fans home early. Kasey Keller kept his tenth clean sheet of the season.

The win moves the Sounders to 36 points, five clear of ninth place Toronto FC, further cementing their playoff position. Seattle is 6-1-3 in their last 10 games and don't face another team currently in a playoff spot for the rest of the season. Columbus were unable to take advantage of New York's midweek draw and now hold a slim, three-point lead in the Eastern Conference. The Crew also sit six points behind the Galaxy in the race for the Supporters Shield following L.A.'s victory over D.C. United. It was the first four-goal defeat for the Crew since 2007, when they lost 4-0 to the New York Red Bulls. 

Comments

  1. Obviously you’ve never seen Nyassi shoot. It was never a goal -scoring opportunity 🙂

    Seriously though, I’m not sure it was a last-man situation. He grabbed him but didn’t really drag him down. I could have seen a yellow pulled but it all turned out well for the Sounders.

    Reply
  2. Anyone know why the referee did not issue a red card on the foul by O’Rouke that resulted in the PK? It was a last man situation and a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

    Reply
  3. I guess I got hit for defending you, better because your post was relevant and I was complaining about that it got deleted. Funny Ives…. :-p

    Anyways I agree, bur I think that Donovan will get it, because it is voted on by fans I think. I am hap N’kufo is finding the back of the net now

    Reply
  4. Wow, I have never been hit by a moderator before. I certainly hope no one took serious offense at the way I pointed out a small spelling error. I was just funnin’, giddy with excitement over a 4-0 Sounders thrashing of the Crew.

    And I still think N’Kufo deserves player of the week, definitely over Donovan who did his thing against a last place team with nothing really on the line for either team.

    I can see DeRosario slipping in considering the context of his goals, but I’ll stick to my original opinion that hat tricks are rare and doing it on the road against the top team in the east warrants the award.

    Reply
  5. Not sure how NKufo scored one, much less three goals.

    And

    Not sure how Seattle beat Columbus, although the Crew had trouble with the speed the wings.

    BUT I will take and it and hope for more on Oct 5th !!! The wings will have looked slow last night compared to the turf at QWest.

    Reply
  6. Really suprised by the result but Seattle did play well. I think Seattle will probably pass catch either San Jose or Colorado. Hopefully both so that the Red Bulls don’t have to play them in the 1st round

    Reply
  7. If you’re a Crew fan you have to be little concerned by their recent run of form at this critical point in the season. Of course they’re not in danger of missing the playoffs, but this is not the way you want to finish the season if you’re looking to rally the troops for a strong playoff campaign.

    Reply
  8. Definitely surprised by the result tonight, but honestly, Seattle was due for a game like this, and Columbus was pretty poor (although Keller did make a couple of really fine saves).

    Really happy for N’Kufo. I couldn’t believe Nate Sturgis took the penalty, but good for him for scoring.

    Reply
  9. I’m excited to catch it on FSNW tomorrow. Living in Portland is rough for a Seattle Fan.
    Nkufo has been doing some great things for Seattle even though he hadn’t scored before this game. I like how well he compliments Montero, allowing Montero to sit just behind the striker and receive balls from Nkufo who seems to win every long ball lobbed his way.

    Hopefully we can repeat this performance come Open League Championship.

    Reply
  10. Ahem, The Sounders ROUT Crew not Route, but no matter how you spell it, it was a grate knight four the Sownders!!

    Not sure why Ives thinks Nkufo isn’t a front runner for player of the week. While Acknowledging both De Rosario and Landon had dramatic late goals to steal wins, Nkufo made sure no late dramatics were necessary with two gorgeous strikes and a hat trick on the road against the top team in the east.

    I’m obviously biased but hat tricks are rare in MLS. I think Nkufo wins

    Reply

Leave a Comment