On a night when the Seattle Sounders were looking for their first league win in nine matches, the Sounders not only found a way to beat an opponent in league play. They also welcomed back a player who had been sidelined for far too long.
Goals from Alvaro Fernandez and Eddie Johnson provided the difference in a 2-1 Seattle victory at CenturyLink Field on Saturday night, but the story of the night was Steve Zakuani. He returned to action for the first time since 2011, a stretch of 14 months since having his leg broken by a vicious tackle by Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan.
Zakuani's entered Saturday night's match with Seattle leading 2-1, and while he had some visible rust, he was also very active and put some pressure on Colorado's defense. His return was greeted by deafening applause from the CenturyLink Field crowd.
The Rapids looked to find an equalizer late in the match, but had a goal waved off by an offside call. Replays suggested that Colorado may have had a legitimate gripe about the no-call.
Johnson's goal eventually proved to be the game-winning goal, and after the final whistle blew Zakuani took part in an emotional scene as he traded jerseys with Mullan.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the match? Encouraged by Seattle's performance? Disappointed with Colorado's play in the first half? Think the offside call negating a late Colorado goal was a good call?
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