Montero's 'meteor' highlights Sounders 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake at Qwest Field

Seattle Sounders FC remain undefeated at two matches after a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake before a sell-out crowd of over 28,000 crazed fans at Qwest Field Saturday night. (Photos) (Fans, players continue to build bond) (Montero again up for "Goal of the Week")

Nate Jaqua scored his first Seattle goal in the 17th minute and Fredy Montero blasted a 'meteor' shot late on that energized the crowd in the 77th and gave the Sounders some breathing room.

Fredy Montero winds up for his 77th minute longe-range strike.

Meteor! The goal is scored and Fredy is off to celebrate. (Jenni Conner photos)

“It was definitely a goal against the run of play," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said when describing Montero's third goal of the young season. " At that point, they were dominating play. You got to come up with some individual efforts and plays, and that’s what Fredy gave us. He just hit a ball, I don’t know if it got deflected a little bit, but he hits such a heavy ball, and the thing moves. I think it caught [Nick] Rimando thinking, ‘Hey, it’s going to come this way,’ and it bent over him the other way. But certainly that goal took a lot of pressure off of us. Kasey had come up with some big saves right prior to that. It allowed us to be able to relax a little bit, even though I don’t think we ever looked relaxed in the second half.”

Real Salt Lake certainly had more possession than New York did last week, and gave the Sounders more to think about. RSL were unable to convert their chances, though.

“We came in here with the right mentality and attitude and fought. It was one of those games were both teams fought and they did a good job pressuring us," said Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimondo. "They are good team and we knew that coming in and they proved it. We came in here trying to get a result; it didn’t fall for us this time. I’m not mad or sad because I think we gave it are all out effort.”

Montero is quickly becoming a fan favorite at Qwest Field. His third goal in two matches at the stadium was followed by another "El Moto" celebration that involves kick-starting an invisible motorcycle. “I will plan as much variety as I can (in his celebrations). I hope to score many goals to put them to test," Montero said via a translator after the match. "I’m very happy to be scoring this goal, the main thing to remember is this is a group effort. There were great fans here today, and it is about showing the connection with the fans.”

“It was a great pass from [Osvaldo] Alonso and I carried the ball to just outside the box. When I noticed my defender was in position and I realized I had space and I arranged a strong shot. Thank god it went in.”

The Sounders will play their first road match next Saturday April 4th when they travel to face Toronto FC.

Match Report Links

• Montero, Seattle spoil RSL's opener (MLSnet.com)
• A second dose of Fredy / Freddie Fever (Prost Amerika Soccer)
• SFC blanks Real, 2-0 (SoundersFc.com)
  
• Sounders beat Real Salt Lake, 2-0 (Seattle P-I)
• Ljungberg debuts in Sounders' 2-0 win (AP/ Greg Bell)
• Scoreless in Seattle (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Sounders are Real (Seattle Pitch)
• Second game, second win for Sounders (TNT)
• Sounders swarm shoes first game was no fluke (P-I)
• Montero strikes again (Seattle Sports Online)
• Ljungberg hits the pitch (Seattle Sports Online)
• Seattle Sports Online match photo gallery
• Montero the toast of teammates, coaches (Andrew Winner)
• Player ratings from Prost Amerika Soccer
• SounderAtHeart.com Stats Tracking