Sounders roll over New York 3-0 in spectacular debut

Fredy Montero, left, celebrates Seattle's first goal.

I am happy to report Sounders FC smashed the New York Red Bulls 3-0 Thursday night  before a national TV audience and an adoring, standing, singing, scarf-waving crowd of over 32,000 at Qwest Field.

Fredy Montero scored twice and midfielder Brad Evans tallied too as Seattle routed one of last year's MLS Cup finalists.

EXTRA COVERAGE: FANdemonium surrounds Sounders FC's debut in Seattle

The day was one Seattle soccer fans will long cherish. The return of top-level professional soccer was greeted like the return of a hero or a king. Before the match thousands and thousands of rave green clad supporters filled local pubs. When the "Sound Wave" band began to play the streets filled, and led by owner Drew Carey a sea of scarves held high bobbled up and down through Pioneer Square as the masses marched to Qwest Field.

Inside awaited a cauldron of noise, bright green, flags, huge Emerald City Supporters 'tifo' (giant banners and signs) and a pre-match ceremony to mark the occasion. Don Garber was given the first-ever 'Golden Scarf' by the Sounders, a new tradition of honoring a dignitary before the match.

Brad Evans is greeted by Sanna Nyassi after scoring the goal that put the Sounders up 2-0 in the first half.

See a giant, exclusive photo gallery from the match by Rick Morrison at GOALSeattle.com

It took the last expansion club, Toronto FC, five matches into their first season to score a goal. It took Seattle just under twelve minutes. An alert pass from the top of the penalty arc by Sebastien Le Toux found Fredy Montero on the right, and Montero slotted a low roller back to the opposite corner and past Red Bulls' goalkeeper Danny Cepero. It was noise, bedlam and bright green for many minutes after as the stadium exploded with joy.

The fans stood the entire match, refusing to let any of the initial excitement of the moment die away. In the 25th minute they would raise the roof again when Brad Evans made it 2-0 Seattle. Evans' quick decision to shoot surprised and beat Cepero 'nutmeg style' right between the 'keeper's legs on the left flank at a fairly sharp angle.

In the second half New York slowly fought their way back into the match. It was then that Kasey Keller quieted the Red Bulls but ignited the throng with several important saves.

Nate Jaqua jumps with New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero.

When Fredy Montero picked the back of theNew York defense for a one-on-one chance in the 75th minute a Seattle victory was assured, and so was the continuation of the raucus party. After the final whistle the players went to the supporters end, linked hands, and did the 'wave and bow' that has become famous in Europe and around the globe.

Seattle Sounders FC lived up to the hype in match one, and victory sent the giant green gang out into the Seattle night on a buzz worthy of a thirteen-year wait.

We'll have plenty of reflection on what happened, from the historic pre-match march to the wild celebrations after the win. We'll have photos, videos and more to share later today!

Sounders fans march from Pioneer Square to Qwest Field before Seattle's 3-0 victory over New York.

 Other match reports & coverage:

• Prost Amerika Soccer
• The Seattle Pitch
• Next Season Sports
• MLSnet.com 1, MLSnet.com 2
• The Olympian
• Tacoma News Tribune, TNT 2, TNT 3
• Seattle Times 1, Seattle Times 2, Seattle Times 3
• Seattle P-I 1, Seattle P-I 2, Seattle P-I 3
• Everett Herald
• Soccer By Ives
  
• GOAL.com: Stunning in Seattle
• GOAL.com: Triumphant Seattle basks in debut win
• Reuters
• Soccer America
• New York Soccer Examiner
• MLS Soccer Examiner
  
• NY Daily News
• Maine Press-Herald
• NY Times Blog