Keller broke the MLS record for scoreless
minutes, racking up 389. Aaron Weinberg / NSS
With goalkeeper Kasey Keller returning, the Sounders snapped a two-game losing streak by winning 2-0 with goals coming from Steve Zakuani (42’) and Brad Evans (50’) against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Without team captain Keller in net, the Sounders conceded three goals without scoring one. With Keller on the pitch, the Sounders are undefeated, recording four shutouts while scoring nine.
Coincidence?
To Continue...
“[Keller] is one of those guys that when you look back on goal, he just has a presence about him that you say, ‘We're OK,’” head coach Sigi Schmid said earlier this week. “And anytime you can put that on the field it helps your team."
Keller recorded his fourth shutout, making five saves and broke the MLS record for longest scoreless streak with 389 minutes. He missed last game after he was red carded in the 29th minute against the Kansas City Wizards two weeks ago.
Forward Zakuani didn’t disappoint either, starting in place of Sebastien Le Toux. He netted his second goal of the season at the end of the first half in the 42nd minute.
Zakuani scored his second
goal of the season.
Aaron Weinberg / NSS
“I think today, it was weird, it felt like a new start for us because we’ve been away from home and we came back and we knew we lost two games,” Zakuani said. “Get the goals, and it’s a good night’s work.”
Zakuani consistently burned defenders on the left side as he often out-dribbled, out-maneuvered, and out-ran opponents.
Evans added the clincher early in the second half off a Zakuani pass as Evans streaked along the right side all alone.
Zakuani was subbed-out in the 67th minute. He has been working on his conditioning after sitting out for much of the preseason with an ankle injury.
"I’m working hard to get back, playing in reserve games when I can," Zakuani said. "And I think for 60 minutes today, I put in good work, and it was definitely time for me to leave at that point and insert some fresh legs."
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
