Sounders blank Caps 2-0
Saturday, August 19, 2006
SEATTLE, WA -- The Seattle Sounders defeated the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 at Qwest Field, their second consecutive win as they make their push for the post season.
 Sounder Midfielder Leighton O'Brien recorded a goal and an assist in the contest as Goalkeeper Chris Eylander completed his fifth shutout of the season. The win over Vancouver puts the Sounders back into the playoff mix and secured the Northwest's Cascadia Cup.
The Sounders took the lead in the 32nd minute when Midfielder Andrew Gregor scored his third goal of the season. O'Brien played a free kick over the top into the box where Gregor tipped the ball over his defender into open space. With a left footed strike, Gregor slipped the ball inside the far post for the 1-0 lead.
While Cuban Forward Maykel Galindo was held scoreless he created the Sounders' second goal of the night, stealing the ball from a Vancouver defender just outside the Vancouver box. Galindo then found Cam Weaver streaking toward the goal. About 10 yards out after Weaver's first touch Vancouver goalkeeper Tony Caig charged Weaver and as a result up ended Weaver for the foul and a penalty kick. O'Brien took the PK opportunity, and delivered giving the Sounders the 2-0 victory.
Eylander recorded seven saves, earning his fifth shutout of the season. O'Brien was booked in the 56th minute after a hard foul. The yellow card caution was his eighth of the season and will now have to serve a two-game league imposed suspension in the heart of the Sounders' playoff push.
The victory gave the Sounders the 3rd Annual Cascadia Cup. The Cascadia Cup is an annual derby between the Sounders, Whitecaps and Portland Timbers. Head to head matches are tallied and awarded points based upon wins and draws. This is the first Cascadia Cup for the Sounders, the Whitecaps have won the first two annual awards.
The Sounders face the Minnesota Thunder in their next match at Qwest Field on Friday, August 25th. Kick of is scheduled for 7pm. Tickets are available online at www.seattlesounders.net.
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