Sounders Win Another Shutout, 2-0
TACOMA - Maybe it's expecting too much to think the Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann will register a shutout every game. But he's close.
Hahnemann, just a rookie, recorded his fourth shutout in five games last night as the Sounders beat the Montreal Impact 2-0 in a American Professional Soccer League game at the Tacoma Dome.
The victory gave the Sounders (5-3) 44 points, trailing first-place Colorado. The Sounders will play Sunday in Vancouver, B.C.
Hahnemann, who has allowed just one goal this season, said he is foolish enough to think about a shutout before a game. Too chancy, he said.
"Every team has a chance at one or two goals, no matter who you're playing. I like to have two goals. And two aren't really all that big."
Midfielder David Hoggan, a 32-year-old Scotsman, scored the Sounders' biggest goal, with an assist from defender Wade Webber. Hoggan's score, his second of the season, came at 12:35.
After a throw-in, Hoggan passed to Webber on the left side of the goal box, then ran into a pack of Montreal defenders.
"Before I knew it, the ball was at my feet," Hoggan said. "Everybody stopped. You never stop. You're taught that as a child. I just hit it on target. It was one of those nightmares where you hope you don't hit it over the top (of the goal)."
With the Impact in a desperate position, forward Jason Dunn, a rookie from Seattle Pacific University, sealed the Sounders' victory
with his fifth goal of the season at 89:59.
Between goals, Hahnemann patrolled the goal like a sentry at a prison, especially as the Impact pressed for a score. Twice he smothered shots by Mauro Biello in front of the goal, the first with 15 minutes to play and the second with seven left.
Then Dunn's goal ended what Sounders Coach Alan Hinton described as ugly soccer.
"There were more tackles than in a football game," Hinton said.