CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — David Estrada scored the lone goal of a 1-0 win for the Seattle Sounders over Chivas USA on Saturday during a preseason match at Grande Sports World.
Estrada finished off a close-range opportunity set up by passing from Lamar Neagle and Jonathan Prieto, after Chivas USA largely subbed out their set of starters who controlled much of the flow before departing.
[inline_node:327853]Chivas USA started a group primarily made up of veterans. Blair Gavin (right) had a good chance for Chivas USA with a long shot, and Victor Estupiñan, playing as a winger for the first time this preseason, headed another opportunity just wide. Gersen Mayen also blasted a shot over the bar from 10 yards out after a nifty setup from Gavin.
Throughout the first half, the Sounders struggled to gain meaningful possession. An experimental lineup saw Fredy Montero up top alongside Michael Fucito, with Alvaro Fernandez occupying Erik Friberg’s central midfield position, pushing the Swede out right. Seattle were rarely able to find Fernandez or Montero’s feet in the attack, but on one rare occasion where the two were able to combine, Montero squeezed a ball through to Fucito at the top of the box, who quickly turned and one-timed a hard shot right at goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
Despite the result, it was Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser who left the game smiling after his Starting XI dominated the opening 60 minutes of the match. Defensively, they were solid, moving as a unit and communicating effectively.
Seattle rookie and Generation adidas selection Michael Tetteh came on in the second half along with fellow rookie Servando Carrasco and club regular Roger Levesque, who once again played on the defensive line at right back.
Scoring Summary:
SEA – David Estrada (Miguel Montaño, Jonathan Prieto) 75’
Caution Summary:
SEA – Tyson Wahl (caution) 30’
CHV – Zarek Valentin (caution) 56’
Chivas USA Lineup
First 60’: Zach Thornton, Zarek Valentin, Jimmy Conrad, Michael Umaña, Jimmy Conrad, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud, Blair Gavin, Gerson Mayén, Victor Estupiñan, Francisco Mendoza, Alan Gordon
Final 30’: Sergio Arias, Jimmy Asprilla, Andrew Boyens, Trialist, Jorge Flores, Ben Zemanski, Guillermo Torres, Mariano Trujillo, Jesús Padilla, Sal Zizzo, Chukwudi Chijindu
Seattle Sounders FC
First half: Kasey Keller, James Riley, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tyson Wahl, Danny Earls, Alvaro Fernandez, Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg, Steve Zakuani, Fredy Montero, Mike Fucito
Second half: Terry Boss, Roger Levesque, Zach Scott, Leone Cruz, Michael Tetteh, Lamar Neagle, Servando Carrasco, Jonathan Prieto, Miguel Montaño, David Estrada, Seedy Bah
