The Seattle Sounders continued to gather momentum with a comfortable 3-0 win over English Premier League Club West Ham United Tuesday Night at Century Link Field in a midweek International Friendly. Hercule Gomez bagged the opening goal and rookie sensation Jordan Morris continued his torrid scoring streak with a second half brace.
Both teams rolled out line ups that where mixed with regulars, new signees and role players with caution being the operative word. For West Ham it was their first match after a few days of pre season training while the Sounders are in midseason shape and had their eyes on Saturdays mammoth home clash with the LA Galaxy.
Gomez’s converted penalty kick gave the home side the 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute after he was brought down in box by West Ham defender Adrian. The Sounders were able to preserve the lead and went into the locker room with the goal advantage.
West Ham coach Slaven Bilic made ten changes at the break, and the infusion of the fresh players energized the Hammers attack. New signees Sofiane Feghouli and Antonio Martinez had good looks at the Seattle goal and looked to have tied the game in the 53rd but substitute goal keeper Tyler Miller came up big to deny Martinez’s right footed blast.
Rookie sensation Jordan Morris poked home a loose ball in the box to double the home sides lead in the 70th minute when the Hammers substitute keeper Raphael Spiegel was unable to contain Oalex Anderson’s shot which bounced off his chest to the lurking Morris.
Morris latched onto Joevin Jones pass one minute later and put the home side high and dry when he blasted home a right footed shot past the Hammers Spiegel for his second goal of the game and the Sounders third. Morris became the second player in Sounders FC history to score two goals in an international friendly. Fredy Montero struck twice in a 4-2 loss to Chelsea FC in 2012. Morris leads the Sounders with six league goals.
“I feel like I’ve just gained more confidence. At the beginning of the season it was tough and had to come in and learn, it’s a new environment and new level of play obviously. It took a little bit of adjusting but now I feel more confident,” Morris said after the game.” I feel more comfortable in the locker room and know the guys really well, so all of that kind of helps with play on the field as well.”
Tuesday nights match was the 10th international friendly in club history and the fifth instance in which Sounders FC has hosted an English Premier League side at CenturyLink Field. The victory was the first against an English side, as the Rave Green move to 3-5-2 all-time in international friendly competition. Sounders FC are now unbeaten in their last three international friendlies, following draws against Club Tijuana (2015) and Tottenham Hotspur (2014).
Line Ups
Booked: Alfaro, Kovar
Booked: Browne, Henry
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