Seattle defeats Impact

MONTREAL – Seattle Sounders FC survived the first half of Clint Dempsey’s suspension just fine Sunday, taking a 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact at Olympic Stadium.

With their highest-paid player sitting out the first of a two-game suspension handed down by Friday the MLS, the Sounders got the win by combining an own goal with the season’s first score by designated player Obafemi Martins and preserving it behind goalkeeper Stefan Frei’s second shutout of the season.

“We knew they were a team that lost their first two games,” veteran defender Djimi Traore said. “That could have affected their confidence.”

Seattle jumped ahead in the eighth minute when Gonzalo Pineda sent a free kick into the penalty area. Lamar Neagle headed the ball off the crossbar, and it rebounded down onto goalkeeper Troy Perkins and finally across the line.

Neagle initially was credited with the goal, but it was later ruled on own goal.