Sounders get off to early lead, win

CARSON, Calif. – The Seattle Sounders wanted to crush any Chivas USA upset hopes early Wednesday, and they did that, streaking to a four-goal lead in the first 42 minutes before finishing with a 4-2 win at StubHub Center.

The Sounders went into the match with back-to-back wins, and they extended that to three while increasing their lead atop Major League Soccer.

Chivas had come in on a seven-game winless streak, and that was extended, too. However, Marco Delgado’s goal in the 51st minute ended a 596-minute scoreless streak for the Goats.

Obafemi Martins and Andy Rose each had two goals for the Sounders.

Seattle opened the scoring in the 11th minute, when Brad Evans sent a corner kick into the box, where Chad Marshall fought to redirect it forward and Martins knocked it in from a few yards out.

Martins scored again 5 minutes later, finishing a break that began with Clint Dempsey knocking a ball wide to Lamar Neagle behind the Chivas defense. Neagle sent the ball over to Martins who scored.