Tyrone Mears strikes late winner to hand Seattle Sounders win over DC United

Tyrone Mears scored an 89th-minute winner to guide the Seattle Sounders to a 1-0 victory over DC United in their MLS clash this evening.

The home side started the match strongly as Lamar Neagle raided forward into the box, but his left-footed strike crashed off the post and went wide.

The Sounders pushed forward in numbers again and Thomas was given space and time to strike an effort at goal from outside the box, but his shot was saved by Andrew Dykstra.

DC were reduced to 10 men in the 27th minute when Fabian Espindola was sent off for a poor challenge on Sounders defender Zach Scott.

Neagle almost handed Seattle the lead just before the break when he fired at goal after latching on to Chad Barrett's knockdown, but his effort went just wide of the post.

The Sounders maintained the pressure in the second half when Thomas collected a pass from Neagle, but his low drive went inches past the post.

Chad Barrett became the next Seattle player to spurn an opening when he put his header over the bar from close range after latching on to Mears's cross from the right.

United looked to have held out for a point, but Mears struck in the dying minutes of the match as he raced onto a loose ball in the box and drilled a strike into the top corner to secure the win for the home side.