Lamar Neagle brace fires Seattle Sounders to victory

The Seattle Sounders bounced back from their defeat last week to claim a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in their MLS clash.

The Rapids could have taken the lead in the third minute when Dillon Powers raided through the middle of the Sounders defence, but the midfielder's chipped effort came back off the post.

Seattle responded to the threat as they went up the field and took the lead when Lamar Neagle raided down the flank and cut back onto his right foot to drill his effort into the top corner.

Colorado nearly drew level when Powers escaped the attentions of his marker in the box to power a header at goal, but he was denied by an strong save by Stefan Frei.

The Rapids did equalise when they worked the ball well in the final third to create an opening for Gabriel Torres, and the forward maintained his composure to beat Frei from close range.

The visitors hit back immediately to retake the lead as Neagle played the ball out wide to Marco Pappa, who fired the ball into the middle and it bounced into the path of Neagle for him to finish past Clint Irwin.

Seattle pressed before the break in search of a third goal, but Pappa and Clint Dempsey were both denied by Irwin, who kept his side in the match.

In the second half, the Sounders put the game beyond the reach of the visitors as Obafemi Martins turned Bobby Burling with a smart piece of skill before firing home.

Colorado pushed late in the game, but Powers and Nick LaBrocca were both unable to hit the target as the Sounders held out for the three points.