Seattle Sounders ease to victory over New England Revolution

Clint Dempsey scored twice as the Seattle Sounders kicked off the new season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution.

Seattle dominated possession for long spells, but they didn't get the chance to break the deadlock until midway through the first half as the influential Dempsey collected the ball in the box before going down under a challenge from Juan Agudelo.

Dempsey took on the responsibility from 12 yards and the former Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur forward made no mistake as he powered the penalty past Bobby Shuttleworth.

Stefan Frei made a vital save to keep the hosts in front when Kelyn Rowe was gifted the space to unleash a powerful strike from 25 yards.

It was Seattle who finished the first half the stronger of the two sides to double their lead through Obafemi Martins, who met an inch-perfect cross from Tyrone Mears with a powerful header at the near post.

New England enjoyed a spell on top after the break, but last season's beaten finalists struggled to cause problems for the Sounders defence.

As a result, Seattle managed to cruise to the win with another goal from Dempsey when Martins sprinted through before setting up his strike partner for the easiest of finishes from close range to wrap up the victory.