The Sounders victory extended their winning streak to three games and snapped a two game losing streak to their Pacific Northwest rival Vancouver. In what is becoming a familiar winning formula, the Sounders won 1-0 on a Le Toux goal for the second consecutive match and fourth time this season.

Scoring chances were few and far between early in the match as back and forth midfield possession dominated the play between two teams with defenses ranked in the top five of USL First Division.

Midfielder Josh Gardner produced the first opportunity of the game in the 5th minute when he cut inside and drew a foul just outside of the penalty box. The Sounders could not get on the end of Leighton O’Brien’s free kick and the Vancouver defense cleared the ball.

Forward Sebastien Le Toux single-handedly broke the dead-lock in the 24th minute when he beat Vancouver goalkeeper Richard Goddard with a chip for a 1-0 lead for the Sounders. The impressive individual effort began when Le Toux stole a loose ball 40 yards from goal and then out-raced two Vancouver defenders for his fifth goal of the season.

Vancouver immediately responded to the Sounders goal in the 25th minute when Whitecaps Midfielder Tony Donatelli found space at the top of the Sounders box and cracked a shot. Goalkeeper Chris Eylander dove to his left and blocked the effort, preserving the Sounders lead.

The game remained a defensive battle in the second half.

The Sounders new backline of Taylor Graham, Danny Jackson and Noah Merl stifled the Vancouver attack and shut down 2006 USL MVP and Washington native Joey Gjertsen. Seattle took advantage of the absence of USL First Division leading scorer Eduardo Sebrango-Rodriguez to continue the Whitecaps recent offensive misery. The Whitecaps have scored one goal in its last five matches.

Greg Howes produced the Sounders best offensive effort of the second half with a blistering shot from the top of the box in the 83rd minute that the Vancouver goalkeeper tipped away.

The Sounders held off a late Vancouver offensive charge to win a match-up between the past two USL champions. Eylander made six saves for his seventh shutout of the season and fifth in his last six games.

The Sounders next match is a U.S. Open Cup third round match against Chivas USA of Major League Soccer on July 18 at 7 PM. The Sounders also have its annual Kids’ Day next Tuesday July 17. For more information call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

Scoring Summary

Lineups

SEA: Chris Eylander, Danny Jackson, Noah Merl, Taylor Graham, Kevin Sakuda, Kenji Treschuk, Josh Gardner (Gabe Sturm 88), Leighton O’Brien (Roger Levesque 60), Hugo Alcaraz-Cueller, Sebastien Le Toux, Greg Howes (Andre Schmid 83) VAN: Richard Goddard, Jeff Clarke, Steve Klein, Adrian Cann (Dave Morris 83), Martin Nash, Steve Kindel, Dave Testo (Jason Jordan 59), Geordie Lyall (Lyle Martin 66) (Jay Alberts 88), Tony Donatelli, Joey Gjertsen (Jason McLaughlin 59), Diaz Kambere

Shots – SEA:5 VAN:10

Saves – SEA:6 VAN:1

Fouls – SEA:8 VAN:12

Offsides – SEA:5 VAN:1

Corners – SEA:5 VAN:2

Cautions – Lyall (15), Treschuk (50), Howes (63), Donatelli (76)

Ejections –

Attendance – 2,263