The Seattle Sounders haven't been playing their best of late and weren't near their best on Thursday night in their 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League opener, but it didn't matter. They were still much better than their opponents from Trinidad and Tobago, Caledonia, and walked away with a comfortable 3-1 win at CenturyLink Field.
After a slow start, Seattle began to find their footing and then found their way onto the scoreboard in the 19th minute. Sammy Ochoa did the honors, curling a shot low and beating Glenroy Samuel and giving the Sounders a lead.
The Sounders' second goal was a peach, with Cordell Cato doing the bulk of the work with a clever run that unlocked the Caledonia defense. Eventually, he fed Andy Rose, who crossed for the unmarked Fredy Montero to back heel into the empty net for a 2-0 lead.
Before the halftime whistle could go, Seattle added one more goal. Rose, who had assists on the first two goals and played very well all night, hopped on a free rebound and knocked it home in the 43rd minute, essentially turning out the lights on Caledonia.
A penalty that was iffy at best gave Caledonia a second half goal and in a three-team group with only the group winner advancing, that goal could become a big deal if it goes to goal difference, but it didn't threaten the outcome. Seattle was far and away the better side, even if they weren't close to top form, and got all three points to show for it.
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