Obafemi Martins scored the only goal of the game to fire the Seattle Sounders to victory over the San Jose Earthquakes to maintain their lead at the top of the MLS Western Conference.
The Sounders started the game on the front foot and Lamar Neagle tried his luck from distance and Jon Busch had to be alert as the effort was deflected, but he was able to make the comfortable save.
Minutes later, Seattle did take the lead as Gonzalo Pineda lifted a ball for Martins to chase and the striker latched onto the ball and lifted it over Busch and into the net from a tight angle.
The home side should have doubled their advantage as Kenny Cooper somehow missed the target from close range after Neagle had found him with a pinpoint cross into the box.
After the break, Busch kept his side in the game as he made a magnificent save to deny Neagle whose volley seemed destined for the bottom corner, but the keeper made a good reaction stop.
Busch denied Neagle again minutes later as the forward received the ball in the box with his back to goal. He then turned his man and fired a low shot towards the corner, but the keeper made a one-handed save.
Seattle continued to press for the second goal but were unable to beat Busch as Osvaldo Alonso became the latest player to be denied.
The midfielder's effort deflected off Shaun Francis, but between the keeper and the defender they managed to stop the ball crossing the line.
San Jose made a late effort to get an equaliser but were unable to carve out an opportunity as Seattle held out for the victory.
Simon Sinclair
