Fucito helps Sounders beat Comunicaciones 4-1

SEATTLE (AP) — Mike Fucito scored two goals in the second half and the 10-man Seattle Sounders beat Comunicaciones of Guatemala 4-1 in CONCACAF Champions League group play on Tuesday night.

Fucito put the Sounders in front 2-1 in the 61st minute when he took a pass from Fredy Montero and sent a shallow shot across the goalmouth and just inside the far post. That goal came about six minutes after Seattle Midfielder Lamar Neagle was sent off for a rugged tackle.

Fucito extended the lead in the 67th. Alvaro Fernandez sent a long pass down the left side and Fucito went around a Comunicaciones defender and drilled it into the far corner.

"I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunities and just doing what I can to help the team when given the opportunity," said Fucito, now with five goals and an assist in his last five Champions League games. "There were spells in the first half when we were getting some decent looks. We needed more movement and more opportunities. I thought Fredy played a great ball, and so did Flaco, and I was able to get in and finish."

Seattle's fourth score was an own goal in the 87th minute, when Rigoberto Gomez knocked the ball into his own net.

Juan Arreola scored just 81 seconds into the game for Comunicaciones and Brad Evans tied it for Seattle midway through the 35th minute.

Comunicaciones also finished down a man when Edgard Martinez got a red card in the 80th minute for a hard foul.

"Four goals — it's tough to explain," Comunicaciones coach Ivan Sopegno said. "The first half was excellent, and we had a good handle on the match. But the reality of football is like this. The other team became very precise and very fast. We knew if we left space for them behind, they would take the opportunity, and that's exactly what happened."

Fucito has played in 11 MLS games and started six for Seattle this season, but has not seen any league action since June 23 in a 4-2 victory against New York.

"Mike started for us in a series of games where we did well as a team and he had some moments," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. "Sometimes, you get in and out of form a little bit. But I thought his training had gotten a lot better of late, and I thought he deserved the chance to get out there and play."

source: http://news.yahoo.com/fucito-helps-sounders-beat-comunicaciones-4-1-043704589.html