Levesque scores winner for Sounders at RFK
At times, the attacking soccer Thursday at RFK Stadium, most of it put forth by a resurgent D.C. United, blatantly defied the oppressive heat and humidity.
But only the Seattle Sounders showed their cool in the end in stealing another victory at RFK Stadium, this time a 1-0 decision courtesy of Roger Levesque's 89th minute backpost header.
The Sounders had grabbed wins in each of their two visits to the District in their inaugural season in MLS last year.
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D.C. United (3-10-3) suffered its second loss in its last seven games, putting a damper on its first home game in league play since early June.
Former U.S. national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller was the hero for the Sounders (5-8-4), denying a close-range header by Pablo Hernandez in his United debut in the 67th minute and deflecting Santino Quaranta's blistering strike nine minutes later.
Keller also had a scary moment in the 65th minute, when he charged out of the box to converge with Andy Najar for a loose ball. Both players slid, and Keller appeared to have turned his knee but realized he was okay after Quaranta's lob toward the net was headed out by Patrick Ianni.
D.C. United took to its usual route for its first real chance, absorbing a Seattle corner kick and springing Najar and Quaranta on the counterattack. Quaranta's spin put through the 17-year-old, but Keller got down quickly for the save.
Seattle also had plenty of opportunities, with Fredy Montero testing United keeper Troy Perkins from distance twice and Steve Zakuani missing the net on a number of shots.
After a nifty buildup by United, Stephen King forced Keller to sprawl to his right for the best save of the first half in the 19th minute. Najar also missed wide of the near post and saw his dipping cross just before halftime nodded just wide by a lunging Jaime Moreno, who made just his fourth start of the year and first since May 22.