Sounders claim Cascadia Cup with win over 'Caps

Vancouver, BC – Seattle Sounders FC added the Cascadia Cup 1 on Saturday.

It is the third time that Seattle has won the trophy, which has been awarded to the best team in the Pacific Northwest since 2004.

Camilo and Brad Evans traded first-half goals, but Fredy Montero bagged a brace in the second half to complete the come-from-behind win and seal three points for the Sounders.

Vancouver opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Camilo. Davide Chiumiento beat the offside trap before playing a square pass across the box to Camilo, who slotted his shot past Kasey Keller for his ninth goal of the year.

But the lead was short-lived, as Seattle equalized 11 minutes later on a penalty kick. A shot from Alvaro Fernandez was blocked in the box by the extended arms of Jay DeMerit, and Evans converted the spot kick to level the score.

Lamar Neagle came close to putting the Sounders ahead early in the second half, as he hit the crossbar with a right-footed shot from outside the box in the 48th minute.

Instead, it was Montero who forced the match in Seattle's favor with a pair of brilliant goals in quick succession.

Montero scored his first of the game in the 63rd minute, collecting a loose ball in the box. He cut the ball behind his foot before curling a left-footed shot into the upper corner.

Four minutes later, Montero struck again, receiving a pass from Evans and lashing an effort toward goal. The shot took a defection from DeMerit and looked like it was heading over the goal, but it quickly dipped below the crossbar.

The Whitecaps, who will open their new stadium BC Place on Sunday, Oct. 2 against the Portland Timbers, failed to mark their final match at Empire Field with a favorable result. They posted a 4-4-5 record at home at their first MLS stadium.

The Sounders, 54 points, take sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, moving ahead of Real Salt Lake. They have their sights set on claiming the MLS Supporters' Shield, trailing the Los Angeles Galaxy by seven points.

Seattle returns to regular season play on Oct. 1 against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.