Martins boosts Sounders to victory

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:34 am

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Obefemi Martins scored twice before his first-half dismissal, Lamar Neagle added the winner and the Seattle Sounders earned their league-high 10th victory, beating the Chicago Fire 3-2 Saturday night.

The Sounders (10-3-2) stopped Chicago's unbeaten streak. The Fire (2-4-8) had tied their last two matches.

Seattle midfielder Neagle scored on a screened shot from the left side to make it 3-1 in the 78th minute.

The Fire's Harry Shipp cut the lead to 3-2 four minutes later on his second goal of the night.

Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei stopped Juan Luis Anangono from 12 yards in the 88th minute to preserve the win.

Obefemi Martins had a very busy first half on Saturday night.
Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports

Martins, who had missed an open net in the fifth minute, beat Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 31st and 38th minutes. He was sent off for an altercation with the Fire's Benji Joya seconds after Shipp scored his first goal in the 41st minute.

Martins was dismissed after wrestling the ball away from Joya and knocking him to the turf. Joya got up holding his jaw as a major shoving match ensued. Martins was the second player sent off.

Chicago's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was ejected in the 37th minute for going after the ball and Martins with both feet in the air. Martins scored his second goal on the ensuing penalty kick.

Martins' first goal came from 10 yards out after he beat Fire defender Bakary Soumare to a loose ball after a deflection.

Shipp beat Frei for Chicago's first goal about 90 seconds after Martins' successful penalty kick.