Midfielders lead Sounders to shutout

Andrew Gregor looked like a spry rookie again. The 30-year-old midfielder didn't show any of the rust of his nine-year pro-soccer career.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, who released Gregor before the 2004 season even started, brought out the best in the Seattle Sounders' old man of the midfield.

Gregor scored the team's first goal and ran the field well for a full 90 minutes as the Sounders turned back the Whitecaps 2-0 and showed they deserve a spot in the playoffs in a United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division match Saturday night at Qwest Field.

"It's a big game and Andrew steps up in the big games," said Seattle midfielder Leighton O'Brien. "His movement was good tonight. He was flying around. His goal was a great goal."

Seattle (9-11-4, 31 points) helped its chances for a playoff berth with four regular-season matches left, moving into the sixth and final qualifying spot in the league standings.

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said he feels the club needs three wins in its final four matches to find a spot in the playoffs.

Vancouver (10-6-8, 38 points) remains in a tie for second place in the USL First Division. The Whitecaps are winless in their last 13 meetings with the Sounders.

The Sounders went in front 1-0 on a spectacular one-bounce volley goal from Gregor in the 32nd minute. Gregor beat three Vancouver defenders to the ball off a long pass in the middle of the field from O'Brien, controlling the ball in stride for an 8-yarder into the right corner.

"I don't have any ill-will toward [the Whitecaps]," Gregor said. "I just like playing in big games and that was a big game. The big thing for us right now is that we're injury-free. We've got everyone back."

The lead grew to 2-0 on O'Brien's penalty kick into the left corner in the 65th minute. It came after Vancouver goalkeeper Tony Caig grabbed the legs of the league's top scorer, Seattle forward Cam Weaver, for a foul in the penalty area on a 1-on-1 breakaway in the 64th minute.

"Now's a good time to peak," O'Brien said.

Rookie Chris Eylander made seven saves en route to his fifth shutout of the season.

The Whitecaps appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute, but Eduardo Sebrango's goal on a pass from Martin Nash was wiped out when Sebrango was called for a hand ball.

SOUNDERS 2, WHITECAPS 0

Vancouver	0 0 — 0
Seattle	1 1 — 2

Goals — Sea: 1, Andrew Gregor (Leighton O'Brien assist) 32:00; 2, O'Brien (penalty kick) 65:00. Van: None. Shots — Van 14, Sea 9. Saves — Van (Tony Caig) 3, Sea (Chris Eylander) 7. Fouls — Van 12, Sea 12. Offsides — Van 2, Sea 1. Corner kicks — Van 8, Sea 6. Cautions — Van (Jeff Clarke 42:00), Sea (O'Brien 56:00). Ejections — Van (None), Sea (None). A — 3,584.