Sounders back on top in USL with shutout win

SAN FRANCISCO — Leighton O'Brien converted a penalty kick in the 78th minute as the Seattle Sounders returned to the top of the USL First Division table Saturday night with a 1-0 win over the California Victory at Kezar Stadium.

O'Brien scored after Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar drew a foul in the 18-yard box, giving coach Brian Schmetzer a victory and three points on his 45th birthday.

Seattle (12-5-6) is one point ahead of the Portland Timbers with five regular-season matches remaining. The Sounders stretched their unbeaten streak to 13 matches in all competition and goalkeeper Chris Eylander got his 10th shutout.

The Sounders had chances late in the first half.

O'Brien found himself in prime position to break a scoreless deadlock in the 38th minute when Roger Levesque cut a ball back into the path of his supporting run. But O'Brien's 10-yard, left-footed shot went just wide of the post.

Two minutes later, O'Brien served a perfect corner to Zach Scott, who headed the ball hard into the ground from 2 yards in front of goal. But the ball bounced just over the cross bar.

In the second half, O'Brien again found himself with a chance from 20 yards in front of goal in the 67th minute. His shot beat the California keeper but was just off target.

SOUNDERS 1, VICTORY 0