Le Toux's goal puts Sounders atop standings

After a rare absence from the playoffs last season, the Sounders made sure they took care of business and clinched a spot early this season. Now, their focus is on the top spot in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division standings and a regular-season crown.

Seattle, on the strength of Sebastien Le Toux's 14th goal of the season, took advantage of a tired Charleston Battery squad for a 1-0 triumph on Sunday night in front of 4,291 fans at Qwest Field.

The Sounders (20-6-7 overall, 14-5-6 USL First Division) — who in 2006 missed the playoffs for just the second time in 13 seasons — boosted their unbeaten streak to 15 matches and moved ahead of Portland 48-47 in the points race for first.

"We can win these kinds of games all day long, but to win a championship we need to play a little smarter and a little better," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. "Moving to the top of the table, that might hide some of the little things we could've done better."

Goalkeeper Chris Eylander earned his 13th shutout of the season, and has kept opponents scoreless for the last 278 minutes.

"A lot of it has to do with our defensive backs just doing their job," said Eylander, who made four saves Sunday and leads the league with 100 this season. "We have defenders like Danny [Jackson], Zach [Scott] and Kevin [Sakuda], who are hard-nosed players that are able to finish out 90 minutes with the mentality of not giving up anything."

Le Toux, the native Frenchman playing his first season in Seattle, buried a 9-yard shot in the left corner of the net in the 43rd minute. Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar set up the goal by threading a cross from the right sideline between defenders.

It was Alcaraz-Cuellar's eighth assist of the season. It also marked the fifth 1-0 win for Seattle in which Le Toux got the goal, and the team's ninth 1-0 victory this season.

Sounders defender Taylor Graham blocked a point-blank shot by Kevin Nylen during added time of the 45th minute to preserve a 1-0 halftime lead.

Note

• Fans in attendance received a Danny Jackson bobblehead doll as part of the annual promotion.

SOUNDERS 1, BATTERY 0

Charleston	0 0 — 0
Seattle	1 0 — 1

Goals — Sea: 1, Sebastien Le Toux (Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar), 43:00. Shots — Cha 9, Sea 19. Saves — Cha (Keith Wiggins) 5, Sea (Chris Eylander) 4. Fouls — Cha 15, Sea 13. Offsides — Cha 1, Sea 5. Corner kicks — Cha 4, Sea 10. Cautions — Cha (Stephen Armstrong 13:00, Kenny Uzoigwe 28:00, Tim Karalexis 59:00, Kevin Nylen 77:00), Sea (None). Ejections — Cha (Gordon Chin 78:00), Sea (None). A — 4,291. Records — Cha 8-13-5 USL First Division, 29 points; Sea 14-5-6 USL First Division, 48 points, 20-6-7 overall.