Sounders | Le Toux's hat trick gets team winning again

Back on track.

The Seattle Sounders, after losing to FC Dallas in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and seeing their 15-match unbeaten streak end Aug. 31 against the Minnesota Thunder, needed a turnaround, and they got it.

Frenchman Sebastien Le Toux put together a hat trick as the Sounders rebounded quickly with a 4-0 triumph over the California Victory before 2,501 spectators Thursday at Qwest Field. It was the Sounders' regular-season home finale in the United Soccer Leagues First Division.

The Sounders (21-8-7 overall, 15-6-6 league) moved back into first place in USL First Division, leapfrogging Montreal and Portland for a 51-50 points lead over those two teams. The expansion Victory (4-16-7, 19 points) occupies last place and hasn't scored a goal since July 26.

Seattle extended California's scoreless stretch to 589 minutes and handed the Victory its sixth consecutive defeat.

"The best defense is a good offense," said Ben Dragavon, the Sounders' backup goalkeeper who finished off the final 21 minutes. "When your team is able to keep the ball at the other end, you're able to relax back there."

Le Toux's third goal of the match — his 17th overall this season — came on a rebound and put Seattle in front 3-0 and pushed the first-year USL player into a tie for the league lead in goals with 10. It was the first hat trick for any Sounder this season.

Andre Schmid scored his first goal of the season for a 4-0 lead in the 66th minute.

Le Toux tallied in the 24th minute for a 2-0 advantage, flicking a shot over drawn-out goalkeeper Eric Reed after a pass headed back by Roger Levesque.

Le Toux gave Seattle a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute on an assist from Josh Gardner.

Sounders goalkeepers Chris Eylander and Dragavon teamed to shut out the Victory for Seattle's 14th blanking of the season. Dragavon made a leaping save on a Omar Aquoyo shot in the 87th minute.

Note

• The Sounders conclude the regular season Sunday at the Minnesota Thunder. The playoffs begin Sept. 14 in a two-match aggregate series that most likely starts with a road contest.