Ex-Sounder Andrew Gregor leads Rhinos 3-1 over Seattle

TUKWILA — Andrew Gregor doesn't mind sticking it to his former teammates. He's done it time and time again.

Having played for four United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division sides now has increased the odds.

It also appears the Rochester Rhinos have the Sounders' number this season.

Gregor, the former Sounders midfielder and 10-year journeyman, scored the winning goal in the 27th minute as Rochester went on for a 3-1 triumph over Seattle in Friday's game at Starfire Sports & Entertainment Complex in front of 2,965 fans.

"Of course, there's a little added something [playing former teams]," said Gregor, recently acquired in a three-team trade from Portland. "I know these guys so well. We just have a good competition. It's not something I consciously think about.

"I just go play hard. Any time you get a goal, and you get your first goal of the year, and have a decent goal, it just makes you fit in well."

The loss was just Seattle's second at Starfire in four seasons of matches there. The Sounders dipped to 8-2-5 overall and suffered their first loss at Starfire this season, falling to 2-1-4.

"I wrote three things on the blackboard after the match: Effort. Quality. Decision-making," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. "Not any of those were on display. I was distressed about the ball going down the middle of the field with such ease."

The Sounders (5-5-8 USL First Division, 23 points) slipped to 0-2-1 against Rochester (5-5-6, 21 points) this season. Seattle fell 1-0 on the road July 11 and lost a late lead at home for a 1-1 tie May 14.

Gregor's goal was his third against the Sounders and it was his second winner against Seattle after nailing one for a 2-1 win in Game 1 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals.

Gregor, 32, walked in a pass from Johnny Menyongar at the left post in the 27th minute to give Rochester, 3-0-1 in its last four matches, a 2-1 advantage, scoring the open-netter when Seattle goalkeeper Chris Eylander came out to challenge Menyongar.

It was the first goal of the season for Gregor, who joined the Rhinos on July 9 in a three-way trade involving his former Portland Timbers and Carolina Railhawks.

Matthew Delicate scored on a counterattack in the 75th minute to give the Rhinos a 3-1 lead.

Seattle's Leighton O'Brien buried a tricky 18-yard blast with the outside of his foot, curving the ball inside the near post to tie the match at 1-1 in the 17th minute.