Jaqua, Montero help Sounders cool off Rapids 3-0

SEATTLE (AP) — Nate Jaqua had two second-half goals and Fredy Montero scored for the fourth straight game, helping the Seattle Sounders end the Colorado Rapids’ franchise-record unbeaten streak at eight games with a 3-0 victory on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Kasey Keller had his fifth shutout for Seattle (6-3-7), which hasn’t lost in four games and stayed ahead of the Rapids (5-3-6) for third place in the Western Conference.

Colorado had five ties during its streak.

Jaqua’s six goals are second on the Sounders to Montero, who moved into a tie for the second-most goals in MLS with eight and added two assists.

Jaqua assisted on Montero’s goal, which gave Seattle a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute. Freddie Ljungberg drove a corner from the right side into the middle of the penalty area, where Jaqua leaped and sent a twisting header toward the left post. Montero headed it into the back left corner, well beyond the reach of goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

Montero set up Jaqua’s first goal in the 48th minute, playing at the top center of the box and pushing the ball forward. Jaqua ran onto it, and with Pickens coming out to cut down the angle, slid a shot that rolled just inside the left post.

Seattle padded its lead about 20 minutes later. Sebastien Le Toux, just into the game, took a long pass from Ljungberg and sent it through to Montero at the top of the box. Montero tapped it to his left, and Jaqua drilled it into the far corner from 15 yards.

Colorado’s Ugo Ihemelu missed a penalty in the 35th minute that would have tied the game, putting it off the right side of the crossbar.

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