In a match with zero implications, the Seattle Sounders FC finally remembered how to score goals.
Now comes carrying it into games that matter.
Roger Levesque cleaned up the ricochet of Fredy Montero's free kick late in the first half, Pat Noonan and Michael Seamon both scored midway through the second half and Seattle beat Argentina's Boca Juniors 3-0 in an exhibition match Wednesday.
Having scored just two home goals since a 2-0 season opening win over expansion Philadelphia, the Sounders were hoping the exhibition with the one-time South American powers might be an opportunity to solve some of their offensive woes before returning to MLS play on Saturday at Colorado.
``It's nice to score some goals. It's been a long time. I didn't know what it felt like anymore,'' Seattle coach Sigi Schimd said.
Playing a mixture of regular starters and youngsters needing playing time, Seattle dominated possession and scoring chances against a Boca Juniors squad filled with youth and minus three players preparing for the World Cup.
Boca was missing Martin Palermo, the club's all-time leading scorer, midfielder Claudio Morel and defender Gary Medel, all training for the World Cup with Argentina, Paraguay and Chile, respectively.
Wearing their new highlighter-yellow uniforms, Seattle had numerous scoring chances in the first half before finally converting in the 42nd minute. Montero's free kick was tipped by goalkeeper Javier Garcia, deflected off the post and bounced in front of the open net. Lesveque gently guided the free ball into the net, breaking a home scoreless streak of 308 minutes.
Seattle's last home goal was against Columbus on May 1 and the Sounders had just two goals in their last five league matches.
``The most important thing is we need to keep this pace so in the next games we have the same level of quality in our attack,'' Montero said through an interpreter.
The Sounders kept the pressure up in the second half. Noonan beat Gaston Sauro for possession off a pass from David Estrada in the 64th minute, let Leandro Marin go racing past and drilled a left-footed shot into the top of the netting. Seamon scored six minutes later on an attempt from 25 yards that Garcia appeared to misplay.
Seamon isn't on Seattle's official roster, still considered a training invitee and not under contract. He was Seattle's second-round pick in the 2010 SuperDraft.
``Ten seconds of happiness, then all of a sudden I was like, 'Oh my God, I've still got 20 minutes left and I've got to be running all over the place,''' Seamon said of his goal.
The only downside for Seattle was midfielder Osvaldo Alonso aggravating a quad injury that kept him out of Seattle's last two MLS games. Schmid said Alonso would be doubtful for Saturday.
This was the third international friendly for Seattle, although without the star power of last year when the Sounders welcomed Chelsea and FC Barcelona, two of the strongest clubs in the world. Seattle was shut out in both of those matches, but was able to outclass a Boca Juniors squad that has tumbled in Argentina's Primera Division and finished last season 16th before 40,122.
Lucas Viatri had the best scoring chance for Boca but his first-half header was punched over the crossbar by Seattle keeper Kasey Keller.
Boca Juniors will wrap up its U.S. tour on Saturday with a match against the Portland Timbers.
``One is always pursuing the result, even after the end of our league,'' Boca coach Roberto Pompei said. ``Still, always positive experiences come out of these.''
