Mauro Rosales broke Seattle's single-season assists record and Alvaro Fernandez scored twice to help the Sounders beat DC United 3-0 Saturday night before a sellout crowd that helped them set a new MLS attendance record.
The 36,242 fans at CenturyLink Field pushed the Sounders' attendance to 553,987 with two home games remaining. That breaks the mark of 542,600 they set last season. The Sounders (14-6-9, 51 points) have established a new league attendance record each season since joining Major League Soccer in 2009.
Rosales was wrapping up a nice night when he sprained a ligament in his right knee in the 89th minute, when he was fouled by DC United defender Daniel Woolard. He will get an MRI on Monday.
''I was really frustrated about this,'' Rosales said. ''Nothing to lose, nothing to win and I get hurt.''
Rosales will not be available for Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League match against Herediano, Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said.
Mike Fucito opened the scoring in the 35th minute. He finished low and left past DC United goalkeeper Joe Willis for his second goal of the season. Rosales supplied the primary assist.
During the two minutes of added time in the first half, the Sounders struck again.
Fernandez was sent through on a slick pass by Rosales. Fernandez angled wide right a few steps inside the penalty box, then sent a grounded shot to the right of a diving Willis in the 45th minute for his seventh goal of the year.
''Hitting that goal right before halftime made a big difference,'' Sounders captain and goalkeeper Kasey Keller said.
Fernandez's second goal came deep in the box. Fredy Montero tried a header off a cross by Rosales, but Willis was able to use his left hand to stop it. Fernandez wheeled and converted the loose ball for a 3-0 lead in the 60th minute.
''(I'm) happy because it helps the team to get a win,'' Fernandez said. ''On a personal note, it also gives me confidence for the future.''
Rosales now has 12 assists this season, two more than Montero's record set in 2010. Rosales has four goals and nine assists in his last 11 league games.
DC United (8-8-10) posed few threats. It put two shots on goal in the first half, one a header from forward Joseph Ngwenya that was saved by Keller.
United's best chance came in the 72nd minute when Ngwenya came in alone on Keller and shot right. Keller made a diving save on the short-side shot. Keller also made a diving save on Josh Wolff's shot in the 80th minute.
''I don't necessarily think it was a 3-0 game, but all coaches that lose 3-0 say that, don't they?'' DC United coach Ben Olsen said. ''Looking at the stats, it's pretty close. We had some chances, unfortunately most of them when we were down several goals, but on the day they were a better team.''
Ngwenya (16th minute) and Seattle defender Tyson Wahl (41st minute) each received yellow cards in the first half. DC United midfielder Austin Da Luz received a yellow card in the 63rd minute.
