Coelho Scores in 73rd Minute, Sporting KC Beats Sounders 1-0

SEATTLE (AP) — Nuno Andre Coelho scored in the 73rd minute and goalkeeper Tim Melia came up with saves on three dangerous chances to help Sporting Kansas City beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Sunday in the opener for both teams.

Coelho fired his goal from 25 yards out. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei dove and got a hand on the shot at the left post, but it rolled off him and into the net.

Melia stopped consecutive chances in the 15th minute — first a free kick by Clint Dempsey from 26 yards away, then a header by Chad Marshall from inside the 6-yard box.

In the 53rd minute, Seattle's Andreas Ivanschitz fired from the top left side of the penalty area, and Melia leaped to deflect it. The ball went off the crossbar and to Seattle's Nelson Valdez, but his bicycle kick from inside the 6 went over the top.