Battery stumbles again; playoff hopes dimming

Sounders 1, Battery 0

SEATTLE — The Charleston Battery suffered a fourth-consecutive loss Sunday night, falling 1-0 to the USL-leading Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field.

Seattle's Sebastian LeToux scored a goal near the end of the first half, and the Battery finished the game with only 10 men on the field after midfielder Gordon Chin was ejected in the 78th minute.

The loss, combined with a win on Sunday by the Carolina RailHawks over the Montreal Impact, drops the Battery into ninth place in the standings with the RailHawks jumping past Charleston into the eighth and final playoff spot with two games remaining.

The Battery had to wait until the 16th minute of the match for its first sight on goal. Forward Andre Toussaint was fouled just outside the box, but Gordon Chin struck the ensuing free kick but his curling effort drifted wide.

LeToux made up for somer earlier misses in the 43rd minute. Seattle worked the ball to the right side and midfielder Hugo Cuellar drove the ball in low to LeToux who guided it home past Charleston

goalkeeper Keith Wiggans from 10 yards out.

The Battery adjusted after the break, and, with some inspired play from Toussaint, began to chip away at the Sounders' defense. Toussaint put forward Kenny Uzoigwe through alone on goal in the 63rd minute but Uzoigwe struck his shot tamely, straight at the goalkeeper.

Chin was sent off with 10 minutes remaining for kicking out at winger Santa Maria Rivera. Despite playing a man down, Charleston continued to press and almost leveled in the 84th minute as Toussaint picked out striker Aaron King in the box. King opted for a first-time volleyed effort, but his attempt rose above the bar.

The Battery's next game is Sunday at 6 p.m. on the road against Miami FC.