A soggy artificial surface slows the Sounders at first, but they eventually hit their stride and get their sixth straight win, 3-0 at Portland, behind two Boris Bandov goals. The victory clinches the second playoff seed in the West with one game remaining. Over an inch of rain fell on the Civic Stadium turf during the day. Eric Skeels puts the visitors in front a minute before halftime. Bandov, making only his third appearance and first start, doubles the lead at 47' and adds another at 80'. Tony Chursky makes five saves, extending his record scoreless streak to 360 minutes.

Dale Mitchell of the Tacoma Stars scores two goals as Canada secures advancement to the Olympic quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Cameroon at Boston. After being fouled in the box, Mitchell opens the scoring with a penalty kick just before halftime. His second clinches it with eight minutes to go. Mitchell scores again vs. Brazil on Aug. 6 at Stanford, but the Canadians go out, 1-1 (4-2).

Hope Solo is not called upon to make a single save in the final yet is voted the Golden Glove following CONCACAF Women’s Championship in Chester, Pa. The United States beats Costa Rica, 6-0 behind four goals of Abby Wambach, plus another from the Reign's Sydney Leroux. It's Solo's 77th career shutout. The U.S. finishes the tournament with a goal difference of 21-0 and is through to the 2015 World Cup.

Rallying from two goals down, Blanchet High School defeats Shorecrest, 3-2, for the unofficial state championship at Memorial Stadium. George Brown gets the winner with 8 minutes left for the Braves, who had also beaten the Scots in a preseason tournament. Kelly Gordon and Pat Bates had brought Blanchet level after John Anderson and Russ Eaden put Shorecrest in front.

After playing their first four away, the Sounders make their APSL home debut in the Tacoma Dome, before 5,614. David Hoggan and Gary Heale, who once both starred in the same building for the Tacoma Stars, score in a 2-0 victory over the defending champion Colorado Foxes. Hoggan's winner in the 75th minute is a free kick hooked over the wall and past Mark Dodd. Heale adds insurance three minutes later. Seattle's first six matches will be played in Tacoma due to the Kingdome's closure because of failing ceiling tiles.

Taylor Graham and Roger Levesque of the Sounders are loaned to Vancouver for the Whitecaps' exhibition with David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy. Graham starts and plays the full 90 in the 0-0 draw before 48,172 at B.C. Place. Levesque is used as a 72' substitute.