SEATTLE — Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins have picked up right where they left off last season.
Dempsey scored twice and Martins added a goal to help the Seattle Sounders beat the New England Revolution 3-0 on Sunday night in the opener for both teams.
The Sounders are coming off the best year in franchise history, winning the Supporters’ Shield with a 20-10-4 record and 64 points. But they fell short of an MLS Cup appearance once again, losing the Western Conference final to the eventual champion Los Angeles Galaxy on an away goal.
Dempsey and Martins had plenty to do with those 20 wins. Dempsey scored 15 goals with one hat trick; Martins set a club scoring record with 17 goals. On Sunday, Dempsey had an assist on Martin’s first-half goal, and Martins returned the favor on Dempsey’s tally in the second half.