Sounders fall 1-0 on Panama PK

Sounders FC's road to group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League just got tougher.

San Francisco FC forward Roberto Brown scored on a 28th-minute penalty kick and the Panamanian club held on for a 1-0 win Tuesday against Seattle in the first leg of a preliminary-round matchup at Estadio Rommel Fernandez.

The second game of the home-and-home, aggregate-goals series kicks off at 7 p.m. on Aug. 3 at Seattle's CenturyLink Field.

Coming on the heels of a 7-0 loss last week in a friendly to Manchester United, Tuesday's defeat snapped the Sounders' 11-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

Seattle had a couple dangerous chances to tie the game late — and also earn a crucial away goal — but midfielder Pat Noonan's header in the 84th minute hit the post and midfielder Alvaro Fernandez couldn't control the rebound. Then, in stoppage time, forward Mike Fucito couldn't direct a pair of chances on goal, including an open-net look while on his backside.

In the frantic final minutes, Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller made a couple key saves to limit his team's deficit entering next week's match.

Nicknamed "The Monks," San Francisco FC took the lead when Seattle defender Jeff Parke lost his footing in the penalty box and accidentally hit the ball with his hand, resulting in a penalty kick.

Brown, a 34-year-old veteran, calmly converted the chance for his fifth career CCL goal.

Seattle had a handful of scoring opportunities in a slow-paced first half, as well, but midfielder Osvaldo Alonso missed high with a sixth-minute shot. Forward Fredy Montero, who celebrated his 24th birthday Tuesday, and midfielder Lamar Neagle also misfired on headers.