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Sounders FC play to scoreless draw

February 23, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS) Seattle Sounders FC

TUCSON, Ariz. - Seattle Sounders FC and Veracruz played to a scoreless draw Friday night in a preseason friendly at Kino Sports Complex. Seattle took on the Mexican side as a tune-up for their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal matchup with Tigres UANL.

Eddie Johnson and Mario Martinez each created a number of chances for Sounders FC. In the 7th minute, Johnson got behind the defense and shot past the keeper, but it hit the post and was cleared off the line.

In the 15th minute, Martinez was taken from behind on a scoring chance, resulting in a red card for Veracruz's Raul Rico. Mauro Rosales took the free kick and put it on frame, but the keeper parried it over the crossbar.

Johnson had another opportunity in the 24th minute when he got into the box on the left side, but his shot to the far post was saved by the leaping keeper.

In the 55th minute, Martinez missed wide of the far post on a left-footed shot from the top of the box. Four minutes later, they both got shots off in the box, but the second was cleared away for a corner.

Goalkeeper Michael Gspurning earned his first 90-minute clean sheet of the preseason. In the 78th minute, he made a diving save to his right and pawed away a dangerous shot, then made another big save in the 84th minute to keep the game scoreless.

Sounders FC plays in Desert Diamond Cup final tomorrow night against Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Network.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 23, 2013


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