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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Game Notes: Sounders FC at Chicago Fire

June 2, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Another opportunity to reinforce their reputation as road warriors awaits Seattle Sounders FC this weekend with a trip to the Windy City. The Rave Green aim to sweep their season series with the Chicago Fire on Saturday night. First kick is 5:30 p.m. PT at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. The match will be televised live on KONG 6/16 and ROOT Sports.

Although nothing has come easily for Sounders FC (5-4-5, 20 points) they have battled their way to the third-highest point total in MLS. After a slow start they have gone 5-2-3 in the last 10 games, a run that began with the first meeting with the Fire (1-4-6, 9 points).

The first victory of the season for Seattle was a 2-1 decision over Chicago on April 9. Since then Sounders FC have withstood a series of injuries and misfortune in climbing to third in the Western Conference with a sum that's sufficient to share the lead in the East.

Last week the Rave Green experienced both highs and lows, first dominating but dropping a 1-nil decision to FC Dallas at home, then rebounding three days later to beat Real Salt Lake, the most dominant home side in MLS, on their home turf, 2-1.

Meanwhile, Chicago has taken a divergent path, going winless in nine consecutive matches beginning with the loss to Seattle. After losing three in row the Fire have steadied a bit, drawing five of the last six, including a 2-2 result at home against San Jose last week. Beginning this week, they have a new man in charge. Chicago has replaced Carlos de los Cobos with technical director Frank Klopas for the remainder of the season.

Sounders FC are undefeated (3-0-2) against Chicago following wins in the last three meetings. All were one-goal margins and both games in 2010 were won in the dying minutes.

Seattle could face the Fire again in the U.S. Open Cup this summer. Chicago claimed a berth in the third round by winning a pair of play-in matches. Sounders FC begin defense of their back-to-back Open Cup titles in the final week of June.

Following this week's action, the Rave Green come home for three of their next four matches, starting with a June 11 Cascadia Cup encounter with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Arlo White will be back in the announcer's chair to call the play on KONG, ROOT Sports and 97.3 KIRO FM. The Spanish language radio broadcast is on La Gran D 99.3 FM.

Also this week, tickets for the July 20 friendly with English Premier League champion Manchester United go on sale Wednesday, June 1. For tickets to that game and all Sounders FC home matches go to www.SoundersFC.com or call 877-MLS-GOAL.

Seattle will also host a Reserve League match on Tuesday, June 7 against Vancouver. First kick is 7 p.m. PT at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. Admission is free with donations accepted for the Sounders FC community partners.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from June 2, 2011


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