MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Game Notes: Sounders FC Vs. Real Salt Lake

Published on November 1, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Faced with an immense challenge going into the second leg of their MLS Western Conference Semifinal, Seattle Sounders FC seeks to make it their finest hour.

Proven to be a resilient side all season, Seattle hosts Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. First kick is 7 p.m. PT and the match will be shown nationwide on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.com.

Sounders FC (18-8-9 in MLS) must outscore RSL by at least four goals to win the aggregate goal series outright. If Seattle outscores the visitors by three and the teams are tied following regulation, Wednesday's game will be followed by 30 minutes of extra time and, if necessary, penalty kicks.

It's a tall task for the Rave Green yet if they succeed next comes the Western Conference Final on Sunday, November 6. They would either visit the top-seeded L.A. Galaxy or host the 10th-seeded New York Red Bulls at a time to be determined. The Galaxy hosts the Red Bulls in their second leg on Thursday night with L.A. leading, 1-0.

The West winner advances to the MLS Cup Final on November 20 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

If there's an MLS club owning the required components for such a comeback it's Sounders FC. They have continually confounded pundits and opponents with their ability to rebound from adversity this season. No other side has come from behind as many times. No other team has scored as many goals. And no other team can boast the passion, noise or numbers of Seattle's supporters.

Urged on by those fans, the Rave Green must play with a composed fury on Wednesday. Halfway through the 180 minutes of regulation Real Salt Lake (16-11-8) leads 3-0 after a first-leg home win last Saturday. It was RSL's first win in seven matches and their second over Seattle in 2011; they also won, 2-1, at CenturyLink on September 10.

Real Salt Lake will be returning to the site of its greatest feat-winning MLS Cup 2009 in a shootout over the Galaxy. The Utahns are 5-8-4 on the road this season, going winless (0-3-1) in the last four. Seattle was 9-4-4 at home during the regular season.

Arlo White will call all Sounders FC playoff matches on 97.3 KIRO FM.

A limited number of tickets are available for Wednesday night's match. Seattle has sold out 49 consecutive MLS regular season and playoff matches. For tickets go to www.SoundersFC.com or call 800-745-3000.

National TV: ESPN2

Talent: Adrian Healey and John Harkes

Local Radio: KIRO 97.3 FM

Talent: Arlo White

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from November 1, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central