MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Keller, Sounders FC Extend Unbeaten Streak, Tie L.A.

Published on July 5, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


CARSON, CALIF. - Kasey Keller got the shutout in his 75th straight start as Seattle Sounders FC extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches with a scoreless draw against the league-leading L.A. Galaxy in front of 27,000 fans and a national television audience on Independence Day at The Home Depot Center.

Keller made two saves to pick-up his 27th career shutout as Sounders FC (8-4-8, 32 points) earn a tough road-point and move to 3-2-5 away from CenturyLink Field this season, including the last five unbeaten.

Third-string goalkeeper Brian Perk recorded two saves, including a penalty kick stop of Fredy Montero in the 18th minute, as the Galaxy (9-2-9, 36 points) move to 4-0-5 at home and extend their unbeaten streak to 11 matches.

With Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts out to injury and back-up Josh Saunders serving a suspension, Perk made his MLS debut for the Galaxy.

In the 17th minute, Seattle's Mauro Rosales moved the ball to Roger Levesque inside the box, who found Montero in front of the goal. Montero took one touch and attempted an overhead kick with Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez on his back. Gonzalez knocked down Montero's attempt with his hand for a penalty kick.

Montero took the ensuing penalty kick in the 18th minute. Perk stayed low and dove to his right to make the save.

The 21-year-old Perk became just the second goalkeeper in MLS history to record his first career save off of a penalty kick (Matt Napoleon, 1998).

After the early penalty kick, chances were limited for Sounders FC, as they managed 14 shots, but just three on goal throughout the night.

In the third minute, Seattle's Rosales got free from two defenders along the right side and got the ball to Montero, who sent in a low cross to the feet of Levesque, whose shot skied high over the cross bar for a goal kick.

In the 20th minute, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado got a clean look at a corner kick sent into the box by Tyson Wahl, but his shot missed outside the far post for a goal kick.

After a Seattle throw in the 65th minute, Erik Friberg hit a side-winding shot from the middle of the box, but his attempt missed outside the left post for a goal kick.

In the 73rd minute, Brad Evans knocked a long-distance shot while trying to catch Galaxy goalkeeper Perk off guard, but his attempt missed high for a goal kick.

The Galaxy's offense failed to find any consistency as well, totaling nine shots with just two on goal.

In the 68th minute, Juan Pablo Angel got some space on the left side of the box as he received a ball from Landon Donovan. After a couple of touches Angel blasted a shot off the fingertips of Keller, hitting the far post before rolling out of bounds for a Galaxy corner kick.

A long ball found its way through the Seattle defense to Donovan in the 50th minute, but Donovan could not gather enough force behind his header, as it fell softly into the hands of Keller for the save.

In the 28th minute, Donovan sent in an accurate ball to Mike Magee at the left post, but Magee failed to land a good touch on the ball and his attempt missed wide of the far post for a goal kick.

Sounders FC will next meet arch-rival Portland Timbers on July 10 for a showdown at JELD-WEN Field. First kick is at 1 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 5, 2011


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