MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC Drop Opener to Galaxy

Published on March 16, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE - Juninho scored in the second-half to give the L.A. Galaxy a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC in MLS First Kick 2011 Tuesday night on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. It was Seattle's third straight year being featured in the First Kick matchup, of which it had won both previous openers.

The crowd of 36,433 was the highest attendance ever at a Seattle MLS home match, and fans contributed $22,000 to the American Red Cross for Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief.

Sounders FC (0-1-0, 0 points) dropped their first home opener since entering the league in 2009.

The Galaxy (1-0-0, 3 points) move into the top spot in the Western Conference.

With the loss, Sounders FC fall to 1-5-1 against the Galaxy (1-3-1 regular season) while L.A. improves its record against Seattle at Qwest Field to 3-0-1.

The Galaxy got the game-winner in the 58th minute when Juninho was able to capitalize on a defensive lapse by Sounders FC as he fired a shot off the outstretched hands of Kasey Keller and into the back of the net from 30 yards out. Todd Dunivant assisted on the score.

It was a match in which Seattle saw plenty of chances but could not finish. Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders made six saves on 11 Sounders FC shots.

Seattle almost equalized several times in the second half. In the 61st minute, Osvaldo Alonso sailed an open shot over the goal from the top of the box.

O'Brian White narrowly missed from short range in the 72nd when he attempted to redirect a Steve Zakuani cross into the net but couldn't sneak it in the left corner of the goal. White led Sounders FC with four shots, the other three in the first half, two of which were on goal.

Seattle controlled most of the scoreless first half, owning a shot advantage of seven to four, with five of those shots on goal while Los Angeles had none.

Fredy Montero had two of his three shots in the first half. In the ninth minute, he fired from outside the box but Saunders blocked it. A second attempt in the 32nd minute off an Alonso corner kick allowed Montero a chance from 10 yards but again Saunders saved.

Erik Friberg was able to control a deflected Los Angeles clearance in the 43rd minute, only to miss the right corner from 18 yards.

L.A. registered 10 shots, with two on goal as Kasey Keller made one save on the night.

Landon Donovan got behind the defense in the 66th minute but his shot from outside the 18-yard box pinged off the crossbar.

Seattle's Erik Friberg and Leo Gonzalez were both cautioned at the end of the first half, while Chris Birchall and David Beckham were each issued yellow cards for Los Angeles.

Sounders FC will next travel across the country to face New York on Saturday, March 19 in Red Bull Arena for the Red Bulls' first game of the season. The game will be televised in Seattle on KONG 6/16 kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. PT.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 16, 2011


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