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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC News & Notes

March 12, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Off to Mexico for Second Leg of Santos Series, then Home for MLS Opener

The greatest opportunity in club history awaits Sounders FC on Wednesday night in Torreon, Mexico as the Rave Green look to settle the series with Santos Laguna. Advancement to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League is at stake, and Seattle took its first step toward securing a spot last week, taking a notable 2-1 aggregate advantage over Santos in the first leg.

The second and deciding leg of the aggregate-goal series kicks off at 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday, March 14 at Santos' home stadium, Territorio Santos Modelo. Fox Soccer will broadcast the match nationally.

The busy week continues as Sounders FC returns home to open its fourth season in Major League Soccer on Saturday, March 17 against Toronto FC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Just 90 minutes of soccer on Wednesday night will bring the long awaited result. Prior to this year, only one MLS club has advanced to the semifinals of the Champions League. Seattle is looking to become the second this year to reach the semifinals where they would meet fellow MLS side LA Galaxy or Toronto FC.

In front of a record crowd at CenturyLink Field, David Estrada struck early as he headed in the opening goal just 12 minutes into the first leg-his first for Sounders FC. Brad Evans then regained the lead just minutes after Santos equalized in the second half and Seattle held on for the 2-1 score line.

The winner of the aggregate goal series will be determined at the end of regulation on Wednesday, unless the score is exactly the reverse of the first leg, in which case the teams will play an overtime period followed by penalty shootout, if necessary.

Sounders FC sits just five games away from capturing the Champions League trophy, and punching their ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

There's no break for Sounders FC as they return to Seattle for three consecutive home matches to open the 2012 MLS season, rounding out the club's five matches in the first month of play.

Tickets to home MLS matches are available through www.SoundersFC.com, all Ticketmaster Outlets, CenturyLink Field Box Office or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL.

Upcoming Competition Schedule (times are Pacific & subject to change)

Wednesday, March 14, 5 p.m. - CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals: Sounders FC at Santos Laguna, Territorio Santos Modelo, Torreon, Mexico

Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m. - MLS Opener: Sounders FC v Toronto FC, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field, Seattle

Friday, March 23, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC v Houston Dynamo, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field, Seattle

Saturday, March 31, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC v San Jose Earthquakes, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field, Seattle

At Home or on the Road: Sounders Ready Anywhere, Anytime

Two things have become obvious about Sounders FC in their short history: they can win late, and they can win on the road. Ever since the club won its first road game in MLS on April 4, 2009, players and coaches have taken pride in their road warrior mentality.

Seattle is unbeaten in its last three Champions League away matches, a stretch that includes a historic 1-0 win at Monterrey, a 2-1 win at Costa Rica's Herediano, and a 2-2 draw at Guatemala's Comunicaciones, clinching advancement to the quarters for Seattle.

Despite being one of the most traveled clubs in MLS, Sounders FC finished the 2011 season as the league's top road team in impressive fashion. Seattle's nine road wins were two more than any other MLS club and its three road losses were a league low, two fewer than their opponents. Sounders FC also scored the most away goals last year (24) and allowed the least (17).

Back to Mexico: Seattle Returns for More Competition

Seattle has twice travelled to Mexico for Champions League contests, both times visiting CF Monterrey in the group stage. One of the biggest wins in club history came on August 23, 2011, when Seattle downed Monterrey, 1-0, at Estadio Tecnologico. In the previous trip to Mexico (9/23/10), Seattle lost, 3-2, to Monterrey after building a 2-nil lead.

In preparation for their trip to Santos Laguna, Sounders FC stopped by Cancun, Mexico on their way home from preseason training camp in Florida. Seattle played Atlante FC in a training game on February 22, winning 5-2.

Tide is Turning: MLS Success in Champions League

The CONCACAF Champions League brings a special, unique opportunity to its MLS participants. So far, only one MLS team has made the semifinals of the prestigious tournament, an opportunity well within reach of Sounders FC on Wednesday night. MLS is guaranteed at least one spot in the semifinals with the LA Galaxy-Toronto FC matchup on the other side of the bracket.

Before Real Salt Lake's run to the final last year, every Champions League final featured two Mexican sides. Even in the tournament's predecessor, the Champions Cup, American success was rare. In the 46-year existence of the competition, U.S. clubs reached the final just four times (LA Galaxy lost in 1997 and won in 2000; DC United won in 1998; and RSL lost in 2011).

Big Game David: Versatile Forward Nets First Goal

The scene couldn't have been set better for David Estrada's first goal. It was his first start in front of the Sounders FC faithful at CenturyLink Field. The opponent was Mexican side Santos Laguna, a club that the Mexican-born Estrada watched growing up. And it came just 12 minutes into one of the most important matches in club history.

The third-year forward out of UCLA has shown his versatility on the pitch, converting from forward to midfielder at UCLA and testing out right back last year in Seattle. Estrada was given the opportunity to return to his most comfortable position up top this preseason, scoring three goals with two assists in seven games. The last time he played forward was his first year at UCLA when he set a UCLA freshman record with 12 goals and was named Soccer America's Freshman of the Year.

More Montero Magic: Fredy Starting Hot

Perhaps as impressive as David Estrada's strong header was the curling ball from Fredy Montero that led Estrada to the open space. With the assist, Montero now has three goals and three assists in the 2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League, including three goals and one assist in his last five CCL games.

Montero looks to be in fine form as he begins the 2012 campaign. The Colombian striker scored five goals in his final three preseason matches, including one against the Columbus Crew and braces against Atlante FC and Jaguares de Chiapas. Sounders FC supporters hope Montero picks up where he left off last season when he set a club record with 33 points in MLS play. He finished the year with 18 goals and 11 assists in all competitions and was also named U.S. Open Cup Player of the Tournament.

All the Right Moves: Sigi Does It Again

The all-time winningest coach in MLS history consistently shows opponents and fans his ability to manage a successful side. The crucial home leg against Santos Laguna last Wednesday prompted Sigi Schmid to make several personnel decisions, and all seemed to be the right moves.

The night began on a chaotic note as four starters were stuck in traffic on Interstate-90. Despite not having ample time to warm-up, Schmid stuck with his original starting XI. He returned Leo Gonzalez to the left back position and gave newcomer Adam Johansson the right side. The towering Austrian Michael Gspurning was given the task of keeping goal. Perhaps Schmid's most impressive and effective choice came in starting David Estrada at forward, pairing him with Fredy Montero to lead the attack. Not only did Estrada get Seattle started with an early goal, but his versatility allowed Schmid to bring on Eddie Johnson and move Estrada to left midfield in the second half.

Tough Task Ahead: Santos Strong at Home

Santos Laguna returned home from Seattle to regain the top spot in the Mexican Clausura with a 3-1 win over Puebla. Herculez Gomez, the goal scorer in Seattle, netted a brace as Santos came-from-behind to seal the victory. With the win, Santos remains unbeaten (4-0-2) at home this season in the Mexican Primera Division. Santos has extended its strong home form to Champions League play as they have won all four home CCL games this year, outscoring opponents 14-3. In the 2010-11 Champions League tournament, Santos won four out of five contests, scoring five or more goals on three occasions.

Santos scored the most goals of any team in the group stage with 16 tallies, five more than the nearest competitor. They faced the Colorado Rapids in the group stage and beat their American opposition 6-1 over the two legs. Their lone loss came to fellow quarterfinalist Metapan, but Santos avenged the loss with a 6-0 win in the rematch.

CCL Quick Facts

* The winner of the CONCACAF Champions League earns a berth to the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will represent North America, Central America and the Caribbean to earn the title of world's top soccer club

* No MLS club has won the tournament; only Real Salt Lake has advanced to the semifinals

* Sigi Schmid won the previous tournament, the Champions Cup, with the LA Galaxy in 2000

* The quarters are aggregate goal, two leg series with the second leg at the higher seed's home stadium

* Away goals serve as the first tiebreaker. If the score is still tied the teams will play an overtime period followed by penalty shootout, if necessary.

* Cautionary cards carry over for the remainder of the tournament and players will face suspension following their second yellow card caution. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez and David Estrada were cautioned in the first leg.

* The officials on Wednesday night are from El Salvador, led by referee Joel Aguilar

* In the other quarterfinal matchups Metapan beat Pumas, 2-1, at home, LA Galaxy earned a 2-2 road draw at Toronto FC, and defending champions Monterrey beat Morelia, 3-1, on the road.

* The first leg of the semifinals will be on March 27-29 with the second leg on April 3-5. The finals are scheduled for April 17-19 and April 24-26.

Road to Glory: How Seattle, Santos Reached Quarterfinals

Both Sounders FC and Santos Laguna began their title chase in the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League. Seattle downed Panama's San Francisco FC, 2-1 on aggregate, while Santos flew past Olimpia of Honduras, 5-2. In the group stage, Seattle finished second in Group D behind the reigning champions CF Monterrey, who Sounders FC beat 1-nil in Mexico. Four Sounders FC players have scored multiple goals in this year's tournament-Fredy Montero (three), Osvaldo Alonso (two), Brad Evans (two) and Alvaro Fernandez (two). Santos finished atop Group B with 13 points, the most of any team in the group stage this year.

Midfielders Alvaro Fernandez and Mauro Rosales Receive U.S. Green Cards

Midfielders Alvaro Fernandez and Mauro Rosales received their U.S. Green Cards, granting them permanent resident status in the United States, effective immediately.

As residents, Fernandez (Uruguay) and Rosales (Argentina) no longer occupy an International Player slot on Seattle's roster.

Seattle Sounders FC 2 vs. Santos Laguna 1 - March 7, 2012

Goal scorers David Estrada and Brad Evans led the way as Seattle Sounders FC took a 2-1 advantage over Santos Laguna after the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

The match drew 23,433, a Sounders FC record for a home CONCACAF Champions League match. The previous high was 22,513 on August 25, 2010, against Monterrey.

Estrada scored his first competitive goal for Sounders FC and Evans' second-half tally regained the lead shortly after Santos equalized.

Seattle struck early with a 12th minute goal from Estrada. Fredy Montero served a looping cross from 20-yards out that bent around the defense and found a streaking Estrada at the back post. Estrada rose and hammered a header past keeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

Montero leads Seattle with three goals and three assists in the 2011-12 Champions League tournament.

Santos equalized in the 61st minute when Herculez Gomez received a cross from Marc Crosas at the right post, then flicked the ball with his right foot to the far corner, out of the reach of keeper Michael Gspurning.

Sounders FC regained the lead just two minutes later when Evans scored in the 63rd minute. Mauro Rosales swung a 25-yard free kick into the box from the left side. A surging Evans out-jumped his defender and headed the ball into the top of the net.

The goal was Evans' second of the tournament. He also scored in a 4-1 win over Comunicaciones in the group stage.

Several Sounders FC players made their competitive debuts, including Gspurning, defenders Adam Johansson and Marc Burch, and forward Eddie Johnson.

Gspurning made four saves, most notable a diving effort in the 19th minute that stopped a strong shot from Gomez.

Johnson entered in the 78th minute and nearly scored in the 80th but his headed attempt from a Rosales cross sailed wide of the post.

Seattle had a few other scoring opportunities, including in the 18th minute when Johansson put an accurate cross in front of the goal to Montero, whose header went wide right. In the 40th minute, Fernandez bent a shot to the far post from over 20 yards out, but barely missed high.

Sounders FC donned their new third kit, Super Cyan, earning their first victory in the new strip.

Seven yellow cards were issued in the match, including cautions to Seattle's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez and David Estrada.

Toronto FC Preview

Saturday night will mark the beginning of the MLS season for both Seattle and Toronto, as MLS gave both clubs the opening weekend off due to Champions League duty. The Rave Green have had success against the Reds over the first three seasons, holding a 4-1-1 all-time mark. Seattle dominated the 2011 season series, winning 3-0 in Seattle and stealing a dramatic 1-nil victory in Toronto thanks to a late Fredy Montero free kick.

Sounders FC will open at home for the fourth straight year, where the team has picked up at least one point in 37 of 47 games over the past three seasons, going 9-4-4 at CenturyLink Field in 2011. Toronto FC has struggled on the road recently as they ended last season with just one road win (1-9-7).

Sounders FC has outscored Toronto FC 9-4 in the six all-time meetings. The two sides pick up the action in the second half as three of Seattle's four goals last year came in the final 45 minutes. Of the four goals Toronto has scored, three have come in the second half.

Meet the Opposition: Reds Notables

First half goals from Ryan Johnson and Luis Silva fueled Toronto FC to a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy last Wednesday in the first leg of the CCL Quarterfinal matchup in Toronto. The second leg will kickoff at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

Danny Koevermans, Toronto's leading scorer with eight goals a year ago, leads coach Aron Winter's 4-3-3 attack up front along with Johnson, Joao Plata, and Nick Soolsma (three goals apiece in 2011). Silva, the fourth overall selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, will join Torsten Frings and Julian de Guzman in the midfield. The Reds also added some depth to the back line, acquiring Jeremy Hall in a trade with Dallas and signing Chilean international Miguel Aceval.

Toronto is manned in goal by keeper Stefan Frei. The Swiss international has started 81 games for the Reds since 2009, notching 19 shutouts.

Throw-ins

The Market Arms pub in Ballard will host a viewing party Wednesday night, beginning at 4 p.m. PT, for the CCL quarterfinal game against Santos Laguna...Jeff Parke turns 30 on March 23 and Eddie Johnson turns 28 on March 31... Defender Andrew Duran underwent successful right knee surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear... Sounders FC Women signed University of Washington grad and four-time All Pac-10 selection Kate Deines on March 7...Sounders FC Academy U16 defender Jalen Markey was called into U18 U.S. Men's National Team camp...The U.S. U20 Women's National Team won the CONCACAF U20 Women's championship with a 2-1 win over Canada in Panama City on Sunday.

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