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Sounders Draw With Vancouver 0-0

August 21, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


(Seattle, Wa)- The Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps played to a 0-0 draw Wednesday night at Starfire. Chris Eylander made seven saves to secure the clean sheet and help earn the Sounders a point.

The tie moves the Sounders into sole position of fourth place in the league standings with 33 points, and provides a bit of momentum after losing two consecutive games last week (1-3 at Minnesota, 4-3 in penalties after 1-1 tie following regulation and 30 minutes of overtime play; and 3-0 at home to Puerto Rico). Vancouver remains in second place with 39 points. Seattle has five games, all at home, and 15 potential points remaining to secure a top seven position and a playoff spot.

Next up for the Sounders is a Sunday night game at Starfire against the Carolina Railhawks. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm.

Vancouver, eager to avenge their 2-0 loss at Swangard Stadium on May 3, had the first good chance of the match in the 8th minute. Martin Nash took a free kick from the top of the box and set up a powerful shot from Alfredo Valente, which in turn was blocked by Seattle's backline.

A minute later, Seattle's Kevin Sakuda in full stride down the right side hit a running Youssouf Kante, who headed the ball right of the goal for the Sounders' first shot.

Eylander had his first major test of the match in the 23rd minute when Lyle Martin got past Taylor Graham, skipped the ball in the air towards the net and Eylander got a finger on it. Zach Scott quickly recovered and his clear to the 18 was intercepted by Nick Addlery, who shot into a sea of defenders and was deflected to Alfredo Valente, who delivered a strike from the top of the box right to Eylander, making his second save in seconds.

The onslaught of Vancouver opportunities did not stop there. Another good chance for the Whitecaps occurred in the 39th minute when Addlery caught the defense pushing forward, leading to a one-on-one situation down the middle with Danny Jackson. Addlery reached the box, stopped on a dime, shot left on goal and a far reaching Eylander tipped the ball left and out of bounds.

Vancouver controlled the pace of the game in the first half, and found holes in the defense leading to seven shots on goals, but the Sounders went into the half scoreless.

The two sides and the 3,203 fans in attendance were welcomed in the second half to torrential downpour and a slippery pitch. The weather didn't seem to bother the Sounders, however, as they began to look more dangerous on the offensive end. Kenji Treschuk took a corner in the 51st minute that just missed Graham and Jay Nolly was in perfect position to make the save.

The Whitecaps responded to the Sounders onrush with their own attack. In the 74th minute, Martin broke wide open, hit a running Addlery, who again faced Eylander one-on-one, and again resulted in the Seattle goalkeeper making a key save.

Perhaps both teams had their best chances in stoppage time of the second half. A free kick from Sebastien Le Toux landed at the feet of Graham, who delivered a strike right to the hands of Nolly. Seconds before the final whistle found Eylander just barely saving a potential own goal.

The draw keeps the Sounders atop the Cascadia Cup standings with eight points, and eliminates the Portland Timbers. Vancouver is in second with seven points. The final match of the season and of the storied rivalry between Seattle and Vancouver at Starfire on September 20 will determine the 2008 Cascadia Cup winner.



USL First Division Stories from August 21, 2008


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