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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

May 9, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Rivalry Renewed: Sounders FC Hosts Timbers on Saturday

The final countdown has begun as one of North America's most colorful and contentious rivalry begins a new era. Seattle Sounders FC hosts the Portland Timbers for the first time in MLS play on Saturday night before a capacity crowd and a national audience on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. First kick is 8 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

Both Sounders FC (3-3-4, 13 points) and the Timbers (4-3-1, 13 points) are showing solid form of late with the Rave Green having lost only once in the last eight matches and Portland has won four of its last five.

Seattle is seeking its third straight home win as it begins a three-match home stand. Last week Sounders FC sustained its first loss in seven games, 2-1 at D.C. United, but rebounded to split the points against the Columbus Crew, 1-1.

While this represents the initial meeting between Seattle and Portland in MLS play, it will be the 75th clash between professional clubs representing the two Pacific Northwest cities-a series which dates back three leagues and 36 years. The Sounders and Timbers of the North American Soccer League first met on May 2, 1975.

More recently, Sounders FC crossed paths with Portland the past two seasons in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. Seattle eliminated its neighbors on both occasions en route to lifting the cup upon winning America's most historic tournament.

Sounders FC won, 2-1, at Portland in 2009 and advanced on penalties following a 1-1 draw last year in the Rose City. There will be no such cup collision this time around; the Timbers were eliminated by San Jose, 1-0, last week in a second-round MLS play-in.

Saturday is also the first of four Cascadia Cup fixtures for both teams. The three-team competition also includes Vancouver Whitecaps FC and is organized by the clubs' supporters groups.

Portland has caught fire at home, winning all four matches at JELD-WEN Field. That includes 1-nil wins over previously unbeaten Real Salt Lake and fast-starting Philadelphia. However, it's been another matter on the road, going 0-3-1 while being outscored 9-2.

Arlo White will call Saturday's match on 97.3 KIRO FM. The Rave Green visits Portland on July 10, with that match also televised by ESPN2.

Seattle will play two MLS Reserve League matches at home this week, both at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. Chivas USA plays Sounders FC on Monday night at 7 p.m. PT and the Timbers reserves arrive next Sunday at 1 p.m. PT.

Next week Seattle hosts Sporting Kansas City on May 21 at 7 p.m. PT. Defending Western Conference champion FC Dallas visits on May 25. Tickets for all Sounders FC home matches are available atwww.SoundersFC.com or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL.

Rivalry Dates to 1975

Saturday night will mark the 75th meeting between Seattle and Portland teams in league or cup play since the Sounders and Timbers first collided on May 2, 1975 in Portland's inaugural North American Soccer League match. The rivalry was rapidly stoked by fierce battles and rabid fans, resulting in big crowds toward the end of that first season.

Following the demise of the Timbers in 1982, Western Soccer League teams from both cities met from 1985-90. Soon after the Timbers joined the USL First Division in 2001, supporters groups from Seattle, Portland and Vancouver founded the Cascadia Cup, a three-way competition to determine Pacific Northwest supremacy amongst the Sounders, Timbers and Whitecaps.

Seattle vs. Portland Series

1975-82 NASL Sounders 13 wins; Timbers 8 wins

1985-90 WSL FC Seattle 5 wins; FC Portland/Timbers 6 wins; 2 draws

2001-08 USL-1* Sounders 20 wins; Timbers 13 wins; 5 draws

2009-10 U.S. Open Cup Sounders FC 1 win; Timbers 0 wins; 1 draw

Totals 74 matches played: Seattle 39 wins, Portland 27 wins; 8 draws

Keller Knows Both Sides

Seattle captain Kasey Keller returned for his 20th and final professional season partly because of his desire to experience the Sounders FC-Timbers rivalry. Keller played in both Open Cup meetings with Portland, however he also played in the Rose City. During four seasons at the University of Portland the then-shaggy keeper helped lead the Pilots to the NCAA semifinals and, in the summer of 1989, played for the Timbers and was voted the MVP of the Western Soccer League.

Keller starred in last Saturday's draw at Columbus. Facing 13 shots by the Crew in the second half, he allowed only a penalty and saved five, including a dipping free kick by Andres Mendoza during stoppage time. Keller's 65 consecutive starts dates to April 25, 2009 and is the longest active streak in MLS.

First 10 Prove Tough

It's been a tough first 10 matches for Sounders FC. Six games have been on the road, several in the most demanding conditions. There have been four significant injuries. Still, Seattle has lost only once in the last eight outings (3-1-4) and its point total is ahead of last year's pace (3-4-3). In 2009 the record was 4-2-4 at the same stage. With 13 points Sounders FC is tied for fourth in the Western Conference and fifth overall in MLS, and only Houston has scored more goals.

With regard to key player availability, the Rave Green have only played two matches at full-strength. Winger Steve Zakuani (leg fracture) and forward O'Brian White (blood clot), the top two scorers through the first six games, have not played since due to injuries. Other starters, including midfielder Mauro Rosales, midfielder Brad Evans and forward Fredy Montero, have missed at least two games. Meanwhile Seattle played four times in the Eastern Time Zone and another match at altitude. Further, the six road games were played against teams with a combined home record of 13-4-9. Of the next 10 matches, six will be played at home and of the road games, only one is in the East.

Montero Heating Up

Spring has come late to the Northwest, however maybe summer is arriving early for Fredy Montero. The 23-year-old Colombian forward tends to flourish when the weather warms (13 of his 24 career goals have come in June, July and August). Despite playing with a protective cast on his right wrist, fractured in March, he has figured in Sounders FC scoring in each of the last games since his return.

His header at Columbus earned Seattle a point. At D.C. United, Montero was pulled down in the box to earn a penalty kick. His comeback began with an assist on the tying goal by Alvaro Fernandez at Philadelphia, followed by the game-winning goal at Colorado the following week and an assist versus Toronto FC on April 30. Montero is looking for his first goal scored at home since August 28, 2010 when he got the deuce against Chicago.

Depth & Adaptation

Sigi Schmid has shuffled his XI in wake of the injuries and occasional twice-weekly games, with only two players, midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and goalkeeper Kasey Keller, starting each match (in fact they have played all 900 minutes). Midfielder Erik Friberg has played in all 10, starting nine. Already 19 different players have started at least once and 23 have played. During the entire inaugural season of 2009, Schmid used only 22 players in league play.

A Taste Test

Players, staff and supporters of both Sounders FC and the Timbers have gotten an early taste of this derby's passion, that coming from two U.S. Open Cup meetings as well as preseason games. Seattle defeated Portland, 2-1, in the third round of the 2009 Open Cup tournament. Sounders FC advanced over the Timbers in the same round last year by virtue of a 4-3 edge in penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw. Both matches were played before large, raucous crowds at PGE Park.

Seattle hosted Portland in the 2010 Community Shield preseason game and the 2011 Cascadia Summit. The Timbers prevailed in both, 1-0 and 2-0, respectively.

North American Soccer's Capital

Seattle has been recognized as a bastion of the beautiful game since 1974, when the original Sounders attracted the first sell-out crowd in the NASL. Two years later, after outgrowing the capacity at Memorial Stadium, the club moved to the new Kingdome where a then-record North American crowd of 58,218 filled the seats on opening night. The Sounders regularly pulled crowds of 20,000-30,000 through 1982. Once Qwest Field was completed in 2002, the throngs began returning. The stadium's first event, a Sounders game versus Vancouver, set a USL-1 attendance mark, and four crowds of more than 47,000 witnessed international friendlies by 2008.

Sounders FC has shattered MLS attendance records since joining the league in 2009, and the atmosphere has been acclaimed as world-class. Each regular season and postseason match has been sold-out. In 2010 Seattle broke its own MLS record for a season, averaging 36,173. There have also been five friendlies that have each drawn in excess of 40,000 fans, including a record 66,848 in 2009 to see Sounders FC face Barcelona.

Seattle Influence in Soccer City

Portland proclaimed itself Soccer City, USA in 1975, the chief reason being a string of four consecutive Civic Stadium home crowds in excess of 23,000 (two coming against Seattle), topped by 33,503 for the NASL semifinal versus St. Louis. There were three crowds above 20,000 in 1976 and two in 1978. The largest attendance for a soccer game Portland did not involve the Timbers. Instead 35,548 came to see the Sounders and Cosmos play in the 1977 NASL championship match.

Beginning in the late Nineties, Portland was back in the limelight after drawing more than 25,000 for U.S. National Team games, and in 2003 the FIFA Women's World Cup staged games in the Rose City, including the USA-Germany semifinal that had an attendance of 27,623. The USL Timbers regularly finished among the attendance leaders from 2001-2010. The franchise's record gate was 16,382 for a 2009 U.S. Open Cup third round game against Sounders FC.

Different Teams, Same Schmetzer

The names and affiliations of the teams may have changed, but Brian Schmetzer has been a constant for the Emerald City sides. Schmetzer, now the Sounders FC first assistant coach, first faced the Timbers as a 19-year-old rookie for the NASL Sounders in 1982 (a 4-1 away win). In 1985, he played three times, scoring once against FC Portland in the Western Soccer Alliance. Schmetzer's head coaching career commenced against the Timbers in 2002 with a pair of victories. His teams finished 18-12-4 against Portland.

Cascadia Cup Origins

The Cascadia Cup was formally commissioned in 2003 with financial support by the Emerald City Supporters (Seattle), Timbers Army (Portland) and Southsiders (Vancouver). This makes it a supporters' cup, growing organically from the fans of the teams, rather than through the league or the teams that participate. Like many supporters' trophies it has become a symbol of the rivalry, and becomes possession of the winning club's supporters group. While there are at least eight other rivalry cups within MLS, only the Cascadia Cup is contested by more than two teams.

The trophy is awarded only for match-ups in League play, and during years of an unbalanced schedule has only included the final home and away match between each team. Total points determines the winner. The primary tiebreaker is most wins, followed by away goals. Vancouver won the first Cascadia Cup in 2004. During the five seasons that all three teams were in USL-1, the Whitecaps won the Cup three times and the Sounders twice. When Seattle joined MLS in 2009 the two remaining teams contested the trophy as a two-way rivalry. Portland won the Cup in both 2009 and 2010.

Block Party Precedes March

Sounders FC fans ages 21 and over can celebrate the renewal of the rivalry matches beginning mid-afternoon Saturday. The Emerald City Supporters and Fuel Sports Bar are hosting the Brougham Block Party starting at 2 p.m. at the corner of Occidental Avenue and South Washington Street in Pioneer Square. The March to the Match begins at 7 p.m. in Occidental Park.

The Legend of Levesque

Three members of Sounders FC are quite familiar with the Timbers and their fans, having played for the Cascadia Cup during their days with the USL-1 franchise. Defender Zach Scott, whose pro career began with the Sounders in 2002, has played the most against Portland, with Taylor Graham joining the fray in 2005. Yet Roger Levesque has probably inflicted more damage than any player, scoring a total of 10 goals in the series, including the opener for Sounders FC in the 2009 Open Cup win. From 2004-08, Levesque scored nine goals, including four game-winners for the Sounders in USL-1 games against Portland. He scored all three goals in a two-game, 2005 postseason sweep. At Columbus last week he made his first start since September 4, 2010 at New England.

Evans on the Spot

Despite missing his third game of the season at Columbus last week, midfielder Brad Evans raised him team-leading goals total to four. For the second match in a row Evans converted from the penalty spot at D.C. United. His best goal haul was five at Columbus in 2008.

Anniversary Dates

May 12, 1974 - A crowd of 12,132 turned out for the NASL Sounders' home debut, a 4-0 victory over Denver at Memorial Stadium

May 12, 1995 - The U.S. Women's National Team played its first match in Washington, beating Brazil, 3-0, at Tacoma's Franklin Pierce High School. Mia Hamm scored twice

Reserve League: Two Home Matches This Week

Sounders FC resumes MLS Reserve League play on Monday, May 9 at home against Chivas USA. First kick is 7 p.m. Seattle won its opening game on April 3, beating San Jose, 1-0.

All Reserve League home matches will be played at the Starfire Sports Stadium. There is no charge for admission however donations ($5 suggested) will be accepted at the gate with proceeds directed toward the Sounders FC community partners. Parking is $5 or free with a Starfire membership. Seattle will host another Reserve League match on May 15 against Portland. First kick is 1 p.m. PT.

Note: Two Time Changes

First kick for Seattle's game at Portland on July 10 has been moved up to 1 p.m. PT at JELD-WEN Field. The Sounders FC-Timbers match will be televised by ESPN2.

Kickoff for the June 11 home match versus Vancouver was changed to 7:30 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. The match will be nationally televised by Fox Soccer.

Match Recap: Sounders FC 1 at D.C. United 2 - May 4, RFK Stadium

Brad Evans' second-half penalty kick was not enough for Sounders FC to fight back from a two-nil deficit as Charlie Davies and Josh Wolff each registered a goal and an assist, ending Seattle's six-game unbeaten streak.

Seattle's lone goal came in the 71st minute after Fredy Montero was taken down by Dejan Jakovic in the box. Evans fired a low shot to the left corner as D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid dived the other way. Evans now has four goals this season, three in his last two games.

Sounders FC had several chances to equalize and put the pressure on D.C. United as head coach Sigi Schmid brought on Mauro Rosales as an extra attacker in the 59th minute, substituting in for defender James Riley.

In the 73rd minute, Roger Levesque fired a right-wing cross into Alvaro Fernandez at the far post. His header was tipped over the crossbar by a leaping Hamid.

Fredy Montero created an opening for himself at the top of the box in the 76th minute and curled a shot toward the top right corner but Hamid made another leaping save, sending the ball over the crossbar again.

D.C. United struck in the 31st minute when Davies found space down the right side before sending a cross to Wolff who was able to put the one-touch ball into the back of the far side of the net. That ended a 268-minue scoreless stretch for the Sounders FC defense.

Wolff returned the favor early in the second half when he made a run up the right side before firing a cross to the back post where a sliding Davies sent the ball into the back of the net in the 52nd minute. Davies moved his league-leading goals total to six.

Kasey Keller denied Davies in the 68th minute, tipping his header wide of the right post.

Match Recap: Sounders FC 1 at Columbus Crew 1 - May 7, Crew Stadium

Fredy Montero scored his second goal of the season as Sounders FC held on for a draw against the Crew in a match played in a steady, often heavy rain.

Columbus extended its unbeaten streak to a league best seven matches (3-0-4), allowing only three goals over that span.

Sounders FC struck early when Erik Friberg found room on the right side and sent the ball forward to Montero whose header ricocheted off the near post and into the back of the net in the seventh minute. It was Friberg's second assist of the season.

The Crew were able to equalize midway through the second half when Seattle defender Patrick Ianni tangled with Chad Marshall and was called for a foul inside the box on a Columbus corner kick. On the ensuing penalty kick, Seattle keeper Kasey Keller dived to his right but Emilio Renteria went the other way with his shot, finding the net and putting the Crew on the board in the 67th minute.

The Crew kept the pressure on throughout the second half and Sounders FC relied on Keller to make several five saves on the night to ensure leaving Columbus with a point. In the first minute of stoppage time, Andres Mendoza lined up for a free kick and attempted to bend it over the wall and into the goal but Keller made the leaping save with an outstretched left arm to clear the ball over the crossbar.

In the 82nd minute, Eddie Gaven had an opportunity when he controlled the ball near the Seattle goal but Keller covered his left post and made the play on Gaven's shot attempt. Keller also made saves on attempts by Gaven in the 10th minute, Robbie Rogers in the 32nd, and Renteria in the 50th.

Seattle's closest chance to get the go-ahead came in the 85th minute when Mike Fucito sent a cross into the goal area that was knocked to the ground by Crew goalkeeper, William Hesmer. However no Sounders were able to get to the ball before Hesmer recovered the loose ball.

Montero had a chance to score a second goal in the 59th minute but his header sailed over the crossbar.

Wearing its shale kit for the first time, Seattle nearly went ahead by two goals in the 29th minute when Roger Levesque intercepted a pass outside the Crew area. He fired from 15 yards but the shot was blocked a sliding Marshall.

Manchester United: Europe & England Double Within Reach

Anticipation of Manchester United's visit to Seattle continues to build as the on-sale date nears while the Red Devils close-in on both domestic and European titles. Man United is coming off a massive week in which it booked a place in the UEFA Champions League final and all but sealed a record-breaking 19th English league championship following victories over Germany's Schalke 04 (4-1) and Chelsea (2-1), respectively.

Manchester United will face Barcelona on May 28 at London's Wembley Stadium for the Champions League trophy. United needs only a draw in its final two matches to wrap-up the Premiership.

Sounders FC hosts Manchester United on July 20 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. The presenting partners are AT&T and Samsung Mobile. The friendly is part of the Sounders FC full 18-match season ticket package.

Prior to the June 1 public on-sale date for individual tickets, fans can guarantee seats for Manchester United by purchasing a three match ticket package for $99. The three match ticket packages also include the June 23 game against the New York Red Bulls and October 15 against the San Jose Earthquakes. The packages are available by phone at 1-877-MLS-GOAL or online at www.SoundersFC.com mrkLEut81OGRKlCDjM5aMZ8OzTDvvRN8g].

Among the Leaders

Sounders FC has played 10 games through the first eight weeks (T-1st). The club has scored 12 goals, second in MLS, and its 14 assists are tied for third. Seattle is tied for first with 135 total shots and 49 on goal. Sounders FC also leads the league in fouls committed (152) and is third in corner kicks (50). Kasey Keller and Osvaldo Alonso are two of three players to have played 900 minutes this season. Brad Evans is second in scoring with four goals and Mauro Rosales is tied fifth with three assists. Fredy Montero leads the league in shots (28) and shots on goal (15). Keller is tied 7th with a goals against average of 1.00 and is tied second with 28 saves.

Series Notes

The two clubs have met four times since Seattle joined MLS in 2009: twice in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup and twice in preseason play. The visiting side has won every match, including two Sounders FC Open Cup road wins. Roger Levesque and Stephen King scored in a 2-1 win in 2009 and Nate Jaqua helped the Rave Green earn a 1-1 draw in 2010, with Seattle advancing on penalty kicks, 4-3. Zach Scott scored the decisive penalty kick and Kasey Keller made two saves in the shootout. The Cascadia rivals also met in the 2010 Community Shield with the visiting Timbers winning, 1-0. Portland also won in the 2011 Cascadia Summit at Starfire, 2-0.

About Portland

The Timbers have matched Seattle with 13 points through the first eight weeks but have played two fewer games. Portland has won all four of its home matches, including four of its last five overall, but are yet to win on the road (0-3-1). The Timbers are tied fifth in MLS with 11 goals, seven of which have come off set pieces, including Danso "Futty" Mamadou's winner against Philadelphia on Friday night. Portland is 10th with 95 shots (32 on goal). The defense has allowed 13 goals for a 1.63 goals against average (16th in MLS). The offense has scored three goals on two occasions at home but has not scored more than one goal in a road game, having been shutout twice.

Timbers Notables

Kenny Cooper leads the Portland attack with three goals on a team-high 18 shots (eight on goal). Jack Jewsbury has scored twice with three assists and has played all 720 minutes. Cooper and Jewsbury are the only Timbers to score on the road. Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan leads the team with four assists and Colombian forward Jorge Perlaza has started all eight games with two goals. Darlington Nagbe, the second overall selection in the 2011 SuperDraft, has started twice in six appearances and Colombian Designated Player Diego Chara has started two of three games. Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has started three games, allowing six goals on 17 shots. Troy Perkins has started the last three games in net, allowing one goal per game with nine saves.

Timbers Connections

Forward Nate Jaqua is from Eugene, Oregon, and, like Kasey Keller, played collegiately for the University of Portland. Defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Timbers forward Jorge Perlaza are cousins. Tyson Wahl played with Portland midfielder Jack Jewsbury for three seasons at Kansas City (2006-08). Terry Boss is from Philomath, Oregon. Sig Schmid coached midfielder Adam Moffat for two seasons in Columbus (2007-08).

Throw-ins

Seattle is seeking just its second win in the month of May. After tying all five games during the month in 2009 and going 1-3-1 last season, it is now 1-4-7 in May. The club's best month has been October (6-1-0)...Defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado turns 27 on Monday, May 16...The 22 fouls committed and five yellow cards at Columbus were club records...The Rave Green are 17-7-10 in regular season home matches and now 24-4-8 all-time when scoring first...Seattle remains undefeated (3-0-3) in all competitions against Columbus. It is also unbeaten versus Chicago (3-0-2) and FC Dallas (1-0-3)...Hope Solo, a native of Richland, Wash. and past recipient of the Sounders FC Golden Scarf, was named to the 21-player U.S. National Team for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. Play for the U.S. begins June 28 in Dresden...The Sounders FC Academy teams are preparing for the resumption of play later this month. The U16 and U18 boys return from a three-month hiatus by hosting California on May 28 at Starfire...Defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado will sign autographs at the Qwest Field Pro Shop on Tuesday, May 10 from 6-7 p.m...Come meet midfielder Osvaldo Alonso on Thursday, May 12 from 5-6 p.m. in Bothell at the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Thrasher's Corner Branch (located inside the Safeway Store). Visit SoundersFC.com for more information.

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