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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

March 30, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Unblemished in two games at home, Seattle Sounders FC (2-0-0) takes to the road for the first time on Saturday at unbeaten Toronto FC (1-0-1). Kickoff is 1 p.m. PT at BMO Field.

The match will be aired live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and throughout Canada on CBC. Calling the game in Spanish on 1210 AM Ke Buena will be Rene Aleman, Noe Menendez and Victor Hernandez.

With six points, Sounders FC holds the early lead in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer by virtue of goal difference over Chivas USA. Despite playing its first two matches on the road, Toronto is tied with New England for second in the East, behind Chicago. Each has four points.

The last team to start a season with three straight wins was Kansas City in 2006.

Following the trip to Ontario, Sounders FC returns home to Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field on April 11 to face the Kansas City Wizards at 7:30 p.m. PT. Seattle's first two home games sold out but tickets are available for all remaining home dates by calling 1-877-MLS-GOAL or by visiting www.SoundersFC.com.

Upcoming Competition Schedule (All times Pacific)

Saturday, April 4, 1 p.m. - at Toronto FC; BMO Field, Toronto

Saturday, April 11, 7:30 p.m. - Kansas City Wizards; Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field

Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. - at Chivas USA; The Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. - San Jose Earthquakes; Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field

Upcoming Training Schedule, March 31-April 7 (subject to change):

Monday, March 30 - No Training

Tuesday, March 31 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, April 1 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Thursday, April 2 - Travel Day (Reserves Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.)

Friday, April 3 - Training in Toronto (site, time TBD); Reserves Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Sunday, April 5 - Travel Day (No Training)

Monday, April 6 - No Training

Tuesday, April 7- Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Kickoff Time Change for June 17 Home Game Against D.C. United

Kickoff time for the June 17 match between Sounders FC and D.C. United has been moved to 7:30 p.m. PT. The game at the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field will be aired live on ESPN2.

Seattle SCORES! Fundraiser at Kells

Coach Sigi Schmid, Owner/GM Adrian Hanauer and Forward Nate Jaqua will be at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub on Tuesday, March 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., as they answer questions on all things Sounders FC and help raise money for Seattle SCORES!

A Change in Atmosphere

In the franchise's first two outings, Sounders FC has been backed by passionate, partisan capacity crowds. The team has scored five times, not surrendered a single goal and quickly bonded with its supporters. In Toronto, the tables will be turned. TFC has sold-out each home game in the team's first two seasons, and 20,000 plus red-clad supporters will fill BMO Field for the Reds' 2009 home opener.

More from Montero

Fredy Montero followed his record-tying opening night performance with a thunderous drive for Seattle's second score in the win over Real Salt Lake. The 30-yard blast kept Montero atop the MLS scoring table with three goals, plus an assist. The goal is nominated for Sierra Mist Goal of the Week. Fans can vote for the winner at MLSnet.com.

Montero was named the MLS Player of the Week for Week 1 and his first goal earned Sierra Mist Goal of the Week. He is the first player since Luciano Emilio (D.C. United, 2 goals) in 2007 to score in his first two MLS games. In the opener against New York, Montero's two goals and an assist matched Brian McBride's 1996 debut for Columbus.

Keller Wins Week 2 MLS Player of the Week

Goalkeeper Kasey Keller turned in another clean sheet in Week 2, making five saves, including a stop at the feet of RSL striker Yura Movsisyan in the 49th minute to preserve a 1-0 lead. His performance earned him MLS Player of the Week. Keller becomes just the third keeper in MLS history and the first since 1996 to post shutouts in his first two starts. He joins Mark Dodd of Dallas and Tom Liner of San Jose who both did so in 1996.

Keller has yet to allow a goal in five games played in Seattle during his professional career. Prior to this season his only previous Seattle appearances were as keeper for the U.S. National Team and all were shutout victories: Honduras (4-0, Safeco Field, 2002), Venezuela (2-0, Seahawks Stadium, 2003) and Canada (2-0, Qwest Field, 2005).

The Wonder of Oz

Besides being a master at ball-winning in midfield, Osvaldo Alonso is making his mark as a playmaker. Last year's USL-1 Rookie of the Year, Alonso has helped get Seattle off to a strong start by assisting on three of the team's five goals. The 23-year-old Cuban becomes the third player in MLS history to earn three or more assists in his first two league appearances. Bryan Namoff did so for D.C United in 2001 and Carlos Hermosillo had four for L.A. in 1998.

Sigi's Final Countdown

Sigi Schmid is approaching the summit of two MLS coaching categories. The league's active leader in wins (258), Schmid is 15 matches away from surpassing Bob Bradley (272) in career games coached, and is nine wins shy (115) of Bradley's MLS record 124 victories. New England's Steve Nicol is No. 2 among active coaches in wins (88) and No. 3 overall.

More About Schmid

Schmid's career mark against Toronto FC is 3-0-3. His Columbus teams were 2-0-1 against TFC in 2007 and 1-0-2 last season. Schmid's Crew was 1-0-2 at BMO Field. Following Seattle's opening two wins, Schmid is 6-0-0 in career games played in March. His combined April record from L.A. and Columbus is 13-8-13, and was 3-1-0 with the Crew last season.

Chasing History

Sounders FC has become the first MLS expansion team since 1998 to win its first two games. Chicago also won its first two matches, before losing its next five (one by shootout). Chicago and Miami were the last expansion teams to qualify for the playoffs, with the Fire going on to win the 1998 MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup.

Almost Home

The Sounders FC roster features two former Toronto FC players. Starting central defender Tyrone Marshall was acquired in a preseason trade for allocation money. Marshall started 39 of 40 games in 1-plus seasons in Toronto. Jarrod Smith, currently on the Seattle injured reserved list, was taken in the MLS expansion draft last November. Smith played 20 games for TFC and scored in his debut.

Marshall for the Defense

The Sounders FC backline has held firm in its first two games, not allowing a goal. Marshall's experience in organizing a back four is extensive. The Jamaican National Team skipper celebrated his 250th MLS appearance last week. Marshall is tied for 11th in active player appearances and he is 22nd overall. Steve Ralston (358) of New England is the leader in both categories. Seattle technical director Chris Henderson (317) ranks No. 2 all-time.

Ready for More Freddie?

Freddie Ljungberg made his Sounders FC debut in Week 2, coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute to a standing ovation. It was Ljungberg's first competitive action since representing Sweden during the 2008 European Championships last June. He underwent surgery to repair a hip condition in December.

Week 2 Recap

Nate Jaqua continued his run of success against Real Salt Lake by scoring early, the Sounders FC defense held strong despite yielding 12 corner kicks and Fredy Montero eventually provided some insurance in the 2-0 victory in Week 2. Jaqua was on the end of a Steve Zakuani pass for a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. Jaqua has now scored six goals in his last six games against RSL, including three game-winners. The visitors out-shot Seattle 10-4 in the second half, and also earned 10 corners after halftime. Montero's goal came against the run of play on Osvaldo's second assist of the night. Sounders FC had ended the first half with an 8-3 advantage in shots and 6-2 in corners.

About Toronto FC

Toronto FC is off to the best start in its three-year existence while playing twice on the road. The Reds, strengthened by the off-season acquisition of Canadian star Dwayne De Rosario, are coming off a 1-1 draw at Columbus, where they equalized on an own goal in the 84th minute. TFC beat Kansas City, 3-2, in its opener on March 21 behind two goals from Amado Guevera and another from captain Jim Brennan. Toronto FC went 0-4 in their inaugural season and 0-2 to begin 2008.

Been to BMO

Of the active Sounders FC players, Marshall has played 18 times at BMO field, all as a member of the Reds. Marshall has never played against TFC. Four others have played in Toronto previously: James Riley (twice), Nate Jaqua, Nathan Sturgis and Tyson Wahl, once each.

Join the Crowds

More than 60,000 fans have watched the first two Sounders FC games, both sellouts. The attendance for the Real Salt Lake game was 28,548 after a throng of 32,523 had congregated for the inaugural home match at Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Stadium capacity for the remaining MLS matches is listed as 27,700.

Smith Held Out by Kiwis

Forward Jarrod Smith accompanied the New Zealand National Team to Bangkok for the March 28 friendly with Thailand. Smith did not play. He is currently on Seattle's injured reserve list while recovering from a hip-flexor strain.

Current Training Squad

The following players began the week training in Seattle: Goalkeepers (3): Ben Dragavon*, Chris Eylander, Kasey Keller; Defenders (9): Evan Brown, Taylor Graham, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Tyrone Marshall, James Riley, Zach Scott, Nathan Sturgis, Tyson Wahl; Midfielders (8): Ely Allen*, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Stephen King, Sebastien Le Toux, Freddie Ljungberg, Sanna Nyassi; Peter Vagenas; Forwards (6): Kevin Forrest, Nate Jaqua, Roger Levesque, Fredy Montero, Jarrod Smith+, Steve Zakuani.

+Injured reserve

*Invitee

Reserves Schedule (subject to change)

April 13-Portland Timbers at Starfire Sports Complex, 1 p.m.

April 21-Univ. of Washington, at Starfire Sports Complex, 1:15 p.m.

Note: All reserve team games are closed to the public

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from March 30, 2009


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