MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on July 13, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


While it represents a pause in the MLS schedule for the Seattle Sounders FC, this Saturday's friendly with English giants Chelsea is likely to be the most anticipated fixture since opening night. A record-sized crowd and a national TV audience will view the game beginning at 12 noon PT on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

Competitive play resumes on July 21 when Seattle (11-3-7 overall, 7-3-7 and 28 points in league) hosts the Houston Dynamo in the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at the Starfire Sports Stadium. The victor advances to the Cup Final in September. The next MLS game is July 25 at home against the Chicago Fire.

Less than 1,800 tickets remain for the Chelsea match. All 67,000 seats are available and the stadium will feature a grass surface for the first time this season.

To purchase tickets to future home games, call 1-877-MLS-GOAL, visit www.SoundersFC.com, any Ticketmaster outlet or the Qwest Field Box office.

Seattle has won its last four games in cup and league play and is unbeaten (3-0-2) in its last five MLS games since June 6.

Chelsea, under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, is beginning its preseason schedule and a four-game tour of the U.S. Sounders FC is the only MLS team to face the Blues. The tour continues with friendlies against Mexico's Club America and Italy's Inter and AC Milan.

Chelsea is coming off a win in the FA Cup Final, a third-place finish in the English Premier League, and a semifinal finish in the UEFA Champions League.

ESPN2 will televise the Sounders FC-Chelsea match, and it can also be heard on News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM.

Upcoming Competition Schedule (All times Pacific)

Saturday, July 18, 12 p.m. - Chelsea FC; Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field

Tuesday, July 21, 7 p.m. - Houston Dynamo; Starfire Sports Stadium, Tukwila, Wash.

Saturday, July 25, 12 p.m. - Chicago Fire; Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field

Sunday, August 2, 12 p.m. - at San Jose Earthquakes; Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

Saturday, August 8, 6 p.m. - at Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah

Upcoming Training Schedule, July 13-20 (subject to change):

Monday, July 13 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, July 14 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, July 15 - No Training

Thursday, July 16 - Training at Microsoft Campus, 10 a.m.

Friday, July 17 - Training on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field, 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 19 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Monday, July 20 - Training at Starfire Sports Stadium, 10 a.m.

Chelsea Tickets Still Available

Fewer than 1,800 tickets remain for the Sounders FC-Chelsea match on July 18. The match will be the only one featuring MLS opposition for the Blues during their American preseason tour. It will be nationally televised by ESPN and starts at 12 noon PT. To purchase, call 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets or the Qwest Field Box office, or visit www.SoundersFC.com.

Strong Second Half Start

Seattle's strong second-half start resembles its run to open the inaugural season. With last week's 2-1 win over Houston the Sounders FC has won consecutive league games for the first time since starting 3-0-0. In between MLS wins over Colorado and Houston were U.S. Open Cup triumphs over USL-1 Portland, 2-1 on July 1, and Kansas City, 1-0 on July 7. Sounders FC is now four games above .500 for the first time.

Table Tightens

Seattle now owns the second-highest point total (28) and has regained second place in the Western Conference, overtaking Chivas USA. Sounders FC trails Houston by three points. Both teams have plus-10 goal differential.

Eleven teams have accumulated 20 or more points to date. The top two teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs, along with the four teams with the next-highest point totals. Seattle meets East co-leader Chicago on July 25.

Character Building

The Sounders FC is coming off a character-building performance in its win over the Dynamo. It marked the first time Seattle has won after surrendering the game's opening goal and it came against a Houston side which owned the best point total in MLS and a record of 9-0-2 when scoring first.

London Calling

Three members share something in common with Chelsea, having made the London area their homes in recent years. Freddie Ljungberg spent 10 seasons playing in the English Premier League, the first nine with Arsenal. He moved to West Ham in 2007. Ljungberg is quite familiar to Chelsea and its followers. He was MVP BarclayCard Premier League Player of the Year in 2002 as the Gunners claimed their second Premier League and FA Cup double. He scored in Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

Kasey Keller played for three London clubs during his 16 European seasons. His professional career began at Millwall, where he as a fan favorite from 1992-96. After spells at Leicester City and Spain's Rayo Vallecano, Keller returned to London with Tottenham in 2001, playing four seasons for Spurs. His final season in the EPL was 2007-08 with Fulham. His late-season heroics in goal helped the Cottagers avoid relegation.

Steve Zakuani spent his school age years in London following his family's move from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He attended Gladesmore Community School and played in both the Arsenal youth system and Independent Football Academy, both in the English capital.

Cup Semifinal Tickets Going Fast

A limited number of $10 bleacher seats are still available for the July 21 semifinal date with Houston. Covered grandstand seating has sold out. There will be limited seating capacity. Tickets are general admission and fans are encouraged to arrive early to get the best possible seats. For information on Open Cup tickets please visit www.SoundersFC.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.

Barcelona Tickets on Sale

Tickets for the Sounders FC match with reigning European champion FC Barcelona are also on sale with less than 2,000 remaining. Barca will play Sounders FC on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field on Wednesday, August 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. Barcelona won its third UEFA Champions League crown two months ago against Manchester United in Rome. Barca's remarkable treble also included titles in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Sounders FC season ticket holders have received tickets to the game as part of their 18-match package, which also includes Chelsea and the MLS Cup. Tickets will be available at www.SoundersFC.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Fredy's En Fuego

Forward Fredy Montero owns the hottest foot in MLS, having scored goals in five straight league games. It is the longest such streak in the league this season and he has totaled six goals and five assists in the last eight outings. Montero is now second in MLS scoring with nine goals and six assists. He shares the lead in game-winning goals with three. Montero earned March Player of the Month after scoring three times in the first two matches. He started his first Open Cup match versus Kansas City and was fouled to earn the decisive penalty kick in the 89th minute.

June, July & Jaqua

Summertime has proven to be bountiful for Nate Jaqua. Along with Montero, Jaqua has figured prominently in the unbeaten run through cup and league play. Jaqua finished June with three goals and one assist after scoring twice and earning an assist in the 3-0 victory over Colorado on June 28. That also earned Jaqua MLS Player of the Week and his first goal was voted MLS Goal of the Week. Since then Jaqua has earned an assist in the cup road win at Portland and another on Montero's opener versus Houston.

June is Jaqua's most productive month, with 14 goals in 25 MLS career games. He has contributed either a goal or an assist in seven of the last nine games. He has six goals to date. His best season total was eight with Chicago in 2006.

Freddie's In-Form

Freddie Ljungberg has totaled four assists and a goal in his last six games. Corner kicks by Ljungberg led to a Montero goal against Colorado and Patrick Ianni's winner versus the Dynamo. All four of Seattle's set-play goals this season have involved Ljungberg.

Multi-national Triumvirate

Good things happen when a Swede, a Colombian and an American get together for Seattle. Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua are the top three Sounders FC scorers and they have been heavily involved in the offensive production of late. At least one of those players has scored or assisted on the team's last eight and 17 of the last 18 goals scored. Together, Montero (6), Jaqua (5) and Ljungberg (1) have scored 12 of the last 14.

Chasing History

At 7-3-7 through the first 17 league games, Seattle is off to the best start for an MLS expansion franchise since the Chicago Fire (12-5-0) in 1998. Miami and Chicago are the only expansion teams to reach the playoffs, with the Fire winning both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in its first season.

Previous Expansion Starts

Team 17 Games 18 Games 1st Season Notes

Chicago (1998): 12-5-0 13-5-0 Won MLS Cup, U.S. Open Cup

Miami (1998): 6-11-0 7-11-0 1st round playoffs

Salt Lake (2005): 3-10-4 3-11-4 Finished 5th, West

Chivas USA (2005): 1-13-3 2-13-3 Finished 6th, West

Toronto (2007): 5-8-4 5-9-4 Finished 7th, East

San Jose (2008): 3-9-5 3-9-6 Finished 7th, West

Seattle (2009): 7-3-7

Crowds Swell

Due to the demand for Sounders FC tickets, stadium capacity has been expanded to 32,400 for the final seven MLS home games. A record crowd of 32,526 watched the June 28 win over Colorado. Capacity was 27,700 for home dates between March 28 and June 17. The team will utilize the full stadium capacity of 67,000 for Chelsea and FC Barcelona.

Attendance Record

Sounders FC is the first franchise in MLS history to have 28,000 or more fans at 10 consecutive regular season or postseason home games. Each of the first 10 games on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field has sold out. Seattle leads MLS with a nine-game average of 29,984. The MLS record for a season attendance average is 28,916, set by the L.A. Galaxy in 1996.

Records Watch

Saturday's crowd for the Sounders FC-Chelsea FC friendly will be the largest for the franchise and it threatens to break the record attendance for a soccer match played in Seattle.

The top 10 attendances are as follows:

66,830* August 9, 2006 Qwest Field Real Madrid v D.C. United (friendly)

66,722* July 22, 2003 Seahawks Stadium Manchester United v Celtic (friendly)

58,218* April 9, 1976 Kingdome Seattle v New York (friendly; Pele 2 goals)

56,416 April 16, 2008 Qwest Field Mexico v China (friendly)

56,256 August 25, 1977 Kingdome Seattle v Los Angeles (NASL playoffs)

49,606 August 9, 1980 Kingdome New York at Seattle (NASL)

47,052 May 31, 2008 Qwest Field Brazil v Canada (friendly)

43,651 January 29, 1994 Kingdome U.S. v Russia (friendly)

42,091 August 17, 1977 Kingdome Minnesota at Seattle (NASL playoffs)

41,270 July 10, 1977 Kingdome Seattle v New York (NASL)

Keller, Ljungberg Named to MLS All-Star First XI

Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg were named to the MLS All-Stars First XI on Monday. Keller and Ljungberg were among seven first-time All-Stars selected. The First XI-consisting of one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards-received the most votes at their respective position from four groups: fans, players, media and coaches/general managers.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto of the Columbus Crew led all players in combined voting, followed by Landon Donovan of the L.A. Galaxy and Conor Casey of the Colorado Rapids.

Keller (U.S.) and Ljungberg (Sweden) are among nine members of the First XI to have represented their countries in international play.

On July 20, Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear and his staff's selections will be announced. Two Commissioner's selection will complete the 18-man game-day roster. Kinnear earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by leading his team to the highest points per game average in the league through games on June 28.

The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. Kinnear will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. If First XI selections are unavailable due to injury, international duty or other commitments, Kinnear will select alternates for the game day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars. The inactive, or alternate All-Star roster, will be announced at a later date.

The 14th annual MLS midsummer showcase will bring together Major League Soccer's best for a marquee matchup on July 29, 2009, versus 2009 FA Cup finalists Everton FC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, the home of Real Salt Lake. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and Galavision at 6:30 p.m. PT.

Chelsea in Seattle

This marks Chelsea's fourth visit to Seattle and second to Qwest Field. In 2004, during the early days of Jose Mourinho's tenure, the Blues defeated Scotland's Celtic, 4-2, before a crowd of 30,504. Chelsea's goals were scored by Alexi Smertin (16'), Eidur Gudjohnsen (50') and two from Mateja Kezman (68', 86').

Among those expected to return for a second visit to Seattle are captain John Terry, Frank Lampard (more than 400 appearances and 100 goals), goalkeeper Petr Cech and Joe Cole.

The original North American Soccer League Sounders won a friendly, 2-0, at the Kingdome in 1977. Chelsea first toured in 1967, defeating a local amateur side, 5-0, at Memorial Stadium.

Chelsea/Sounders FC Connections

Ashley Cole, starting left back of Chelsea, was a teammate of Freddie Ljungberg at Arsenal from 1999-2006. Together, Ljungberg and Cole played on EPL championship sides in 2002 and 2004, and FA Cup wins in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Nicolas Anelka, the Blues' top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions last season, played with Ljungberg during the 1998-99 campaign.

Blues of Sounders Past

The NASL Sounders featured a pair of former stars from Chelsea's successful sides in the late Sixties and early Seventies. Tommy Baldwin came to Seattle for the 1975 season, a year after completing a nine-year run at Stamford Bridge. He scored 74 goals and was a member of the FA Cup winners in 1970 (and runners-up in 1967).

Alan Hudson, the England international midfielder, starred for Seattle from 1979-82. He was the Sounders captain and helped lead the team to an NASL-record 25 wins in 1980 and the league final in 1982. In 102 appearances he assisted on a team record 48 goals. At Chelsea (1968-74), Hudson joined Baldwin in winning the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1971 over Real Madrid. An injury prevented Hudson from playing in the 1970 FA Cup final.

Chelsea in America

Chelsea's preseason tour also includes three friendlies against international opposition. It plays Inter Milan in Pasadena on July 21, AC Milan in Baltimore on July 24 and Club America on July 26 at Arlington, Texas. Chelsea has been touring America regularly, having met the MLS All-Stars in 2006 and L.A. Galaxy in 2007.

Chelsea meets Manchester United for the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on August 9 before beginning Premiership play on August 15 at Stamford Bridge against Hull City.

Sounders FC & Dale Chihuly Unveil the Emerald Spire

The Sounders FC and renowned artist Dale Chihuly have entered a five-year partnership to create a unique piece of commemorative artwork that will be presented to the club's friendly opponents, beginning with Chelsea FC on July 18.

Chihuly has created the striking Emerald Spire, based on Chihuly's Venetian series of hand-blown glass. The mirrored surface of the Venetian reflects the excellence of each team that will be hosted by the Sounders and Seattle. The artwork, which boasts an emerald feather, stands approximately 20 inches high and measures 5 inches in width at its base.

Sounders FC will host Chelsea and FC Barcelona as its two international friendlies on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field this season. The Barcelona match is set for August 5.

Announce Amateur Soccer Tournament at Alki Beach

The Sounders FC Soccer Beach Blast, presented by Super Supplements, will be held on Alki Beach on Sunday, August 23. Registration is $75 per team. Interested teams can register at www.soundersfc.com.

The 32-team, 3-on-3 soccer tournament will be played on sand at Alki Beach. Each team is allowed up to five players and all participants must be 18-years-old. Each team will play a minimum of two matches. Each match will consist of two seven-minute periods with a one-minute halftime break.

Fans can visit a Western Washington Super Supplements location to pick up a coupon good for $15.00 off their team's registration fee. All registration will occur online at www.soundersfc.com/beachsoccer.

Tournament space is limited to the first 32 teams who register. For more information and to register visit www.SoundersFC.com/beachsoccer.

Marshall Back in Town

Central defender Tyrone Marshall is expected to be available for selection this week after completing his obligations to the Jamaica National Team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Marshall, who has 68 caps, last played for Seattle on June 28. He started and played every minute of Jamaica's three group stage matches. The Reggae Boyz finished third in their group with one win and two losses but did not advance to the quarterfinal stage. Marshall started 15 of the first 16 MLS matches for Sounders FC, scoring one goal and one assist.

When Country Calls

Two Seattle players are representing their respective national teams during the ongoing CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Gold Cup runs through July 26, with the final being played in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Midfielder Brad Evans (United States) and midfielder/defender Leo Gonzalez (Costa Rica) will be unavailable until their team's tournament run is completed. Evans earned his first two international caps, coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute of the 4-0 U.S. win over Grenada on July 4 in Seattle and starting the 2-2 draw with Haiti on July 11. The U.S. faces Panama in a quarterfinal game on Saturday at Philadelphia.

Costa Rican defender Leo Gonzalez, signed but still awaiting receipt of his P-1 work permit and International Clearance, will also join the team after the Gold Cup. Gonzalez, 28, has been capped 59 times by Costa Rica, including three starts during the 2006 World Cup. He started and played the full 90 minutes of the Ticos' opening Gold Cup game against El Salvador on July 3. Costa Rica is matched against Guadeloupe in the quarterfinal to be played Sunday in Dallas.

July: Sounders FC Stay Home

The Sounders FC is in the midst of playing five consecutive matches at home. Seattle defeated Kansas City at Starfire in a cup quarterfinal on July 7 and, four days later, rallied to defeat Houston, 2-1, on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

After Chelsea, the Sounders FC hosts Houston in the cup semifinal and Chicago. In August and September the team plays six of nine league games on the road.

Schmid's Travels

Seattle was without head coach Sigi Schmid for the Houston match. Schmid was in northern California attending the marriage of his son, Kurt Schmid, who is a Sounders FC assistant coach and scout. Brian Schmetzer, the top assistant on the staff, served as head coach in Sigi's absence.

Before returning to Seattle, Schmid joined members of the 2008 Columbus Crew for a trip to the White House on Monday afternoon. The Crew will be honored by President Barack Obama for winning the MLS Cup. Sounders FC assistant coach Ezra Hendrickson and midfielder Brad Evans, former Columbus players, are also expected to attend the ceremony.

Last MLS Game Recap: Seattle Sounders FC 2, Houston Dynamo 1

Patrick Ianni's goal in the opening minute of the second half gave the Seattle Sounders FC its first comeback win, 2-1, over the Houston Dynamo before a capacity home crowd of 32,404 on July 11. Fredy Montero also scored for the Sounders FC, which pulled within three points of the league-leading Dynamo.

Ianni, a central defender, put Sounders FC ahead in the opening minute of the second half, scoring from 4 yards on an overhead kick. A corner kick by Freddie Ljungberg was headed on by Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to Ianni, standing near the right post.

Montero equalized in the 31st minute with his ninth goal of the season. Off a counterattack, he ran onto Nate Jaqua's right-wing cross and on his second touch, chipped over Onstad. Mike Chabala, trailing the play, was judged to have cleared the ball after it crossed the goal line.

A weak Sounders FC clearance led to the game's opening goal. Houston's Brad Davis fired past Kasey Keller from 16 yards after taking a square ball from Brian Mullan in the 12th minute. The Dynamo was unbeaten (9-0-2) in 11 games this year when scoring first. Seattle had been 0-3-4 when allowing the first goal.

Defenders Getting Involved

Patrick Ianni is the tenth player to score a goal for Seattle this season and the third central defender to do so. Ianni's overhead bicycle kick was nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. Tyrone Marshall and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado also have one goal. Hurtado's header to Ianni, from a Freddie Ljungberg corner, earned the Colombian his first assist. It was Ianni's second MLS career goal and the first since 2007. Ianni had already assisted on two goals. Right back James Riley has two assists as well.

Youth is Served Some of the youngest Sounders FC players are gaining experience in key roles as Schmid deals with absence and injuries to the squad. Stephen King (age 23) has been deployed in attacking midfield during each of the four cup games and also served that role against Houston as MLS play resumed. Osvaldo Alonso, the regular holding center mid, is 23. Left winger Steve Zakuani is 21 and the team's youngest player, Sanna Nyasssi (20), has started all four cup games on the right flank. Fredy Montero (21) is the team's top scorer and has started 15 of 17 MLS games. . Nathan Sturgis (22) got a starting call at left back in the third round of the Open Cup.

Men in the Middle

Over the past two weeks Sigi Schmid's midfield and central defense has been reconfigured due to national team call-ins and injuries. In midfield Stephen King made his fourth straight cup start and then his third MLS start against Houston. King, who scored two goals in cup play, helped trigger the opening goal by Fredy Montero against Houston. King put Nate Jaqua into a clear channel down the right, and Jaqua's cross to Montero resulted in the equalizer.

Against the Dynamo King was paired with Peter Vagenas, who was also starting for the third time in league play. Patrick Ianni started in central defense for the fifth time and third in the last five MLS matches. He has started in all four cup games.

Both central midfield starters Brad Evans (USMNT call in) and Osvaldo Alonso (groin strain) were out, as was center back Tyrone Marshall (Jamaica call in).

Matinee Idols

Seattle is playing the second of four straight afternoon home games. Five of the final seven home MLS games start at either 12 noon or 1 p.m. To date, Sounders FC has played four day games, going 3-0-1. Before defeating Houston, 2-1 on July 11, Seattle won at Toronto, 2-0, on April 4, and tied Los Angeles at home, 1-1, on May 10, and blanked Colorado, 3-0, on June 28.

Attack Is Clicking

Seattle's attack is beginning to fire on all cylinders, totaling 11 goals in the last five MLS games. Ten of those goals were scored at home. Prior to this recent surge, Sounders FC had netted only six goals in the six previous MLS outings.

A Clean Sheet at Last

The 3-0 win over Colorado on June 28 marked the first shutout in 10 MLS games for the defense. Kasey Keller made two saves and the Rapids were unable to convert a first-half penalty kick. An unsettled lineup contributed to an inability to earn a clean sheet in the previous nine games. Sounders FC posted shutouts in four of its first six games, and all five clean sheets have occurred in matches when the central core of Tyrone Marshall, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Keller played the entire match. Prior to the Rapids match, Seattle's last shutout was against San Jose (2-0) on April 25.

Keller's Nearly Unbeatable

Seattle is 7-1-7 when goalkeeper Kasey Keller goes the entire 90 minutes, including 6-0-3 at home. Keller set an MLS record for consecutive scoreless minutes to start a season (457), and he is the only goalkeeper in league history to post three complete shutouts to start an MLS career.

Back Four Shuffle

In the past 10 MLS games, due to injuries, suspensions, and the unexpected, coach Sigi Schmid has been forced to shuffle his back four each time. Schmid has deployed seven different players and his central defense tandem of Tyrone Marshall and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, after starting and playing the entire 90 minutes of the first 11 games, has played together only twice in the six games since. Each of the other absences was due to suspensions. Right back James Riley and left back Tyson Wahl have started each of the last seven matches. Patrick Ianni has filled in for Riley, Hurtado and Marshall.

Now Appearing

Sebastien Le Toux remains the only player to have appeared in each MLS match, starting 11. He came off the bench in the 56th minute against Houston. Le Toux has also played in each cup play-in and tournament game. James Riley leads the team in minutes played (1388), just ahead of Kasey Keller (1379) and Nate Jaqua (1375).

Leaders of the Pack

Kasey Keller is No. 3 among MLS goalkeepers with a GAA of 0.85 and five shutouts. Keller is also third in wins (7). Forward Fredy Montero is No. 2 in goals (9) and assists (6), and shares the lead in game-winning goals (3). Montero is second in fouls suffered (39) and he is tied for second in shots (52). Nate Jaqua is tied for fifth in goals (6) and second in assists (6). He is third in fouls committed (32).

Sounders FC ranks tied for first in scoring average (1.53) and third in goals allowed per game (0.94). Seattle is the team with most fouls suffered (225) and eighth in fouls committed (200). The 38 cautions and 91 corner kicks are second and third, respectively, in the league.

Trends to Date

Of Seattle's 26 goals in the first 17 games, 17 have come in the first half and 21 in the first 60 minutes. Four have come from set pieces, all from corner kicks by Freddie Ljungberg. A goal has yet to be scored from either the penalty spot or free kick. Of the nine games in which Sounders FC has scored multiple goals, seven have been at home. The defense has not allowed more than one goal in nine of 10 home games on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Four of the five shutouts have been at home.

Soldiering On

Seattle is off to the second-best start in MLS expansion history, and has done so despite facing its fair share of adversity. Sounders FC has stayed above .500 despite finishing five games shorthanded, going 0-2-3 in those contests. Resulting suspensions, injuries, national team call-ins and the unexpected have allowed Sigi Schmid to pick his starting lineup from his top players on only four occasions to date.

Score and Earn

When Sounders FC scores, points in the standings have followed, and when Seattle scores first, so much the better. It is 6-0-3 when striking first and 7-0-7 when scoring at least one goal. Each of Seattle's three losses has been by shutout.

Last USOC Game Recap: Sounders FC 1, Kansas City Wizards 0

Sebastien Le Toux scored on a penalty kick in the 89th minute to send the Seattle Sounders FC into the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Wizards on July 7 before a capacity crowd of 4,352 at Starfire Sports Stadium.

Le Toux scored his 11th career Open Cup goal by beating Kansas City keeper Kevin Hartman to the lower left corner. Le Toux had entered the match in the 71st minute as a substitute.

The penalty was called by referee Abiodun Okulaja after Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero was taken down in the box by Hartman. Before being fouled, Montero had latched onto a pass by Stephen King on the left side of the box.

Kansas City had been the only team to defeat Seattle at home this season, handing the Sounders FC a 1-0 defeat in an MLS game on April 11.

Seattle finished with a 12-6 advantage in shots and keeper Kasey Keller made only one save in posting the shutout. The Wizards owned a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

The Wizards finished with 10 men after Santiago Hirsig received his second yellow card during added time of the second half.

Seattle Sees Dynamo Double

Sounders FC will be facing Houston for the second time in 11 days. The Dynamo will arrive in Seattle following their July 18 game at Toronto. Houston advanced to the Open Cup semifinals with a convincing 4-0 blanking of the 2008 cup finalists, Charleston Battery.

Sigi & The Cup

Sigi Schmid has tasted success in Open Cups past. While with the L.A. Galaxy, Schmid won the 2001 Cup and finished runner-up in 2002. The Galaxy also reached the semifinal stage in 2000 and 2003. Schmid's career record in Open Cup play is 16-7-1.

Houston: Leader of the Pack

Despite falling in Seattle, Houston possesses the top point total (31) and scoring defense in MLS. The Dynamo has allowed only 12 goals and has posted eight shutouts. It started 0-2-2 but rebounded with winning strings of three and five matches to take over first place from Chivas USA in the West on June 20. By virtue of owning the league's best point total as of June 22, Dominic Kinnear will coach the MLS All-Stars versus Everton on July 29.

The Dynamo is missing Brian Ching (USA), Stuart Holden (USA) and Andrew Hainault (Canada) during the Gold Cup. Keeper Pat Onstad's 0.71 goals-against average and eight shutouts lead the league while Brad Davis leads the MLS in assists (7).

Seattle/Houston Connections

Houston features several personalities with Northwest ties, including two former A-League/USL-1 Sounders. Central defender Craig Waibel played for Seattle from 1999-02 following his collegiate career at Washington. Forward Cam Weaver was the Sounders' top scorer in 2005 as a rookie out of Seattle University. Weaver had helped the Redhawks win the NCAA Division II championship in 2004. Brian Ching, currently with the U.S. National Team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, starred at Gonzaga and made the all-league team with the Sounders in 2002. Dominic Kinnear, the Dynamo head coach, played for the Sounders' 1995 A-League championship team.

Mike Chabala also played his collegiate career at Washington, and Chabala assisted on the goal at Kansas City last week. Backup goalkeeper Tally Hall is a native of Gig Harbor. Danny Cruz of the Dynamo was a college teammate of Seattle's Lamar Neagle at UNLV and Kei Kamara was a teammate of James Riley in San Jose in 2008.

Available for the Cup

All four players currently on the MLS disabled list are eligible to play in Open Cup matches. Jarrod Smith has made two appearances during the cup run, however he is now out with a torn right hamstring tendon. Goalkeeper Chris Eylander (left knee medial bone bruise) and central defender Taylor Graham (right metatarsal fracture) each played in one play-in match. Michael Fucito (right foot sesamoiditis), also on the disabled list, is also available for selection.

Ex-Dynamo Duo

Two members of the Sounders FC came north from Houston during the offseason. Nate Jaqua played parts of the past two seasons for the Dynamo, scoring 10 goals and six assists in 29 regular season appearances during 2007 and '08. His goal against Kansas City in the 2007 Western Conference final helped Houston repeat as MLS Cup champion. Jaqua came to Sounders FC via the expansion draft while Patrick Ianni was obtained in a January 26 trade for a conditional pick in the 2010 SuperDraft. Ianni spent his first three pro seasons wearing orange, making 35 league appearances for the Dynamo from 2006-08.

Midweek Magic

Sounders FC is unbeaten (5-0-1) in its six midweek matches to date. Seattle opened its inaugural season by beating New York, 3-0, on Thursday, March 19. Seattle has since won a pair of Tuesday night games in U.S. Open Cup Play-Ins, defeating both Real Salt Lake, 4-1, and Colorado, 1-0. Both were played at Starfire. The sole blemish was a 3-3 draw with D.C. United at home on June 17.

Both Open Cup wins occurred in midweek. Seattle won its third-round game on Wednesday, July 1, over the USL-1 Timbers, 2-1. Last Tuesday night it advanced to the semifinals by beating Kansas City, 1-0.

Cup History in Seattle

For the third year in a row Seattle team has advanced to the semifinal stage of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The USL-1 Sounders reached this stage in both 2007 (against FC Dallas) and 2008 (Charleston)

The Open Cup is longest running team tournament championship in the U.S., dating back to 1914. It is open to both amateur and professional clubs who can qualify. The only Seattle club to qualify for an Open Cup final was the amateur Mitre Eagles in 1987. The Eagles fell to Club Espana of Washington, D.C., on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

While the NASL Sounders did not participate in the Open Cup, the A-League Sounders competed on an annual basis, beginning in 1995. They lost to El Paso in the semifinals that season, and also advanced to the final four in 1996.

Getting Here

Seattle reached the Open Cup final four by virtue of four consecutive knockout victories. It claimed one of eight MLS slots in the Open Cup with two play-in wins. Sebastien Le Toux scored two goals and assisted on scores by Sanna Nyassi and Stephen King in the 4-1 defeat of Real Salt Lake. Kevin Forrest's header from Roger Levesque and Nyassi assists fueled the 1-0 shutout of Colorado, with Kasey Keller posting the clean sheet.

Once in the tournament proper, Seattle earned a 2-1 road win at Portland of USL-1. Levesque and King connected on first-half goals. Le Toux's penalty was the difference in the quarterfinal result with Kansas City.

Speaking of Open Cup: Le Toux

When it comes to matches related to the U.S. Open Cup, Sebastien Le Toux is prolific with 11 career goals. In both 2007 and 2008 while playing for the USL-1 Sounders, Le Toux was the Open Cup goals leader, with five each season. He then converted a late PK to eliminate Kansas City on July 7. Le Toux sparked Sounders FC with two goals and two assists in a 4-1 U.S. Open Cup Play-In win over Real Salt Lake on April 28.

Cup Format Notes

If any U.S. Open Cup play-in game is tied at the end of regulation, a 30-minute extra time period (consisting of two 15-minute halves) shall be played in its entirety. If the score is still tied at the end of the 30-minute extra time period, the game shall be decided by a penalty kick tiebreaker. Teams are limited to five foreign players on the 18-player match roster.

The other semifinal the Rochester Rhinos (USL-1) at D.C. United. The cup final will take place September 1 or 2. D.C. United defeated Charleston, 2-1, for the 2008 Open Cup championship.

Sigi's Final Countdown

Now with 120 victories, Sigi Schmid is four wins shy of Bob Bradley's MLS record 124 career victories. Schmid is the career leader with 273 games coached, surpassing Bradley (272). New England's Steve Nicol is No. 2 among active coaches in wins (91) and No. 3 overall.

Current Training Squad

The following players begin the week training in Seattle: Goalkeepers (4): Terry Boss, 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 (9): Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Michael Fucito, Stephen King, Sebastien Le Toux, Freddie Ljungberg, Lamar Neagle, Sanna Nyassi, Peter Vagenas; Forwards (5): Nate Jaqua, Roger Levesque, Fredy Montero, Jarrod Smith, Steve Zakuani.

*invitee

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 13, 2009


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