Sports stats



MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

November 2, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


The Seattle Sounders FC travels to Texas for the second and deciding match of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Houston Dynamo this Sunday. Kickoff is 12 p.m. PT at Robertson Stadium. The two teams, level on aggregate following the first leg in Seattle, are vying for a place in the MLS Cup West Final.

Unbeaten (3-0-1) in its last four games, the Sounders FC (12-7-12) goes for its third straight road win. It has won four of its last five away games in all competitions. Seattle is undefeated (2-0-2) in four matches played against Houston in its inaugural season.

The Dynamo (13-8-10), MLS Cup champions in 2006 and 2007, lost only once at home during the regular season.

The winner of Sunday's match will face either the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Western Conference's top seed, or Chivas USA on November 12 or 13 for a berth in MLS Cup 2009.

Conference Semifinal series are conducted in a home-and-home, aggregate-goal format. The lower seeded team hosts the first game. The team that scores the most goals in the home-and-home series advances to the single-elimination Conference Championship. If the teams are tied after 180 minutes in the Conference Semifinal series, a 30-minute extra time period (divided into two 15-minute periods) will be played, followed by kicks from the penalty spot, if necessary.

The winners of the four series advance to a single-game Conference Championships that will determine the MLS Cup Finalists. The team with the higher seed between the two finalists will host the game. The West Final is November 12 and the East Final is November 14.

MLS Cup 2009 will be played on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field on November 22 at 5:30 p.m. PT.

Sunday's match will be televised locally on KING 5 and can be heard on KTTH: The Truth 770 AM radio with Kevin Calabro and Greg Vanney calling the action. The game will be available nationally in Spanish on TeleFutura, and locally on Ke Buena 1210 AM with Rene Aleman, Noe Menendez and Victor Hernandez calling the action.

To purchase playoff tickets, visit www.SoundersFC.com, any Ticketmaster outlet or the Qwest Field Box office.

Upcoming Competition Schedule (All times Pacific)

Sunday, November 8, 12 p.m. - at Houston Dynamo; Robertson Stadium; Houston, Texas

Thursday, November 12, 7 p.m. - MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final, teams & site, tbd

Upcoming Training Schedule, November 3-6 (subject to change):

Tuesday, November 3 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, November 4 - No Training

Thursday, November 5 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Friday, November 6 - Training at Starfire Sports Complex, 10 a.m.

Saturday, November 7 -Training at Robertson Stadium, p.m.

Grass is Good

Although Seattle plays the majority of its matches on artificial turf, the team has thrived on natural surfaces down the stretch. Sounders FC has won its last four games on grass and is unbeaten (5-0-1) in its last six on sod, dating to an August 15 win at Los Angeles. That stretch includes a 2-1 win at D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup final.

Seattle has outscored the opposition 11-5 in those road games on grass. The only losses in the last 12 games have come on FieldTurf. New England did the deed on both occasions, both at Qwest Field and Gillette Stadium.

Quick Turnaround Out West

The winner of Sunday's clash will turn around and play four days later for the Western Conference title, facing either the L.A. Galaxy or Chivas USA on November 12 or 13. The Galaxy and Chivas USA also play Sunday. The two sides tied, 2-2, in the first leg. The Eastern Conference representative in MLS Cup 2009 will be determined on Saturday, November 14.

Championship Coaches

Whatever is said in the two locker rooms prior to Sunday's match, it's a safe bet that each coach will drawn upon past experience of what it takes to win a title. After all, Seattle's Sigi Schmid and Houston's Dominic Kinnear, together, have won the last three MLS Cups and four altogether. Schmid guided the Columbus Crew to a crown in 2008 and he first accomplished that feat with Los Angeles in 2002. Kinnear's Dynamo won the league title during the club's first two seasons in Houston, 2006 and 2007.

Experience in the Nets

Each team features an experienced, internationally-tested keeper with Northwest roots anchoring a solid defense. Kasey Keller, 39, is the Sounders FC captain and is coming off his 11th shutout in his first MLS season. Keller returned to his home state this season following 17 seasons in Europe, and he holds the U.S. National Team record of 102 caps, 53 wins and 47 shutouts.

Pat Onstad, 41, has spent the majority of his career in North America. Onstad holds the Canadian National Team's mark for career shutouts (21) and is second with 56 caps. The Vancouver, B.C., native is familiar to Seattle supporters since 1987, having faced the Storm, A-League/USL-1 Sounders and now the MLS Sounders FC.

Clean Sheet Repeat?

Seattle seeks its first back-to-back shutouts since the first three rounds of the season, when it opened 3-0-0 with successive clean sheets against New York, Real Salt Lake and Toronto. Including the playoff opener, the Sounders FC has posted 11 shutouts. Only two of those have come at home, however the last regular season clean sheet was October 3 at Columbus, 1-0.

Home Draw Not Always a Drag

In MLS Cup conference semifinal series which have started with draws, the low seed has come back to win the second leg on the road in two of the six such situations in past seasons. Chicago won 4-0 at D.C. United in 2005. Last season, after tying the Dynamo 1-1 at Giants Stadium, New York won 3-0 in Houston.

Breaks of the Games

Both Seattle and Houston are returning from their longest competitive break since early September. Sounders FC was idle for 10 days after beating D.C. United for the U.S. Open Cup on September 2. On September 12 the Rave Green returned to action (and RFK) to defeat United again, 2-1 in MLS play.

After playing four games in an 11-day period, the Dynamo got its longest spell between matches since August 30-September 13, consecutive road losses at Colorado and Columbus. Prior to the draw in Seattle, Houston had played at home, in El Salvador and in Southern California.

Defense Does the Job

A scoreless draw was not exactly shocking, since Seattle and Houston had tied for the top defensive record during the regular season, each allowing 29 goals.

While defense doesn't always win championships, it does quite often. The top defensive team has always qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. In fact, the top defensive team has advanced to the MLS Cup Final eight of 13 times, wining five times.

Houston (and in its past life as the original San Jose Earthquakes) has been top defensive team six of last nine years, winning four MLS titles. The top defensive team has made final eight of last 10 years.

Not Necessarily Safe at Home

Houston matched Real Salt Lake for the fewest home losses (1) during the regular season. However, the postseason can prove another matter.

Of the 16 playoff teams with fewest home losses in regular season, seven have lost at least one home playoff game. Two others earned a draw in their only postseason home date. In three of the last four seasons, the team with the fewest regular season home losses has been eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs at home.

In 2005, San Jose (now Houston) was held to a first round draw at home, losing on aggregate, 4-2, to Los Angeles. In 2007 the best home side, Chivas USA, was tied by Kansas City, 0-0, at home, and lost (1-0) on aggregate.

In 2008, Houston and Real Salt Lake each lost just once at home during the season. New York eliminated both the Dynamo (3-0) and RSL (1-0) with wins on the road.

Card Talk

Fredy Montero, Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Evans were each issued yellow cards during the first leg. If one of those players receives a caution on Sunday and the Sounders FC advances, they would miss the Western Conference Final. The team's three total cautions were the most in five games, dating back to the September 19 match with Chivas USA.

Marshall on the Mend

Sigi Schmid expects to have central defender Tyrone Marshall available for Sunday's match after the Jamaican stalwart missed the first leg with a mild strain of the MCL in his right knee. Marshall sustained the injury the day prior to the match and originally was listed in the starting XI. He was scratched shortly before kickoff, with Patrick Ianni taking his place in the back four.

MLS Cup Playoff Bracket

Western Conference Semifinals, First Leg

Houston Dynamo 0, at Seattle Sounders FC 0, October 29

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, at Chivas USA 2, November 1

Western Conference Semifinals, Second Leg

#3 Seattle Sounders FC at #2 Houston Dynamo, 12 p.m. PT, Sunday, November 8 (KING/TeleFutura)

#4 Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy, 4:30 p.m. PT, Sunday, November 8 (ESPN2)

Eastern Conference Semifinals, First Leg

Columbus Crew 0 at Real Salt Lake 1, October 31

Chicago Fire 1 at New England 2, November 1

Eastern Conference Semifinals, Second Leg

#4 Real Salt Lake at #1 Columbus Crew, 5 p.m. PT, Thursday, November 5 (ESPN2)

#3 New England at #2 Chicago Fire, 5:30 p.m. PT, Saturday, November 7 (FSC)

Schmid's Best Record

Sigi Schmid is the MLS Cup Playoffs leader in career wins (19) and is the only coach to guide two different teams (Los Angeles in 2002 and Columbus in 2008) to the MLS Cup Championship. Schmid has now become only the third coach to take three different teams to the playoffs, joining Bob Bradley (Chicago, New York, Chivas USA) and Thomas Rongen (Tampa Bay, New England, D.C. United).

Schmid enters the week with a career postseason mark of 19-7-5. Five of his six previous playoff teams have advanced past the first round, and four (L.A. in 1999, 2001 and 2002; Columbus in 2008) have played for the MLS Cup.

Schmid, also the career leader in regular season wins (125), is 2-2-5 in regular season and playoff games against Houston (1-0-2 with Seattle; 1-2-3 with Columbus). The Dynamo franchise traces its roots to the original San Jose Earthquakes, and Schmid's Galaxy was defeated by the Quakes in MLS Cup 2001 (2-1, overtime) and the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals (5-4, aggregate).

Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley are No. 2 in postseason wins, each with 14.

Freddie is Mr. October

If October is any indication, the playoffs will be primetime for Freddie Ljungberg. Ljungberg has assisted on the last four goals scored in the regular season, and he has figured prominently in all six scores in the last three wins.

The late surge propelled Ljungberg to MLS Player of the Month for October and to fourth among MLS playmakers with nine assists. He leads the league with five game-winning assists.

After claiming the monthly award, Ljungberg was ever-present last week against Houston, probing the Dynamo defense with his runs on and off the ball, and also on set pieces. His corner kick to Patrick Ianni resulted in a free header which was cleared off the goal line by Brian Mullan. A free kick from the right found Ianni again a few minutes later for a header off the crossbar.

In the FC Dallas match on October 24, his cross to Fredy Montero at the far post led to Nate Jaqua's leveler. Again from the left channel, Ljungberg put a ball on the foot of Brad Evans for the winner six minutes from full time.

Ljungberg earned MLS Player of the Week after figuring prominently in all three goals against Kansas City on October 17. Two of the goals resulted from Ljungberg corner kicks. Although he wasn't credited with an official assist, his corner kick led to a Tyrone Marshall opener against the Wizards. Ljungberg also started the scoring sequence in the lone goal at Columbus on October 3.

Five Are Finalists for MLS Awards

Five members of Sounders FC are among the finalists for the MLS 2009 year-end awards. Kasey Keller is up for three awards: Goalkeeper of the Year, Fair Play and Newcomer of the Year. Freddie Ljungberg and Fredy Montero are also finalists for newcomer, ensuring a Seattle player will win the award. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado is a finalist for Visa Defender of the Year.

Goalkeeper of the Year and Fair Play award winners will be announced Wednesday and on Thursday the VISA Defender of the Year awards will be released. Newcomer of the Year will be announced on November 10.

Sigi Schmid is one of three finalists for MLS Coach of the Year. Schmid has won the award twice, including last season with Columbus. The Coach of the Year announcement will be November 11.

Playoff Tested

Not only does the Seattle Sounders FC feature the winningest coach in MLS postseason history, it also possesses a core unit of playoff veterans. Six members of the team have been involved in past MLS playoffs, including four who have won championships.

Tyrone Marshall and Peter Vagenas won MLS Cups as L.A. Galaxy teammates in 2002 (under Sigi Schmid) and 2005. Both are returning to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Marshall, who went to the playoffs with expansion side Miami in 1998, leads Seattle players in career playoff appearances with 21 and Vagenas is next with 19.

Brad Evans and Nate Jaqua each won MLS titles in their previous stops. Evans went all the way with Schmid's Columbus Crew in 2008. Evans scored a game-winning goal in a first round win over Kansas City. Jaqua got the goal which advanced Houston to the MLS Cup 2007 final.

James Riley returns to the postseason after a one-year absence. He was a member of New England's MLS Cup runners-up in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Tyson Wahl was a playoff starter for Kansas City in 2008.

Nate's Late Show

Nate Jaqua has rediscovered his scoring touch when it matters most, late in games and late in the season.

After scoring the game-winner at Kansas City on October 17 to clinch a playoff berth, Jaqua followed with the all-important equalizer last week versus FC Dallas.

Jaqua finished with a career-best nine goals in the regular season, and seven of those strikes have come in the second half. His goal in KC came in the 76th minute and against Dallas he struck in the 62nd minute.

He has two GWG this season and four game-tying tallies in MLS play, plus an 89th minute strike in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Houston, sending that match into overtime.

Jaqua also added a career-high seven assists, finishing No. 2 on the team. He has 41 career goals and 24 career assists.

Evans the Eliminator

A year ago, Brad Evans came on late as a goal scorer who gave opponents the boot. While with the Columbus Crew, Evans scored in the final regular season game of 2008 to eliminate D.C. United from postseason contention. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, he scored the game-winning goal in a second leg victory over Kansas City.

This year, Evans is at it again. He scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over FC Dallas put the Hoops out of the playoff race.

Evans' three goals this season have all come at home, beginning with the second score in the inaugural game win over New York on March 19. He scored again in an April 25 win (2-0) over San Jose.

Blue Means Business

Seattle is unbeaten (2-0-1) when wearing its blue kit, which it wore in Houston previously. The Sounders FC first donned those colors on August 15 for a 2-0 win at Los Angeles. Next came a 1-1 draw at Houston on August 23, followed by a 1-nil victory at Columbus on October 3. The team had worn all rave green in its first 10 road matches.

At Home on the Road

Seattle finished with the third-best away record in MLS, at 5-5-5, and did so by winning three of the last four and going 4-1-1 in the final six away games. In addition, it defeated D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup Final at RFK Stadium. The Sounders FC generated 12 goals in the last six road matches and 14 in the last seven, counting the 2-1 Cup Final victory. In the last six MLS away games the Sounders FC took more points (13) than the first nine road matches (0-4-4), combined.

Comeback Club

The regular season finale victory over FC Dallas was the third comeback win of the year. The Sounders FC has also rallied from down a goal to earn five draws. All of the wins (Houston, 2-1; Kansas City, 3-2; FC Dallas, 2-1) have come in the last half of the MLS season. Another comeback win occurred in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Houston.

All Aboard the Magic Bus

A magical first season of MLS soccer in Seattle only seems to gather more momentum as time marches on. The supporters and home match atmosphere of Sounders FC are already becoming legend. In September, the team lifted its first cup and last week it clinched a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a week to spare.

Seattle is the first expansion team in 11 seasons and the second overall to clinch a winning record in its first season. It becomes the third expansion team to make the playoffs and the first since 1998. Miami and Chicago each qualified that year.

The only other club to post a winning mark in its inaugural year was the Fire in 1998. Chivas USA finished above .500 and made the playoffs in its second year (2006). Miami (2001) and Real Salt Lake (2008) each needed four years to finish with winning records.

Sounders FC is the third first-year franchise in the modern era to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, matching the achievement of D.C. United in 1996 and Chicago, an expansion MLS team in 1998.

During the final two months of the season, Seattle won the Open Cup, ended an MLS record 22-game home unbeaten streak of Columbus, and defeated the hottest team in the league, FC Dallas.

Seattle finished the regular season with an unbeaten record (3-0-3) in six matches against the top three teams in MLS: Columbus (1-0-1), Houston (1-0-1) and Los Angeles (1-0-1).

Attendance Records Broken

Seattle set a new MLS record for attendance with an average of 30,943. The previous mark of 28,916 was set by the L.A. Galaxy in 1996. Sounders FC is the first franchise in MLS history to have 28,000 or more fans at 15 games, with each regular season match on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field a sell-out. Last Saturday's attendance of 33,108 was also a franchise regular season record.

The top 10 home season attendance averages are as follows:

2009 Seattle Sounders FC - 30,943

1996 Los Angeles Galaxy - 28,916

2008 Los Angeles Galaxy - 26,009

2007 Los Angeles Galaxy - 24,252

2005 Los Angeles Galaxy - 24,204

1996 MetroStars - 23,898

2004 Los Angeles Galaxy - 23,809

1997 New England Revolution - 21,423

1998 Los Angeles Galaxy - 21,784

2001 D.C. United - 21,518

When compared to the 2008-09 attendance averages worldwide, Seattle would rank 50th. Counting the combined 132,137 to watch the friendlies versus FC Barcelona and Chelsea, the Sounders FC would rise to 44th in the world (35,035).

1. Manchester United (England) 75,304 2. Real Madrid (Spain) 74,895 3. FC Barcelona (Spain) 73,913 4. Borussia Dortmund (Germany) 73,802 5. Bayern Munich (Germany) 69,622 6. Schalke 04 (Germany) 61,361 7. Arsenal (England) 60,040 8. Celtic (Scotland) 57,670 9. AC Milan (Italy) 57,066 10. Internazionale Milano (Italy) 55,185 50. Seattle Sounders FC (USA) 30,943

Sounders FC Form

Seattle is 10-1-3 when scoring first and 12-1-7 when scoring a goal. Six of Seattle's seven losses have been by shutout. The Sounders FC is 11-1-1 when leading at halftime.

Despite a long late summer scoring drought, Seattle has only two home defeats and a record of 7-2-7. It has outscored visitors 21-10. In its first 10 home dates, Sounders FC averaged 1.90 goals per game and went 6-1-3.

Defensively, it has not allowed more than one goal at home in the last eight games. Overall it owns a home GAA of 0.56. The 16 second-half goals allowed this season is the lowest in the league.

Held at home

The scoreless draw with the Dynamo was the fourth at home since July 25. Sounders FC had ended its 466-minute home scoreless drought in sensational fashion in the final regular season game against FC Dallas, scoring twice in the second half to come from behind and win, 2-1.

Those were the first home goals for Seattle since a 2-1 win over Houston on July 11. In the subsequent four games it settled for 0-0 draws with Chicago (July 25), Toronto FC (August 29) and Chivas USA (September 19), and lost to New England, 1-0 (August 20).

Defense Stands Firm

The Sounders FC has not allowed multiple goals in consecutive games this season. In six games in which it has given up more than one goal, Seattle has responded with a goals-against average of 0.67 in the next outing, going 3-1-2. The Sounders FC tied for first with Houston in MLS scoring defense with a GAA of 0.97.

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 2008. His goal against Kansas City in the 2007 Western Conference final helped Houston repeat as MLS Cup champion.

Jaqua, who came to Sounders FC via the expansion draft, scored two game-tying goals against the Dynamo this season. His 89th minute goal in the July 21 U.S. Open Cup semifinal sent the match into extra time. Seattle prevailed, 2-1, on a Stephen King goal. Jaqua also scored the 70th minute equalizer in an MLS meeting which ended 1-1 on August 23. In the scoreless first leg, his second-half header forced a reflex save from Pat Onstad to tip it over the bar.

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. He played in both regular season meetings this season, and scored the game-winner on a second-half overhead kick in a 2-1 Seattle home win on July 11. Last week, Ianni put two headers on goal, forcing a goal line save from Houston's Brian Mullan and later hitting the crossbar off a Ljungberg free kick.

Expansion History: Seattle Best in 11

Seattle posted the best regular season record for an MLS expansion franchise since the Chicago Fire (19-11-0) in 1998. Miami and Chicago are the only other 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 Records

Team 30 Games 1st Season Notes

Chicago (1998): 19-11-0 Won MLS Cup, U.S. Open Cup

Miami (1998): 14-16-0 1st round playoffs

Salt Lake (2005): 5-21-4 Finished 5th, West

Chivas USA (2005): 4-21-5 Finished 6th, West

Toronto (2007): 6-17-7 Finished 7th, East

San Jose (2008): 8-13-9 Finished 7th, West

Seattle (2009): 12-7-11 Won U.S. Open Cup

Note: Real Salt Lake (5-22-5) and Chivas USA (4-22-6) each played 32 matches in their first season.

Changes in the XI

Initially it appeared Sigi Schmid would start the identical XI against Houston that he had used in the regular season finale versus FC Dallas. However, Tyrone Marshall was a last-minute scratch, and was replaced by Patrick Ianni in central defense. Zach Scott was added to the 18-man roster for the match.

Another Attendance Record

The crowd of 35,807 for last week's first leg playoff was the highest for a conference semifinal, and it also ranks No. 7 among all MLS Cup Playoff matches. The top six attendances were all for MLS Cup Finals. Last week's crowd was also the largest attendance of the season for a Seattle match versus MLS opposition.

Approximately 3,000 seats had been made available in the stadium's upper deck after the original allotment was sold in some 30 minutes.

Due to the demand for Sounders FC tickets, stadium capacity was expanded to 32,400 for the final seven MLS home games. Capacity was 27,700 for home dates between March 28 and June 17. The team utilized the full stadium capacity for Chelsea and FC Barcelona. A record crowd of 66,848 watched the Barcelona friendly and the throng of 65,372 was on hand for Chelsea on July 18. It was the fourth largest attendance ever to watch soccer in Seattle. The highest attendance for a regular season game this season was the 33,108 for the October 24 win over FC Dallas.

Records Watch

The crowd of 66,848 for the Sounders FC-FC Barcelona friendly on August 5 was the largest for a soccer match played in Seattle.

The top 10 attendances are as follows:

66,848 August 5, 2009 Qwest Field Seattle v Barcelona (friendly)

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)

65,372 July 18, 2009 Qwest Field Sounders FC v Chelsea (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)

Fredy's New to Houston

Forward Fredy Montero will be playing his first match in Houston, having missed the only regular season meeting at Robertson Stadium due to suspension.

Each of Montero's last four goals in all competitions have come on the road. Altogether, Montero has scored six times on the road, five in MLS play and another in the U.S. Open Cup Final.

Montero's 12 league goals are the most scored by a player for a first-year MLS franchise, and he finished tied for third in the MLS Golden Boot race. No other player for an expansion franchise has scored more than 10 goals. He also finished tied for second on the team and ninth in the league with seven assists.

Houston is the closest MLS city to Montero's native Colombia. Houston is 2195 miles from Cali.

Leaders of the Pack

For the regular season Kasey Keller was No. 2 among MLS goalkeepers with a GAA of 0.92 and tied for 2nd in shutouts (10) and wins (12). Keller was 4th in minutes (2549) and 9th in saves (78). Forward Fredy Montero tied for 3rd in goals (12) and game-winning goals (4). Montero led MLS in shots (86) and was seventh in attempts on goal (32). Freddie Ljungberg finished 1st in game-winning assists (5). Ljungberg and Montero were 1-2 in fouls suffered (67, 62). Nate Jaqua was tied for 9th in assists (7). He was tied for 5th in fouls committed (47).

The Sounders FC ranked tied for 1st in goals allowed per game (0.97) and tied for 8th in goals scored (1.27). Seattle was 1st in fouls suffered (369). It was 2nd in corner kicks (167) and 3rd in assists (46). Seattle is 8th in fouls committed (353) and the 59 cautions ranks 5th.

About the Dynamo

Houston booked its fourth straight trip to the postseason with two weeks remaining in the regular season. However, the Dynamo have won only two of their last nine outings, going 2-2-5 since August 15.

Houston has played a grueling schedule, reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup and the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League while at the same time playing several matches without the services of national team players.

The Dynamo snapped a six-game winless road streak (0-4-2) by defeating Chivas USA on the final day of the regular season, 3-2.

Brad Davis of the Dynamo finished as the MLS co-leader in assists (12). U.S. National Team striker Brian Ching, a former USL 1 Sounders player, scored eight goals in 19 appearances. Five of Stuart Holden's six goals were game-winners (2nd in the league). Vancouver, B.C. native Pat Onstad is in goal with a GAA of 0.97 and 10 shutouts. The 41-year-old Onstad played every minute (2700) this regular season.

Up in the Air, Again

Seattle and Houston represent the farthest reaches of the Western Conference, located 3,782 miles apart. The trip to Texas this week will only add to the plentiful air mileage logged by Sounders FC this season.

The team wrapped up a demanding travel stretch on October 17 in Kansas City. It was the fourth road trip in five games and eighth in 11 MLS games since July. In September and October, the Sounders FC flew more than 25,000 miles, including the trip to Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Open Cup Final.

Two years from now MLS will have three teams in the Pacific Northwest. Portland and Vancouver join the league in 2011. Projected mileage round trip to Portland (290 miles) and Vancouver (238) will level Seattle's average flight travel with the other MLS clubs. But for now, Sounders FC remains the only team, which means inevitably traveling greater distances than the other clubs.

Based on last season, MLS clubs averaged 31,764 miles per team with New England traveling the farthest (44,940) and Kansas City the shortest (26,790). Sounders FC traveled 46,898 miles this season.

Soldiering On

Seattle finished with the league's fourth-highest point total while facing its fair share of adversity. The Sounders FC has stayed above .500 since the outset despite finishing seven games shorthanded, going 0-3-4 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 eight occasions since the start of the regular season.

Trends to Date

Of Seattle's 38 goals in the regular season, 20 came in the first half and 27 in the first 60 minutes. Seven resulted from set pieces, all from corner kicks; six by Freddie Ljungberg and one by Peter Vagenas. None of the goals came from either the penalty spot or a free kick. Of the 13 games in which Sounders FC has scored multiple goals, eight have been at home. The defense has not allowed more than one goal in 15 of 16 home games on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Eight of the 10 shutouts have been at home.

Back Four Shuffled Again

Seattle's back four was shuffled yet again for the first leg with Houston, due to an injury to Tyrone Marshall. The foursome of Leo Gonzalez, Marshall, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and James Riley had played together in four of the final five regular season games. Prior to that, from late June through mid-September, the back four alignment was shuffled 16 times in 18 games due to injuries, suspensions, national team call-ins and other factors. Riley has the most starts (28), followed by Hurtado (28). Leo Gonzalez has started the last 12 on the left. Patrick Ianni, who was a late replacement for Marshall last week, has started 11 times in regular season and postseason, plus another four matches in cup play.

Last Game Recap:

Seattle Sounders FC 0, Houston Dynamo 0 - October 29, 2009

Before 35,807 fans, the largest crowd to see an MLS Conference Semifinal match, Sounders FC and the Houston Dynamo battled to a 0-0 draw in the first leg on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

Seattle and Houston had tied for the fewest goals allowed during the MLS regular season. It was the fourth scoreless draw in the last six home games for Sounders FC.

Seattle defender Patrick Ianni, a late replacement in the starting lineup, provided the game's two closest scoring opportunities. Both of Ianni's shots came in the first half.

In the 14th minute, Ianni's header from a corner kick by Freddie Ljungberg was cleared off the goal line by Dynamo midfielder Brian Mullan. Another Ianni header from a Ljungberg free kick in the 43rd minute hit the crossbar.

Seattle finished with a 14-9 edge in shots. Dynamo keeper Pat Onstad made only two saves, including a deflection of Nate Jaqua's header over the bar in the 73rd minute.

It was a physical match with Houston committing 18 fouls to Seattle's 6. The Sounders FC finished with a 9-7 corner kick advantage.

Houston's most dangerous opportunity came from Brad Davis, team leader in assists and shots on goal, in the 58th minute when he forced goalkeeper Kasey Keller to make a diving save at the far post from an 18-yard volley. Keller also lunged to stop a header from Brian Ching. Keller made four saves.

The Dynamo entered the semi-final series as the No. 2 seed. Seattle is 2-0-2 against Houston in four meetings this season, including two during the regular season and another in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup.

Seattle played without defender Tyrone Marshall due to a right knee injury who went to the playoffs with the 1998 Miami expansion team. Marshall was a late scratch. Ianni, a former Dynamo player, replaced him.

Earlier Houston Meeting Recaps

Sounders FC 1, at Houston Dynamo 1 - August 23, 2009 (MLS match)

Nate Jaqua's volley earned the Seattle Sounders FC a valuable point on the road with a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium.

Seattle came from behind for the second time against Houston to win the season series by virtue of a 2-1 victory at home on July 11. The Sounders FC also defeated the MLS Western Conference leaders in the semifinal round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Jaqua scored his seventh goal of the season from 9 yards in the 70th minute. The play began with James Riley serving a long cross from the right wing which Steve Zakuani headed back across the goal to Jaqua.

Four minutes earlier, Zakuani had a chance to equalize just after entering the match. Freddie Ljungberg found Zakuani alone at point-blank range but the rookie winger shot high with an open net.

Jaqua had a goal nullified early in the second half on an offside call.

Geoff Cameron staked the Dynamo to a lead in the 36th minute flicking his header into the left corner from a Brad Davis free kick. It was the eighth assist for Davis.

Ljungberg also figured in a near miss in the game's opening four minutes. He accelerated toward goal and fired low from 15 yards, only to have Houston keeper Pat Onstad deflect the ball with his foot, and then Wade Barrett recovered to clear the goal-bound ball.

The Sounders FC forced two saves from Onstad and finished with advantages of 7-4 (3-2 on goal) in shots and 3-2 on corner kicks.

Ljungberg had missed the previous two games due to symptoms relating to hypoglycemia. Despite 90-dgree temperatures at kickoff he started at forward and played 88 minutes.

Sounders FC 2, Houston Dynamo 1 - July 11, 2009 (MLS match)

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. Fredy Montero also scored for the Sounders FC, which pulled within three points of the league-leading Dynamo with the win.

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. It was later voted as the MLS Goal of the Week.

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 entered the game unbeaten (9-0-2) in 11 games when scoring first. Seattle had been 0-3-4 when allowing the first goal.

Seattle coach Sigi Schmid missed the match to attend his son Kurt's wedding in California. Brian Schmetzer served as head coach.

Seattle Sounders FC 2, Houston Dynamo 1 - July 21, 2009 (U.S. Open Cup)

Stephen King scored the game-winning goal in the fifth minute of overtime to give the Seattle Sounders FC a 2-1 comeback win over the Houston Dynamo in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal match at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila.

Seattle's Nate Jaqua sent the match into overtime with a goal in the 89th minute.

The Sounders FC will visit defending champion D.C. United in the Cup Final on September 2.

King's goal, his third in cup play, came after Steve Zakuani's cross was settled by midfielder Sebastian Le Toux. King's 12-yard shot beat Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall.

Seattle finished with a 26-7 advantage in shots, including a second-half drive off the post by Zakuani, who led the team with five shots.

Jaqua's equalizer was scored after Le Toux's cross was re-directed by substitute Roger Leveque. Jaqua, a former Houston player, finished with a close-range shot which deflected off a defender and into the net.

Houston had opened the scoring in the 32nd minute of the match with an unassisted goal from Ade Akinbiyi. He finished a loose ball in the box that the Seattle defense was unable to clear out.

The Sounders FC played the final 10 minutes of overtime without defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado who was issued his second yellow card. Hurtado will miss the Cup Final.

The match, the second in 10 days between the two sides, was played in front of a sold out crowd of 4,895.

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. Forward Brian Ching 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. Backup goalkeeper Tally Hall is a native of Gig Harbor, Washington. Danny Cruz of the Dynamo was a college teammate of Seattle's Lamar Neagle at UNLV.

MLS Cup Credential Process Opens

Media planning to cover MLS Cup 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle on Sunday, Nov. 22 can now apply for their credentials online by using the following link http://sum.iwebreg.com/apply. Media members who have applied for credentials for recent MLS / SUM events can login using the same email address and password previously used. Otherwise, please set up new user and login information through the online application.

Media credential applications must be received by Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. ET. Credentials from previous MLS matches or other soccer events, including 2009 MLS All-Stadium and Team season credentials, will NOT gain media access to this game.

MLS Cup Tickets on Sale

Tickets for MLS Cup 2009 are now on sale to the public. Major League Soccer's premier event, MLS Cup, will be played November 22 on Seattle's Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Fans can purchase tickets www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. MLS Cup tickets are included in the Seattle Sounders FC 18-game season ticket package.

Throw-Ins

Since the adoption of the two-game, aggregate format for conference semifinals in 2003, only four of the 24 series have been extended to extra time. Three of those were eventually decided by penalties. Two series have involved a single goal scored...The weather forecast for Houston on matchday calls for sunshine and temperatures reaching the mid-70s...Central defender Taylor Graham played in a 60-minute training game last week, his first such action since aggravating a foot injury in early September...Seattle finished 5-2-4 outside the Pacific Zone this season, including the U.S. Open Cup Final played September 2 in Washington, D.C. The Sounders FC was 4-1-1 in the Eastern Time Zone.

Current Training Squad

The following players begin the week training in Seattle: Goalkeepers (4): Terry Boss, Ben Dragavon*, Chris Eylander, Kasey Keller; Defenders (10): Evan Brown, Taylor Graham, Leo Gonzalez, 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 (4): Nate Jaqua, Roger Levesque, Fredy Montero, Steve Zakuani.

*invitee

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from November 2, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central