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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

November 17, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Training Ground Open Again

After a week off, players and coaches returned to the training grounds at the Starfire Sports Complex this week. The schedule includes meetings, optional morning training sessions and fitness sessions. Another round of training sessions is scheduled for the week of November 29-December 3.

Last week the staff dispersed for college scouting. Head Coach Sigi Schmid was in Cary, North Carolina, for the ACC Championships and Technical Director Chris Henderson attended the Big East Championships in Harrison, New Jersey.

Upcoming Key Dates (times are Pacific & subject to change)

Sunday, November 21, 5:30 p.m. - MLS Cup 2010, BMO Field, Toronto

Monday, November 22 - Expansion Draft Protected Lists Submitted

Wednesday, November 24, 11 a.m. - Expansion Draft

Thursday, December 2, 7 a.m. - FIFA Announces hosts for 2018 and 2022 World Cups

Wednesday, December 8 - MLS Re-Entry Draft, Stage 1

Wednesday, December 15 - MLS Re-Entry Draft, Stage 2

Friday, December 17 - Sunday, December 19 - Sounders FC College Combine, Las Vegas

Saturday, January 8 - Tuesday, January 11 - adidas MLS Player Combine, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Thursday, January 13, 9 a.m. - 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Baltimore

Keller Earns Save of the Year

Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller has been awarded the 2010 NAPA Auto Parts Save of the Year in Major League Soccer.

Keller's stop in second-half stoppage time preserved Seattle's 1-0 home victory over the Kansas City Wizards on April 17. Moments after Mike Fucito scored to put Sounders FC ahead, a close-range drive by the Wizards' Chance Myers was deflected by Keller wide of the left post to preserve the shutout.

In all, Keller won MLS Save of the Week five times during the season. He finished tied for second with 11 shutouts.

Fredy Montero's long-range free kick at FC Dallas on April 22 was fifth runner-up for MLS Goal of the Year.

Nate Jaqua, Jeff Parke, Terry Boss Undergo Surgery

Forward Nate Jaqua, central defender Jeff Parke and goalkeeper Terry Boss underwent surgery during the past week.

Jaqua underwent a hip arthroscopy procedure in Vail, Colo., on Friday. He is expected to re-join training with the team in 12-16 weeks.

An eight-year MLS veteran, Jaqua is an original member of Sounders FC. After missing the first 14 games this season due to a lower abdominal injury, Jaqua, 29, returned in late June and totaled six goals and six assists in all competitions. He was named the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup player of the tournament after scoring five goals in four matches and also had three assists in 15 league appearances.

Parke had bone spurs removed from his big toe joint on Monday. Parke, 28, made an impressive return to MLS this year, signing with Seattle on May 13 and starting the final 20 regular season matches. He sustained a high ankle sprain in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinal with Los Angeles and missed the second leg.

Boss, 29, had toe reconstructive surgery. He made his MLS debut this season and started four Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League matches.

Both Parke and Boss are expected to join the team for 2011 preseason training in late January.

Midfielder Steve Zakuani Called In by Congo DR

The Democratic Republic of Congo National Team has called in Sounders FC midfielder Steve Zakuani for a friendly versus Mali on Wednesday night near Paris.

This is the first international call in for Zakuani, 22. He scored 10 goals during the MLS regular season, and added one goal in the playoffs.

Zakuani was born in the Congo DR capital of Kinshasa. Since being drafted out of Akron by Sounders FC with the top overall selection of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft he has totaled 14 goals and 10 assists in 58 league appearances.

Also named to the 23-man national team squad was Steve's older brother, Gabriel, a defender for Peterborough United of England's League One.

Estrada Wins FIFA Soccer 11 Tournament

Rookie midfielder David Estrada won the Sounders FC FIFA Soccer 11 tournament on Tuesday night before a packed house at the Market Arms pub in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. With the victory in the EA Sports Pro Player Challenge, Estrada now moves on to meet the champions of other MLS teams in Los Angeles.

The winner of the MLS tournament wins $10,000 for charity, courtesy of EA Sports, and will have the opportunity to compete against other league champions from around the world.

Amidst enthusiastic cheers, chants and rhythmic clapping from the surrounding supporters, Estrada defeated Fredy Montero, Alvaro Fernandez and Leo Gonzalez in succession to claim the title.

Over 100 pounds of nonperishable food and nearly $300 in cash donations were collected for Northwest Harvest.

Give Us Your Full 90 Again in 2011!

Sounders FC are currently accepting deposits for 2011 season tickets. To join, please visit SoundersFC.com or call 877-MLS-GOAL. Seattle's schedule will include matches with MLS newcomers Portland and Vancouver, plus an international friendly against a soon-to-be-announced opponent. Sounders FC had 32,000 season ticket holders in 2010.

MLS Cup Playoff Bracket

Western Conference Semifinals

Real Salt Lake 1 at FC Dallas 2, October 30

FC Dallas 1 at Real Salt Lake 1, November 6

FC Dallas advanced 3-2 on aggregate

Los Angeles Galaxy 1 at Seattle Sounders FC 0, October 31

Seattle Sounders FC 1 at Los Angeles Galaxy 2, November 7

Los Angeles advanced 3-1 on aggregate

Western Conference Final

FC Dallas 3 at Los Angeles Galaxy 0, November 14

Eastern Conference Semifinals

Columbus Crew 0 at Colorado Rapids 1, October 28

Colorado Rapids 1 at Columbus Crew 2, November 6

Colorado advanced on penalties, 5-4, after finishing 2-2 on aggregate

New York Red Bulls 1 at San Jose Earthquakes 0, October 30

San Jose Earthquakes 3 at New York Red Bulls 1, November 4

San Jose advanced 3-2 on aggregate

Eastern Conference Final

San Jose Earthquakes 0 at Colorado Rapids 1, November 13

MLS Cup 2010

FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids, BMO Field, Toronto, Sunday, November 21, 5:30 p.m. PT

Academy: Sounders FC Hosts Crossfire on Sunday

The Sounders FC Academy teams, atop the Northwest Division of both the U16 and U18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy, host second-place and Redmond-based Crossfire Premier in a doubleheader at the Starfire Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The U18 teams meet at 12 noon, followed by the U16s at 2:30 p.m.

Last week the Seattle U18s, now winners of three in a row and 5-0-3 overall, swept their road trip to northern California and the U16s (6-1-1) came home with a win and a draw.

Against the DeAnza Force, the Sounders FC U18s went down a goal in the 19th minute, only to draw even a minute later on a cross from Darwin Jones to Jamael Cox. Sean Okoli converted from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, giving the visitors their first lead and Cox assisted Dominique Dismuke for an insurance goal, making it 3-1 in the 89th.

Seattle won by an identical score line the next day against the Santa Cruz Breakers and again came from behind. After allowing an early goal to the Breakers, Dismuke equalized in the 20th minute, and keeper Ryan Herman made a big save early in the second half to keep things level. The decisive goals came in the final minutes. In the 85th Okoli set-up Cox for the go-ahead score and Troy Peterson headed in a corner from Chase Hanson a minute from full time.

Okoli has been invited to the U.S. U18 National Team training camp in Carson, Calif, from November 20-28.

The Sounders FC U16 started the weekend with a hard fought 1-1 draw at DeAnza. Two minutes in, Jordan Thompson assisted on Ike Crook's third goal in as many matches. DeAnza earned the point with a penalty in the 80th minute.

Seattle extended its unbeaten streak to four games with a 2-1 win at Santa Cruz. Austin Sweeney scored the first goal and found Ian Lange for the winner in the 60th minute.

Sunday's matches will be the last at home until February. The Academy teams head to Phoenix and the Winter Showcase on December 4, 6 and 7. The first four matches in 2011 will be on the road.

World Cup 2022: Join the Bid

There is still time to join Seattle's bid to host FIFA World Cup games in 2022. The Emerald City has been identified as an official host city by the USA Bid Committee and will be included in the formal bid book presented to FIFA on December 1 in Zurich. On the following day, December 2, FIFA will announce the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Over 1.1 million people have signed up online to support the U.S. bid (www.gousabid.com), including more than 46,000 backing Seattle as a site to host matches.

The other 17 cities selected by the USA Bid Committee are, in alphabetical order: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

Sounders FC Roster

The following players are currently training with Sounders FC: Goalkeepers (3): Terry Boss, Jordan Jennings*, Kasey Keller; Defenders (10): Taylor Graham, Leo Gonzalez, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Tyrone Marshall, Jeff Parke, James Riley, Zach Scott, Tyson Wahl, Jamel Wallace*. Midfielders (8): Osvaldo Alonso, David Estrada, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez, Sanna Nyassi, Michael Seamon, Nathan Sturgis, Peter Vagenas; Forwards (9): Mike Fucito, Blaise Nkufo, Nate Jaqua, Roger Levesque, Miguel Montaño, Fredy Montero, Pat Noonan, Ty Perdido*, Steve Zakuani.

*invitee

Throw-ins

Zach Scott and Tyrone Marshall will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for photos on Saturday, November 20, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the Microsoft Store opening at Bellevue Square...Friday, November 19, is the 16th anniversary of Seattle native Marcus Hahnemann making his debut for the U.S. National Team against Trinidad & Tobago in 1994. Hahnemann started and forward Jason Dunn, his then-teammate with the A-League Sounders, debuted by coming off the bench...Leo Gonzalez celebrates his 30th birthday on Sunday, November 21... November 24 is the 19th anniversary of Seattle's Michelle Akers scoring a record-tying five goals for the U.S. in a win over Chinese Taipei at the first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991.

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Major League Soccer Stories from November 17, 2010


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