MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on April 18, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


On Unbeaten Run, Seattle Travels to Colorado

Undefeated in its last four matches and yet still seeking to hit its stride, Seattle Sounders FC takes a trip for the second week in a row with a rare Friday night bout against the holders of the MLS Cup, the Colorado Rapids. First kick is 6:30 p.m. PT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., and the game will be televised live on Fox Soccer.

Sounders FC (1-2-3) is coming off a dramatic draw, 1-1 away to Philadelphia Union. Colorado (3-2-0) idle since April 13, is trying to halt a two-game losing skid. Since firing four past DC on April 3 the injury-plagued Rapids have been held scoreless in losses at FC Dallas (3-0) and Real Salt Lake (1-0).

Seattle is in the midst of playing four of five matches on the road, including three in the Eastern Time Zone. It hosts Toronto FC on April 30 before going to D.C. United on May 4 and Columbus on May 7.

While the Rave Green leads the series 2-1-1 they have not won in Colorado in two previous trips, earning a 2-2 draw in 2009 and losing 1-nil last season. The Rapids have outscored visitors at DGS Park 7-2 in 2011 and they are 18-4-10 in regular season home matches since the start of 2009.

Sigi Schmid can choose from his full compliment of players this week. Fredy Montero made a triumphant return at Philadelphia following a two-game absence. Montero came off the bench to set-up the stoppage time equalizer by fellow substitute Alvaro Fernandez.

Arlo White calls the match on 97.3 KIRO FM. The game is also being broadcast on La Gran D 99.3 FM.

Sounders FC and Toronto FC meet at 7 p.m. PT on April 30. For tickets go to www.SoundersFC.com or call 877-MLS-GOAL.

Power of the People

Sounders FC players are giving the people what they want if last week's online voting for MLS awards was any indication. O'Brian White's winning header versus Chicago was a landslide winner for Goal of the Week, capturing 68 percent of the vote. Similarly, Kasey Keller's stop of the Fire's Diego Chaves won the Seattle skipper a second straight MLS Save of the Week by a 62 percent vote. It was Keller's second award in as many weeks.

Another Week, Another Hero

Successful teams are stocked with numerous quality players and Seattle has called upon several of them during this four-game unbeaten run. The six goals scored during those four matches have come from four different players with two others figuring in the assists. Six games into the season Sigi Schmid has used 16 different players as starters and 22 altogether in dealing with injuries and exploring the most productive combinations. Last week, for the first time in 2011, Schmid used the same starting XI as the previous match.

Flaco to the Rescue

Literally rising to the occasion against Philadelphia was a player very much in the fight for more playing time and, ultimately, a starting assignment. Alvaro Fernandez, who has played only 57 minutes in the last four games, entered the match in the 77th minute and headed home the tying goal in the first minute of stoppage time against the Union. A volley by Flaco in the 78th minute had been cleared off the line by a Philly defender.

Déjà Vu All Over Again

Fernandez is fast becoming associated with big goals and big results on the road. His dramatics in the Philadelphia downpour was a performance and a setting reminiscent of some Fernandez heroics from last summer. In the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions League preliminary series, he proved to be the difference. As a second-half substitute against Metapán with Sounders FC trailing 1-0 in a rainstorm, Fernandez headed in the tying goal in the match and the winner on aggregate.

Flaco's goal against the Union was his third since joining Seattle midway through 2010, and all of the scores have come late. In the 78th minute he got what proved to be the winner in the playoff-clinching victory at Kansas City, and his first goal, an insurance tally versus Houston, came two minutes from full time.

Impressive Strike Rate

Fernandez owns a strike rate that is remarkable. Although club career scoring king Fredy Montero scores at a significantly more goals per game (22 in 60, or a rate of 0.367), Fernandez is Montero's statistical equal in goals per 90 minutes (0.407) and, of those current Sounders FC players with three or more goals for the club, he own the best percentage of goals per shot attempted (0.300).

Still, He'd Rather Start

Montero is intent upon reclaiming his starting role up front, but he demonstrated he can make an impact on a game as a reserve as well. Montero has started all but three of his 60 MLS appearances, however in two of those games he has either scored or assisted on a late goal to win (at New York, 2010) or tie (last week, at Philadelphia) the score. In addition, in his first Champions League match, he came off the bench at home against Metapán and scored the game-winner from long distance less than a minute later. Despite missing two games Montero remains the MLS leader in shots on goal (9) and tied for fourth in total shots (16). The assist last week was his first of the season and the 18th of his career.

Not the Latest

The Fernandez goal at Philadelphia was the fifth to come in the 90th minute or beyond. Mike Fucito scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to beat Kansas City last season. An own goal and a Montero strike came in the 90th and 91st minutes, respectively, in a 2010 home loss to D.C. United, and Montero struck again for a winner in the second minute of stoppage time at home against Chicago.

Forwards vs. Rapids

Four of the Sounders FC primary attackers have found joy in previous encounters with Colorado. Nate Jaqua has scored a total of four goals and two assists in 14 career meetings against the Rapids, including three goals and an assist for Seattle in 2009. Fredy Montero has two goals and four assists in four games versus Colorado, and Steve Zakuani scored both goals in last season's home win. While with Toronto FC, O'Brian White scored against Colorado in 2009. Seattle's average of 1.75 goals per game versus the Rapids is second only to its 2.00 against D.C. United.

In the final stages of the Philadelphia match, Sigi Schmid inserted extra attackers in pressing for the eventual equalizer. Jaqua, Montero joined Zakuani and Mauro Rosales to form a robust frontline. Rosales assisted on two goals in his first two starts for Seattle and earned the late corner that led to the game-tying goal at Philadelphia.

Of Men and Minutes

Mauro Rosales made his third start in a row and went the full 90 for the first time. Leo Gonzalez came off as Seattle went with an extra attacker for the final 13 minutes. Gonzalez had played every minute in the first five matches. Rookie midfielder Servando Carrasco was unavailable for the Union match, having been suspended by MLS for a foul against Chicago's Patrick Nyarko. Carrasco had dressed for each of the first five matches, playing in two and starting once. Kasey Keller, Osvaldo Alonso and Jeff Parke have each played all 540 minutes this season.

Numbers of Note

In the last three outings the offense has taken 11 shots on goal, scoring five times. In the previous three matches there were 19 shots on goal but only one score.

Although Sounders FC has allowed more than one goal only once this season, it is one of six clubs yet to post a shutout.

The five fouls committed by Osvaldo Alonso last week tied the club's all-time high, set on three other occasions, and the team's 17 total fouls rank No. 2. The combined four corner kicks taken by Seattle and the Union tie for the fewest in a match with the L.A. road game in 2009. Sounders FC scored goals off corners in both matches.

Of the six opponents played to date, Seattle has faced four sides-L.A., Philadelphia, New York and Houston-that are currently either first or second in their respective division. Combined, those teams have a record of 10-4-8.

Kasey Keller started his 61st consecutive MLS regular season match at Philadelphia. He has started 69 of Seattle's 70 MLS regular season and playoff matches.

Manchester United, Seattle's Summer Guest, Advances in UEFA Champions League

Manchester United, which will face Sounders FC in a mid-summer friendly, advanced to the semifinal stage of the UEFA Champions League last week. Man United defeated Chelsea, 2-1, to finish ahead 3-1 on aggregate. The Red Devils, who also lead the English Premier League by six points, meet Germany's Schalke 04 in the next round, beginning April 26.

Sounders FC and Manchester United will play on July 20 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. The presenting partners for the friendly match are AT&T and Samsung Mobile.

Fans can guarantee seats for Manchester United by purchasing a three match ticket package for $99 prior to the public on-sale of individual tickets on June 1. In anticipation of the high demand for tickets, seating at Qwest Field will be expanded to include the upper bowl for the three featured Premier Pack matches. The Man United match is part of the Sounders FC full 18-match season ticket package.

The three-match ticket package includes home matches versus Manchester United, the New York Red Bulls on June 23, and the regular season finale versus the San Jose Earthquakes on October 15. The October 15 match will be Kasey Keller's final regular season home match.

The three match ticket packages are available by phone at 1-877-MLS-GOAL or online at www.SoundersFC.com. Single match tickets exclusively for the Manchester United will go on-sale Wednesday, June 1.

Reserves Review

The Sounders FC reserves played a training game against the University of Washington last Saturday, winning 2-1. Taylor Graham scored from a Miguel Montaño corner kick and guest player Daniel Gray converted a cross from Lamar Neagle. The first MLS Reserve League home match will be on May 9 against Chivas USA at Starfire Stadium.

Note: Time Change for June 11

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field first kick on June 11 has been changed to 7:30 p.m. PT. The match will be nationally televised by Fox Soccer.

Match Recap: Sounders FC 1 at Philadelphia Union 1 - April 16, PPL Park

Alvaro Fernandez's stoppage time goal earned a road draw in a match played in the wind and rain. Fernandez's equalizer came off a Mauro Rosales corner in the first minute of stoppage time.

Rosales found Fredy Montero who made a quick exchange of passes with Steve Zakuani on the left side of the box. Zakuani fed the ball back to Montero and he chipped the ball onto the head of Fernandez, who headed off the right goal-post and into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

It marked the return of Montero following a two-game absence for surgery to repair a broken right wrist. Zakuani was credited with an assist on the play.

The Union scored the game's first goal in the 32nd minute. Carlos Ruiz took a free kick at the top of the box and curled it over a wall of Sounders FC defenders, bending it inside the far post off of Kasey Keller's outstretched hand, giving Philadelphia the 1-0 lead.

Seattle was relentless in pressing for the equalizer in the final 25 minutes. Sigi Schmid opted to bring on an extra attacker when he brought on Nate Jaqua and Montero for O'Brian White and defender Leo Gonzalez in the 66th minute. Just three minutes after entering the match, Montero's free kick was headed across the goalmouth by Jaqua toward Brad Evans, but was cleared by Philadelphia's Keon Daniel.

Seattle's best opportunity came seconds following Fernandez coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute. Montero drilled a low ball at Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon. The ball caromed out in front for a Fernandez volley. The shot hit Philadelphia's Danny Califf in the chest and the Union was able to knock the shot clear.

Former Sounders FC forward Sebastian Le Toux had a chance for the Union in the 51st minute as he got on a break off a ball from Ruiz, but Le Toux's shot skidded into the hands of Keller for the save.

Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso and Philadelphia midfielder's Okugo and Stefani Miglioranzi, along with defender Carlos Valdez were issued yellow cards in the match.

Among the Leaders

Sounders FC leads the league in shots (85) and shots on goal (30). The club is second in corner kicks (32), fouls committed (87) and offside (16) and is tied third with seven assists. Fredy Montero, who has missed two games, is fourth in shots (16) and teammate O'Brian White is tied ninth (14). Montero (9) and White (7) are also tied first and fifth in shots on goal, respectively. Mauro Rosales is tied fifth in fouls suffered (13). Leo Gonzalez tied second with 13 fouls committed and tied third with three yellow cards. Erik Friberg is tied eighth in MLS with 15 corner kicks.

Series Notes

Seattle is 2-1-1 against Colorado but is yet to win at DSG Park. Last season, Sounders FC lost 1-0 at Colorado (May 29) behind a Conor Casey goal and won 2-1 in the return match (July 25) with a brace from Steve Zakuani. The Rave Green have outscored the Rapids 7-4. Nate Jaqua is the goals leader with three strikes and Fredy Montero leads both teams with four assists.

About Colorado

The Rapids sit third in the Western Conference and fourth in the race for the Supporters' Shield with nine points through their first five games. After winning its first three games of the season, Colorado has dropped its last two, both on the road. The team was shut-out in both losses but was without the services of key players such as Conor Casey and Pablo Mastroeni. The Rapids are 2-0-0 at home this season and have outscored visitors (Portland and D.C. United) 7-2.

Rapids Notables

Colorado's frontline will likely feature speedster Omar Cummings along with English newcomer Caleb Folan. Cummings has two goals in his three starts with Folan netting two goals in four starts. Conor Casey has yet to open his account in 2011 and has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Captain Pablo Mastroeni has also missed the last two games with a calf/Achilles injury. Quincy Amarikwa, who scored the winner at Chivas USA in week three, suffered a high ankle sprain last Wednesday and Mac Kandji remains out after offseason ACL surgery. Despite the injuries, a handful of Rapids have started all five matches, including defenders Kosuke Kimura and Marvell Wynne and midfielders Jeff Larentowicz and Jamie Smith. Goalkeeper Matt Pickens has allowed six goals (1.20 GAA), making seven saves.

The Colorado Connection

Tyrone Marshall has played in the last two matches for Colorado, including a start at Real Salt Lake. Sanna Nyassi has appeared in four of five matches, starting one with one assist. Both Nyassi and Marshall played key roles for Seattle in its first two seasons. Nyassi was chosen by Vancouver in the expansion draft then dealt to the Rapids. Marshall was obtained in the re-entry draft last December. Danny Earls, who spent the preseason with Sounders FC before being released, has rejoined the Rapids. Earls was acquired by Seattle from Colorado in a trade prior to the expansion draft last November.

Seattle right back James Riley is from Colorado Springs and was a two-time All-American at Harrison High School. Riley played club soccer for the Colorado Rush and USL PDL's Colorado Springs Blizzard.

Throw-ins

Seattle's four-game unbeaten streak equals the longest current run in MLS...Brad Evans turns 26 on Wednesday, April 20...Steve Zakuani was credited with an assist on Alvaro Fernandez's winner at Philadelphia...This marks only the third Friday match for Seattle. It beat Chivas USA, 2-1 at home, in 2010 and tied Houston, 1-1 at home, earlier this season...Saturday marks the 35th anniversary of the first kick of the Tacoma Tides. The American Soccer League franchise played just one season, beginning on April 23, 1976, when the Tides won at Sacramento, 1-0, on a Roy Sinclair goal.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from April 18, 2011


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