MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on June 14, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Sounders FC to Hit Halfway Milepost in Toronto on Saturday

Facing Canadian opposition for the second match in a row, Seattle Sounders FC returns to the scene of their first road victory when they meet Toronto FC on Saturday night. First kick is 4 p.m. ET at BMO Field and the game will be televised on KONG 6/16 and ROOT Sports.

This marks the halfway point in the MLS regular season for Seattle (5-4-7, 22 points), who are unbeaten in their last three. They have taken four points from the last two away matches.

The Rave Green are going for their second series win of 2011, having scored the biggest margin of victory, a 3-nil result, in the last encounter with Toronto at home on April 30. The Reds (2-5-8, 14 points) are searching for their first win in more than a month, having gone 0-2-4 in the last six. However they are coming off a 2-2 draw at Los Angeles, the Western Conference leader, with Alan Gordon getting the stoppage time equalizer.

Sounders FC was also held to a single point last week. A dramatic ending saw Seattle surge from a goal down to take a late lead against Vancouver, only for Whitecaps FC to equalize a minute later.

That left the Rave Green tied for third in a very competitive West and their sum of 22 points would be sufficient for a tie for first in the East, where Toronto sits seventh. Seattle's away record is 2-2-4, nearly identical to the Reds' home mark of 2-2-5.

Sounders FC's record of success on the road began with their very first excursion on April 4, 2009. They won 2-0 at Toronto and have gone 13-13-12 away altogether.

Two home dates await Seattle's return next week. They host the East co-leader New York Red Bulls on June 23 before a national TV audience on ESPN2, then the New England Revolution come to town on June 26.

Arlo White will call Saturday's match on television and on 97.3 KIRO FM. The action can also be heard on La Gran D 99.3 FM and THIS-TV will broadcast the match in Spanish.

For tickets to all Sounders FC home matches go to www.SoundersFC.com or call 877-MLS-GOAL.

Upcoming Competition Schedule (All times Pacific)

Saturday, June 18, 4 p.m. - at Toronto FC, BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.

Thursday, June 23, 7 p.m. - New York Red Bulls, Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field, Seattle

Sunday, June 26, 1 p.m. - New England Revolution, Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field, Seattle

Monday, July 4, 7:30 p.m. - at L.A. Galaxy, Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

Sunday, July 10, 1 p.m. - at Portland Timbers, JELD-WEN Field, Portland, Ore.

Using the Full 90

Following Saturday's scoring crescendo, a full one-third of all Seattle goals have now been scored in the final 15 minutes this season. Five of those six goals have come at home where Sounders FC have notched either the equalizing or game-winning goal in the 80th minute or later three times. Against Vancouver, Mauro Rosales pulled the Rave Green even in the 81st minute and Osvaldo Alonso pushed them in front three minutes later.

Highlight Film Fodder

Not only is there no shortage of drama but there have been some sensational plays made during Seattle's first 16 games of 2011. Last week Kasey Keller's denial of Daniel Paladini in Chicago was voted MLS Save of the Week, giving the Sounders FC keeper his third such award so far.

Some of the shots that have gotten past Keller have been of supreme quality. Two opponents-New York's Juan Agudelo and San Jose's Khari Stephenson-have won Goal of the Week and another three have been nominated for the award. For Seattle, O'Brian White and Lamar Neagle have each claimed the GOW prize this season. Eric Hassli's late goal for Vancouver is among the current nominees for MLS Goal of the Week.

Ozzie Dials Long Distance

He has been teasing fans and terrorizing keepers with his long-distance drives ever since he opened his MLS scoring account in 2009, but last week Osvaldo Alonso found the corner.Alonso latched on to a loose ball outside the Whitecaps box, avoided a tackle and drilled a shot from outside the box to beat Joe Cannon and put Seattle in front. Alonso's first MLS goal came two years ago this week, on June 17, 2009. He sent a blistering 30-yard shot into the north net against D.C. United. Alonso started his 29th straight game since July 25, 2010.

Rosales Delivers the Verve

For sure, Sounders FC have had more than their share of unforeseen losses this season. Yet one addition that has paid irrefutable dividends is the early-season signing of Mauro Rosales. The veteran Argentine playmaker has proven a boost on both the pitch and in the locker room, and many judged his performance versus Vancouver to be one of his best to date in Rave Green.

Rosales brought verve to the attack whether coming from the center or down the channels, and served four of the team's corner kick. Two minutes before coming off in the 81st minute, he delivered the first goal for both Sounders FC and himself in America. Earlier this season he had contributed three assists.

At the Halfway Point in 2010, 2009

Seattle will reach the halfway point in the expanded 34-match schedule this week in much better shape than a year ago. In 2010 Sounders FC was 4-8-3 and seventh in the West at midseason, but then surged in the second half, going 10-2-3 in the final 15 games.

In 2009 Seattle was third in the conference (5-3-7, 22 points). Sounders FC are six points ahead of last year's 16-match pace, when the record was 4-8-4, and three points behind the 2009 start of 6-3-7.

Sounders FC will play more home (9) than away (8) matches during the second half. Four of those road games are to West Coast destinations, including busing to both Portland and Vancouver.

First of Perhaps Several Matches Abroad

This week brings the first of perhaps several international destinations for Sounders FC in 2011. Seattle returns to Canada on September 24 to face Vancouver, but there is also CONCACAF Champions League play beginning next month, with a trip to Panama to play San Francisco FC in the preliminary round.

Should the Rave Green advance to the group stage they would play three group games at defending champion CF Monterrey (Mexico), CD Comunicaciones (Guatemala City) and either CS Herediano (Heredia, Costa Rica) or Alpha United (Georgetown, Guyana). The latter two clubs also meet in the preliminary round beginning in late July.

Eastern Travels

The flight to Toronto is the fifth to Eastern Time Zone during the first half of the year. Sounders FC are 6-7-3 in that sector, including a record of 0-2-2 this season. The final ET trip comes October 1 at New England. Seattle will travel the third-most in MLS this season, an estimated 50,582 miles. Vancouver (52,656) and New England (52,010) rank 1-2.

Where the Road Began

Seattle has pulled off some surprises in its first two-plus seasons, including some startling results on the road. And the first of those came on April 4, 2009, on a cold, wet afternoon near the shores of Lake Ontario. Freddie Ljungberg and Steve Zakuani struck in the first half and the Rave Green was on its way to a win in their first road game.

Since then Seattle has gone on to win the 2009 U.S. Open Cup final at D.C United, break the Columbus Crews' record 22-game home unbeaten streak in 2009, and, last month, snap Real Salt Lake's MLS record 29-match home unbeaten skein.

Sounders FC have two road wins already. In 2009 they didn't win again on the road until Match 21 at L.A., and in 2010 the second away result came in Match 17 at D.C. United.

Pressing On

Whether it's been injuries, retirement or other unexpected happenings, Sounders FC players and staff have stayed the course and remained among the MLS upper echelon through the first half of 2011.

Despite the loss of key personnel Seattle has lost only twice since March. The key elements have been consistent defense (ranking 6th at 0.94 goals per game), an untiring competitive spirit (six goals coming in final 15 minutes) and quality depth (21 players have started; 23 have seen action; 10 have scored).

While there is room for improvement on finishing, there has been no shortage of opportunities. Seattle leads MLS in total shots and corner kicks and is second in shots on goal. Even in three of the four losses they finished with an advantage in shots.

Zakuani, White Back at Training

Steve Zakuani made his first appearance at team training last week since suffering a fractured right leg on April 22 at Colorado. Zakuani is walking again and undergoing regular physical therapy as he continues his rehabilitation. Returning to training on a limited basis has been forward O'Brian White, whose last appearance was also April 22. White underwent surgery the following week to remove a blood clot from his leg. Zakuani and White were the team's co-leaders in scoring before their injuries.

Reserve Games Boost Stock

Quality depth is dependent upon not only talented players but keeping those individuals sharp. Competition for playing time makes training sessions spirited and the MLS Reserve League has allowed for live auditions.

Among those players who have used the Reserve League to boost their stock are defender Tyson Wahl, midfielder Lamar Neagle, and forwards Mike Fucito and Nate Jaqua. Each earned a starting role after first starting a reserve match. Last week, Miguel Montano and Pat Noonan earned inclusion in the match day 18-man roster through their Reserve League efforts; Montano saw his first regular season action since March 15 against Vancouver and Noonan, who finished 2010 on the DL, made the bench for the first time since last July.

Seattle Stays Perfect in Reserve League Play

Sounders FC collected two more victories in MLS Reserve League play after beating both Vancouver and L.A. at home. Seattle (6-0-0) has now strung together three consecutive shutouts after blanking both Whitecaps FC, 2-nil, and the Galaxy, 1-0. Ten different players have now scored for the Reserves, who are coached by Ezra Hendrickson. The next match is July 5 at L.A.

Academy Update: Sounders FC U16s Sweep on Road, U18s Split to Clinch Playoff Spots

Back at home on Saturday the Sounders FC Academy teams will conclude the regular season after clinching U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoff positions on the road. Seattle hosts the California Development Academy on Saturday with the U18s playing at 12 noon and the U16s at 2:30 p.m. PT at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.

A victory this weekend would clinch first place for the U18s (15-5-4) while the U16s (17-3-4) won the Northwest Division by sweeping road matches at Cal Odyssey (4-1) and San Jose Earthquakes (3-2). Ike Crook and Jesse Klug continued their scoring tears in California. Klug scored a brace in the first game and added another at San Jose. Crook bagged his team-high 11th at Cal. Austin Sweeney and Michael Gallagher also scored on the trip.

Shorthanded due to several high school graduation ceremonies back home, the U18s fell to Cal Odyssey (3-2) before rebounding to edge San Jose (1-0) and claim at least a wild card spot on Jamael Cox's first-half strike. Andrew Glaeser made several big saves to preserve the shutout. Darwin Jones and Yordan Rivera scored versus the Odyssey.

Postseason play begins June 23 with group play in Dallas. Eight teams will advance to the finals next month in Milwaukee.

Summer Block Party Set for June 23 Match

Sounders FC will host the inaugural Summer Block Party to be held in the North Lot of Qwest Field prior to the June 23 home match versus New York Red Bulls. Access to the Summer Block Party begins at 5 p.m. and is open to all fans, including non-ticket holders. There is no charge to enter.

For the first time in MLS play, Sounders FC will open upper level seating beyond normal capacity. Tickets are available for $15.

The Summer Block Party will include the following activities:

- Fans may enjoy the Bud Light Beer Garden where they can pose for pictures with the 2009 and 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophies. Fans must be at least 21 years-old to access.

- Eight tons of sand will provide the playing surface for pick-up games of beach soccer.

- Levy Restaurants will provide free Hawaiian pulled pork sliders topped with pineapple BBQ sauce to the first 1,000 fans and staff additional food and beverage portables.

- Complimentary samples from Johnsonville Sausage - The NEW Chipotle Monterey Jack Smoked Chicken Sausage

- Music by the Caribbean Vision Steel Drum Band, plus face painters, a dunk tank, inflatable jousting tower and a sign making stand,

Kickoff for the Sounders FC versus New York Red Bulls is 7 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.Sounders FC tickets are available by phone at 1-877-MLS-GOAL or online at www.SoundersFC.com.

Date Change: Sounders FC to Host Philadelphia on October 8

The date for the home match versus the Philadelphia Union has been moved to Saturday, October 8. The game will start at 7:00 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

At the request of Major League Soccer the match was moved from its original July 23 date to accommodate the Union's involvement in the Herbalife World Football Challenge. All tickets issue for the original date will be honored on October 8.

Note: Time Change at Portland

First kick for Seattle's game at Portland on July 10 has been moved up to 1 p.m. PT at JELD-WEN Field. The Sounders FC-Timbers match will be televised by ESPN2.

Fan Ballot Launched for AT&T MLS All-Star Game

Major League Soccer has launched fan voting for the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star game at www.MLSsoccer.com and via text messaging.

A panel of media members nominated a total of 108 players - the top six per team - to the fan ballot. Fans can also vote by sending a player's last name via text message to 22442. An innovative Twitter vote will occur June 17-20 (details below).

Seattle Sounders FC nominees are: Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Kasey Keller and Fredy Montero.

The players with the highest combined votes from these three voting methods will become the first 11 All-Stars - known as the All-Star First XI. The player who receives the most text votes by 8:59 p.m. PT on July 5 will automatically earn a spot among the All-Star First XI.

All-Star Head Coach Hans Backe of the New York Red Bulls will choose the gameday roster and the starting lineup against Manchester United on July 27. The first marquee MLS event ever to be held at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., will be broadcast live on ESPN2, Galavision, and TSN at 5:30 p.m. PT.

A total of 32 All-Stars are named each year, per the collective bargaining agreement. Media, fans, players, the All-Star coach and MLS Commissioner Don Garber all contribute in the All-Star selection process.

The 32 players named 2011 AT&T MLS All-Stars will be selected in four phases:

A select media panel determined the field of players - six players per team - who are most deserving of consideration for this year's All-Star Game. Those 108 players are eligible for fan voting.

Through July 5 at 8:59 p.m. PT, fans will select the "First XI" All-Stars. Fans can vote via any of three digital platforms:

- At MLSsoccer.com: Vote for your starting lineup of 11 players, beginning June 8.

- Via text message (SMS): Text an MLS player's last name to 22442. Each vote will count equally with those submitted online in determining the First XI. The player who receives the most text votes will automatically earn a spot among the First XI.

- Twitter: One vote per tweet between June 17-20. A vote will only be valid if the following conditions are met within one Tweet: An MLS player's Twitter handle (i.e. @juanagudelo17), OR an MLS player's full name with no space between first and last (i.e. landondonovan) appears in the Tweet. The Tweet contains @MLS AND #MLSAllStar

The First XI will be announced on Sunday, July 10, likely on ESPN during halftime of the Portland-Seattle game that begins at 1 p.m. PT.

The MLS All-Star head coach will select the gameday roster. Players named to the First XI are eligible for selection to the gameday roster by the coach. MLS Commissioner Don Garber will select two All-Stars; the coach will decide if those two are selected for the gameday roster.

The coach and Commissioner selections will be announced on Monday, July 18.

Once the final gameday roster has been announced, voting by MLS players will determine the remainder of the 32 All-Stars named annually per the CBA (known as the "inactive roster").

The final list of 32 All-Stars (4 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 13 midfielders and 7 forwards) will be announced on MLSsoccer.com on July 25.

Recap: Sounders FC 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 - June 11, Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field

Second-half goals from Mauro Rosales and Osvaldo Alonso were not enough to overcome late game heroics and a first-half penalty kick from Eric Hassli as Sounders FC earned a 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the initial meeting between the two MLS clubs in a match played in front of 36,502 fans and a national television audience.

Sounders FC (5-4-7) moved to 3-2-3 at home while Whitecaps FC (1-6-8) remains winless in their last 14 games.

Hassli's acrobatic equalizer came in the 85th minute-a minute after Seattle had taken a 2-1 advantage-when he placed a twisting half-volley from the right side of the box just inside the far post.

Hassli's successful penalty kick came in the 29th minute, chipping down the middle as Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller dived to his left.

Hassli's two goals were his fifth and sixth of the season, surpassing Camilo (4) for the club lead.

After 80 minutes of play that saw several chances for Sounders FC, they were able to capitalize on opportunities in the final 10 minutes.

Sounders FC pulled ahead in the 84th minute when Alonso collected a steal at the top of the box. Alonso played the ball to his left foot and fired a low 22-yard shot past Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

Just three minutes prior, in the 81st minute, Sounders FC pulled to 1-1 when Tyson Wahl sent a ball into the box for Nate Jaqua, who was marked by two Whitecaps FC defenders. The ball deflected off the head of a Vancouver defender to Rosales at the front of the goal, and he pounded it into the back of the net for his first goal in MLS play.

Sounders FC held the slight advantage in shots, 13-11, with each putting four shots on goal. Seattle held the advantage in corner kicks, 5-1.

Among the Leaders

Sounders FC ranks in the top five of nearly every offensive statistical category, including shots (219; 1st), shots on goal (72; 2nd), goals (18; T-5th), assists (20; T-3rd) and corner kicks (88; T-1st). The Rave Green also leads the league in fouls committed (216).

Brad Evans is tied ninth in MLS with four goals and Fredy Montero is tied sixth with four assists. Montero leads the league in shots (48) and shots on goal (18). Osvaldo Alonso is fifth in fouls committed (25) and, along with Kasey Keller, is one of four players to have played 1440 minutes or more this season. Keller is second with 48 saves and sixth with a 0.94 goals against average.

Series Notes

Sounders FC is 3-1-1 all-time against Toronto FC, outscoring the Reds 8-4. The lone Seattle loss came in its last visit to BMO Field, a 2-0 defeat on April 25, 2010. In its only other visit to Toronto, the Rave Green earned its first road victory in its inaugural away match. The sides split the 2010 season series with each club winning its home match and Seattle will look to win this season's series after a 3-nil home win on April 30. Brad Evans recorded a brace and an assist and Alvaro Fernandez's early goal held as the game-winner as Kasey Keller earned his second shutout. Seattle has scored five of its eight goals against Toronto in the first 45 minutes while three of the Reds' four goals have come in the second half, including two in the final 15.

About Toronto

Toronto FC is tied sixth in the Eastern Conference with 14 points from 15 games. The Reds are on a six-game winless stretch (0-2-4) but have drawn four of its last five. After suffering the biggest defeat in club history on May 28 (6-2 home loss to Philadelphia Union), Toronto FC has bounced back to earn two draws, including a 2-2 tie on the road against the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday. With 15 goals scored and a league-high 25 allowed, Toronto's goal differential (-10) is bottom in the league. The club is third in MLS in shots on goal percentage (38.2), putting 63 of 165 shots on frame.

Reds Notables

Brazilian forward Maicon Santos leads the club with five goals. He has not scored since May 28 but is third in MLS with 38 shots. Veteran forward Alan Gordon has added four goals, including two - one a stoppage time equalizer - against the Galaxy on Saturday. Newcomers Javier Martina and Joao Plata have each added two tallies but the forward paring of Nick Soolsma and Mikael Yourassowsky are yet to score a goal. Defender Richard Eckersley grew up in Salford, England and played for Manchester United from 2007-2009, making two appearances with the senior team. Defender Danleigh Borman has recorded a team-high three assists. Despite a 1.67 goals against average (19th in MLS), Stefan Frei leads the league with 53 saves and has posted four shutouts. The three goals allowed in his last matchup with Seattle came with a season-high six saves.

Two Reds are currently on international duty at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Midfielder Julian De Guzman joined Canada and hopes to earn a result on Tuesday night against Panama to advance out of the group stage. Defender Dicoy Williams (Jamaica) has helped the Reggae Boyz clinch first place in Group B and a spot in the quarterfinals.

Among the notable injuries are midfielder Alen Stevanovic, who has not played since May 28 with adductor tightness and Adrian Cann, who is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

SEA/TFC Connections

Toronto midfielder Nathan Sturgis spent the past two seasons playing in Seattle before being selected by Vancouver in the expansion draft and traded to Toronto over the offseason. Sturgis totaled 29 appearances with one goal and two assists for Sounders FC and has started five games with Toronto this season, going the full 90 in the past two matches. Sigi Schmid coached Alan Gordon at L.A. Galaxy (2004) and Gordon attended Oregon State University. Sounders FC rookie Servando Carrasco (2007-10) played with Toronto's Stefan Frei (2006-08) and Demitrius Omphroy (2007-10) at the University of California-Berkeley. Toronto Defender Ty Harden played at the University of Washington from 2003-06.

Seattle forward O'Brian White moved to Toronto from Jamaica as a teenager in 2002. After playing collegiately at UConn, White was selected by Toronto FC with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He spent two seasons playing for the Reds, totaling 33 appearances with four goals and four assists.

Throw-ins

The crowd of 36,502 last Saturday was the 40th straight sellout and the second-largest for a home MLS match...Fredy Montero returned to the starting XI and peppered Vancouver's goal with six shots...Osvaldo Alonso was issued his fourth yellow card versus Vancouver. A fifth caution would result in a one-game suspension, however if he goes three games without a card Alonso will have his total reduced to three yellows...Kasey Keller has now started 71 consecutive regular season games-the longest current streak in MLS...Midfielders and defenders account for 14 of the team's 18 goals this season...Sixteen players have either scored or assisted on a goal, just three fewer than all of 2010...Saturday, June 18 is the 16th anniversary of Kasey Keller posting the first of his record 47 career shutouts for the U.S. National Team, and he did so in a 4-0 win over Mexico at RFK Stadium in 1995...Next Monday, June 20, marks 24 years since a record 21,728 fans attended Game 7 of the 1987 MISL Championship Series between the Tacoma Stars and Dallas Sidekicks in the Tacoma Dome. Dallas won the deciding game, 4-3 in overtime...Roger Levesque will meet fans and sign autographs at the Pro Shop on Tuesday, June 14 from 6-7 p.m. Visit www.SoundersFC.com for more information.

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