MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on July 11, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Cup Quarterfinal, MLS Champion Colorado to Test Surging Sounders FC at Home

Surging as never before, Seattle Sounders FC fix their sights on reaching the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and winning a third straight MLS home match within a span of four days. First the Rave Green host the L.A. Galaxy in an Open Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. PT at Starfire Sports Stadium. On Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. PT the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids arrive on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. That match will be televised nationally by Fox Soccer

That's only the beginning of an action-packed eight days that culminates July 20 when European giants and 19-time England champion Manchester United play Sounders FC in a highly-anticipated friendly.

More than a hundred-thousand fans will converge on the home grounds during the three dates, raising their scarves to celebrate their heroes. Seattle (9-4-8, 35 points) has climbed to second in the overall league table during a club record MLS eight-match unbeaten streak, winning five and drawing three over the past seven weeks. Punctuating the run was triumph in Portland on Sunday, a 3-2 comeback win sealed by yet another late goal.

Seeking to become only the second three-peat winner of the Open Cup in 98 years, Sounders FC is pitted against a Galaxy side that tops MLS in points, dropping only two matches along the way. L.A. won its third-round match against the Los Angeles Blues, 2-1. Meanwhile Seattle dispatched another PDL team, Kitsap Pumas, by an identical score

In the last seven meetings with the Galaxy, Seattle's only victory came by a 2-nil verdict a year ago in the quarters. If the Rave Green should advance to the semifinals, they would play the winner of Tuesday night's FC Dallas-Real Salt Lake match in Frisco, Tex. Sounders FC would host FC Dallas, however if RSL wins the next round would be played in Utah.

Seattle's first of four road wins this season came at Colorado, 1-0, on April 22. That win was marred by Steve Zakuani sustaining a fractured RIGHT leg in the opening minutes. The Rapids (6-5-9, 27 points) had gone four matches without a win until defeating Vancouver, 2-1, at home last week. However, they own a respectable road record of 3-3-4.

The Rave Green own a 3-1-1 advantage in the league series with Colorado. Following Saturday's match, the next league game will be July 30 at Houston.

Arlo White will be on the call for both Wednesday's Open Cup live streaming on SoundersFC.com and Saturday's broadcast on 97.3 KIRO FM.

For tickets to all Sounders FC home matches go to www.SoundersFC.com or call 800-745-3000.

Sounders FC Fights On

Nothing seems to be routine for the Rave Green of late except for the fact that they are determined to grab any and hopefully all the points in every opportunity. The script in Portland might have been dismissed by movie maker beforehand, the plot of twice coming from a goal down against their arch-rival to leave the Rose City with all the points. While it was not the first comeback win this year, it was the first time Seattle has come from a goal down to win on the road since Oct. 17, 2009 at Kansas City.

Rarified Air

Sounders FC finds themselves five wins over .500 for the first time this season and the third time overall. They are three points ahead of their 21-match start to 2009 (8-5-8) and six points better than last year (8-8-5). After going winless in the first four games, Seattle is now 9-2-6 since April 2. The unbeaten streak of eight games is one more than the 5-0-2 skein from July 11 through August 28, 2010. The road record is now 4-2-5 with a six-game unbeaten streak. Against Colorado the Rave Green will be trying to win three straight home matches for only the second time. They have scored eight goals in the last three home dates.

Montero in the Moment

In a brilliant Portland performance, Fredy Montero seemed to serve notice that his next scoring run may have only just begun. Montero was voted MLS Player of the Week for his two goals which twice brought Seattle level, and his perfectly executed free kick is a leading candidate for Goal of the Week.

A four-time winner of the best goal, his latest nominee may qualify as his greatest. After being brought down 26 yards out, Montero stepped up and sent his kick over a five-man wall. Then the ball both accelerated and dropped toward earth, the topspin taking over as it flew just inches inside the near post. He added another goal and was twice denied by Timbers keeper Troy Perkins, including a point-blank bouncing header in the 87th minute.

Montero broke his own club records by firing eight shots and five on goal, and it was his fourth multi-goal game. Sounders FC are now 16-2-5 all-time when Montero scores and they are 5-0-3 this season when he either scores or provides an assist. All of his team-leading five goals have been scored away this season. The last time he scored at home was a brace versus Chicago on August 28, 2010.

Still only 23, he is approaching an exclusive club. Only seven MLS players have reached 30 career goals prior to their 24th birthday, and three of them (Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and Carlos Ruiz) now rank among the league's all-time goal leaders. Montero has scored three times against Colorado, including the game-winner at DSG Park on April 22.

Ozzie Lately

Osvaldo Alonso's winner from the penalty spot capped still another memorable finish this season. Alonso drove his kick into right corner for his third goal of the year, with all of them coming in the last six matches. Alonso, whose perfectly weighted ball over the top sprung Lamar Neagle on the penalty call, had scored two goals in his first two seasons. Seattle has now scored nine times in the final 15 minutes, including four game-winners and three tying goals.

A Kick in the Grass

Saturday will mark the first of two home matches to be played on a grass surface on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. The installation of sod was completed last week and Sounders FC will use that surface for both the Colorado and Manchester United matches. There was also a temporary grass surface installed for friendlies with Chelsea and Barcelona in 2009.

A Change of Clothes

Make no mistake, Rave Green is their primary color. Yet it seems that change is good now and then. When donning an alternate kit in MLS or Open Cup play Seattle is now 10-2-4, including 3-0-2 with Electricity or Shale in 2011. The latter mark is impressive, given that all four MLS matches were on the road. In 2009 and 2010 Sounders FC was 3-2-2 when wearing its kit featuring a blue jersey. Sounders FC are in the midst of a wearing the Electricity kit four times in five matches. They will use it for the Galaxy quarterfinal and also Manchester United on July 20.

The Passing of Mark Peterson

Sounders FC players wore black armbands in remembrance of Mark Peterson, a star forward and Tacoma native who played for the NASL Sounders and, later Tacoma Stars. Peterson, 51, died last week of unknown causes. He had been honored on May 14 as a recipient of the Golden Scarf, along with boyhood and Sounders teammate Jeff Stock.

Peterson scored the winning goal in the last Seattle win over Portland in the NASL era. He scored the game's lone goal with four minutes remaining on August 22, 1982, clinching the Western Division title for the Sounders. He went on to become North American Player of the Year.

Brian Schmetzer, the first assistant coach for Sounders FC, was also a past teammate of Peterson. Said Schmetzer: "I am deeply saddened over the unfortunate loss of Mark Peterson. Mark was a very close friend of mine from the years we played together with the Sounders. Mark was a very talented goal scorer and always a nice man. I have nothing but respect for him. He was too young to go at 51. This is a sad day."

Rooney, Ferdinand, Nani Highlight Manchester United's Travel Roster

English Premier League champion Manchester United has announced its provisional travel roster for their five-game tour of the United States this summer, which includes the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, their participation in the Herbalife World Football Challenge 2011, and an international match against Seattle Sounders FC.

Led by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the list of international standouts includes English national team stars Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, speedy Portuguese winger Nani, Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, team captain Nemanja Vidic of Serbia, Korean international midfielder Ji-Sung Park, Brazilian twins Fabio and Rafael, and French international defender Patrice Evra.

A few players, including Mexican international Javier Hernandez, will join the club in the United States during the tour after their agreed leave time.

A limited number of tickets are available by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.SoundersFC.com.

Manchester United Tour Roster

Goalkeepers: Ben Amos (ENG), David de Gea (ESP)*, Sam Johnston (ENG), Andres Lindegaard (DEN)

Defenders: Fabio Da Silva (BRA), Rafael Da Silva (BRA), Jonny Evans (NIR), Patrice Evra (FRA), Rio Ferdinand (ENG), Phil Jones (ENG)*, Chris Smalling (ENG)*, Nemanja Vidic (SRB)

Midfielders:Anderson (BRA), Michael Carrick (ENG), Tom Cleverley (ENG)*, Ryan Giggs (WAL), Nani (POR), Gabriel Obertan (FRA), Ji-Sung Park (KOR)

Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov (BUL), Mame Biram Diouf (SEN), Javier Hernandez (MEX)*, Federico Macheda (ITA), Michael Owen (ENG), Wayne Rooney (ENG), Danny Welbeck (ENG)*, Ashley Young (ENG)

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

* Indicates player will join tour in progress.

Sounders FC and SUBWAY Partner for Two Family Fitness Nights

Sounders FC, Seattle-Tacoma SUBWAY Restaurants and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and South Puget Sound will partner for two Family Fitness Nights on Tuesday, July 12, and Thursday, July 21.

Sounders FC defender James Riley will offer eating and exercise advice during the two-hour fitness night on July 12 in Bellevue. Families will be led through a series of interactive exercises including: soccer drills, basketball, jump rope and line dancing. Seattle-Tacoma SUBWAY restaurants will provide healthy sandwiches and Sounders FC prizes to families in attendance.

The partnership between Seattle-Tacoma SUBWAY Restaurants and Seattle Sounders FC was developed to provide health and fitness programming to youth and parents in order to pursue healthier lifestyles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control's National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007-2008), approximately 68 percent of adults are overweight or obese, with 75 million adult Americans considered obese. In the past 30 years, the prevalence of childhood obesity has more than doubled among children ages 2-5, has tripled among youth ages 6-11, and has more than tripled among adolescents ages 12-19.

July 12, 6-8 p.m. - Boys & Girls Club, Bellevue (209 - 100th Ave. NE)

July 20, 6-8 p.m. - Boys & Girls Club, Al Davis/Tacoma (1620 South 17th Street)

Galaxy, Again

For the second year in a row Sounders FC find the Galaxy as the third-round opponent in the Open Cup. In 2010 at Starfire, Nate Jaqua scored two second-half goals to secure Seattle passage to the semifinal with a 2-nil win. Terry Boss got the shutout in goal two days after a 3-1 MLS loss in Carson, Calif. Seattle will be playing L.A. for the 10th time-the most of any opponent.

Cup History in Seattle

A Seattle team is vying to make the Open Cup semifinals for the fifth year in a row. Sounders FC won the title in 2009 and 2010, and the USL-1 Sounders reached the final four in both 2007 (against FC Dallas) and 2008 (Charleston). Previously, the only Seattle club to qualify for an Open Cup final was the amateur Mitre Eagles, runners-up in 1987. The NASL Sounders did not participate in the Open Cup, yet the A-League Sounders competed on an annual basis beginning in 1995, advancing to the semifinals that season and again in 1996.

Seattle became the Open Cup's first repeat champion in the MLS era of the tournament. The last back-to-back winner was the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 1982-83. New York Greek-American (1967-69) achieved the only three-peat in the 98-year-old tournament's history.

The Cup Runneth Over

The Open Cup has also opened the door to Sounders FC on the international stage. The tournament champion earns a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League the following season. Seattle advanced to the Group Stage of the Champions League in 2010. The Rave Green visit Panamanian champion San Francisco FC on July 26 for the first game of the aggregate goals series. That game will be played at the Panama National Team's home stadium, Estadio Rommel Fernandez, in Panama City. Seattle hosts the return match on August 3 at 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

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 CenturyLink 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.

Keller Voted to MLS All-Star First XI

Kasey Keller of Seattle Sounders FC has been named to the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star First XI after receiving the most votes among goalkeepers by the fans. It is the second time Keller has been voted to the All-Star First XI and the third time he has made the team in his three seasons in MLS.Keller, 41, is playing his 20th and final professional season. He was voted to the All-Star XI along with Freddie Ljungberg in 2009 and last year Keller was named an inactive reserve.

2010 MLS All-Star First XI

Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller(Seattle Sounder FC)

Defenders: Sean Franklin (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Rafa Marquez (New York Red Bulls), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls).

Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Jack Jewsbury (Portland Timbers), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)

Forwards: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

AT&T Text Voting Winner:

Defender: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe 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, Backe will select alternates for the game day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars.

Two selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber will be announced July 16. The complete game day roster will be announced on Monday, July 18.Under the CBA, a total of 32 players will be named All-Stars. After the game day roster, the remaining players receiving the All-Star honor will come from voting among MLS players and be announced July 25.

Sounders FC and The UPS Store Team Up for Week-Long Book Drive

Fans are encouraged to bring new books, reading levels preschool to high school, to the next Sounders FC home versus the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Monetary donations will also be accepted, and 100 percent of the donations collected at the match will benefit children in the greater Seattle area through the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

Volunteers from the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and The UPS Store - the exclusive sponsor of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program - will be at all gates collecting books and funds. Fans unable to attend the match may still participate in the Book Drive by dropping off books or monetary donations at local The UPS Store locations through July 15.

Visit SoundersFC.com for additional details and a list of participating The UPS Store locations, and to learn more about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, visit toysfortots.org/literacy.

Academy Update: U16s Draw in First Outing at National Finals

Despite a dominant performance and an early goal from Jesse Klug, the Sounders FC Academy U16 boys were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against the Dallas Texans on Sunday in Milwaukee. It was the first of three group stage games at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals.

Seattle faces Real So Cal on Tuesday and the L.A. Galaxy on Thursday. The group winner advances to the championship game on July 16. Real and the Galaxy also played to a 1-1 draw.

Klug scored in the fifth minute from a feed by Jordan Schweitzer. Keenan Townsend's shutout was spoiled by the Texans with 20 minutes remaining. It was Klug's 14th goal of the season and the seventh in as many matches.

Sounders FC Academy U16 Roster

Goalkeepers: Conor Adkisson (Federal Way, Wash.), Trevor Larson (Auburn, Wash.), Keenan Townsend (Vancouver, Wash.)

Defenders: Jacob Beck (Poulsbo, Wash.), Jeffrey Collings (Seattle, Wash.), Michael Gallagher (Sammamish, Wash.), Ian Lange (Federal Way, Wash.), Sam Langston (Sammamish, Wash.), Jalen Markey (Renton, Wash.)

Midfielders: Stefan Bangsund (Kent, Wash.), Ike Crook (Federal Way, Wash.), Prince Gundersen (Olympia, Wash.), Tolossa Hassan (Seattle, Wash.), Jason McGlothern (Des Moines, Wash.), Odason Pelogi (Federal Way, Wash.), Miles Rodriguez-Nilsen (Poulsbo, Wash.), Jordan Schweitzer (Everett, Wash.), Michael Steele (Custer, Wash.), Austin Sweeney (Federal Way, Wash.), Jordan Thompson (Bellevue, Wash.)

Forwards: Jesse Klug (Sammamish, Wash.), James, Nosack (Vancouver, Wash.), Isidro Prado-Huerta (Renton, Wash.), Chad Radulovich (Delta, B.C.)

Directory of Youth Development: Darren Sawatzky

Head Coach: Dick McCormick

Assistant Coach: Bill Crook, Mark Boyes

Recap: Sounders FC 3, Portland Timbers 2 - July 10, JELD-WEN Field

Fredy Montero scored two second-half goals and Osvaldo Alonso got the game-winner on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute as Sounders FC earned a victory over the Timbers before a national television audience and 18,627 fans.

Alonso's spot kick came after Seattle's Lamar Neagle was taken down in the box by Portland's Eric Brunner. Brunner was issued a red card on the play. Alonso put away the ensuing penalty low and to the right, past Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins

The first of Montero's equalizers came in the 57th minute when he cracked a free kick over the wall of Portland defenders and into the corner of the net from 26 yards out for his fourth goal of the season.

Then, in the 74th minute after the Timbers had taken a 2-1 lead, Neagle collected the ball on the left and crossed it to Mauro Rosales on the right side of the box. Rosales volleyed the ball back to Montero who was alone in front of the net. Rosales leads the team with five assists.

Portland's first goal came in the opening minute of the second half when Kalif Alhassan took the ball up the right side and sent a cross into the box toward Jorge Perlaza. The ball was inadvertently redirected by defender Jeff Parke through the legs of Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller for an own goal. It was the first road goal allowed by Sounders FC in their last 319 minutes of play.

Portland regained a 2-1 advantage in the 70th minute, when Perlaza got out on a run up the left side and sent a cross into the box that was deflected by Seattle defender Tyson Wahl and into the back of the net.

Colorado Series Notes

Seattle is 3-1-1 against Colorado after earning its first victory at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on April 22. Fredy Montero scored the lone goal in Seattle's 1-nil win but winger Steve Zakuani suffered a leg fracture early in the match. Colorado is yet to win in Seattle, having lost 3-0 in 2009 and 2-1 in 2010. The Rave Green has outscored the Rapids 8-4 all-time but has taken 18 fewer shots. Seattle has put 43% of their shots on frame in the series compared to 33% for Colorado. There have been no goals scored in the final 15 minutes of either half, with half of Seattle's goals coming between the 16-30 minute mark.

Montero is the all-time series leader of both teams in nearly every offensive statistic, including three goals, four assists, 14 shots, six shots on goal, 13 fouls committed and 11 fouls suffered.

About Colorado

The Rapids are currently fifth in the West with 27 points from 20 games. They bring a three-game unbeaten streak (1-0-2) into Saturday's matchup but have only won twice in their past 12 contests (2-2-8), including a streak of six consecutive draws. The Rapids have proved strong on the road, going 3-3-4 away this season but have been outscored 13-9. Their last road win came at Portland on June 11 when Drew Moor scored the game's lone goal in the 92nd minute.

Colorado is second in MLS with 266 fouls suffered and fourth with a 10.9 scoring percentage (22 goals on 201 shots). They have put 73 of 201 shots on frame (36.3%), which is also fourth-best in the league.

Rapids Notables

Conor Casey has scored six of the last eight Colorado goals, scoring in all but two Rapids' games since May 28, including the first goal in a 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC last Saturday. Casey is tied sixth in MLS with six goals, all of which have been scored in the last seven weeks. With just 13 appearances this year, his average of 0.46 goals per game is ninth in the league and he scores on 33.3% of his shots. Six other players have scored multiple goals this season, including midfielders Jamie Smith (3) and Jeff Larentowicz (3) and forwards Caleb Folan (2) and Omar Cummings (2). Cummings' and Folan have not scored since April 3. Smith takes most of the corner kicks (51; 6th in MLS) and, along with Casey, has put over 50% of his shots on frame. Matt Pickens has started all 20 games in goal with a 1.15 goals against average (9th). He has made 44 saves (10th) and has posted five shutouts (T-8th).

The Colorado Connection

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. Two former Sounders have played significant minutes for Colorado this season. Tyrone Marshall has 15 appearances with one assist and Sanna Nyassi has 13 appearances 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 while Marshall was obtained in the re-entry draft last December. Colorado defender Danny Earls was acquired by Seattle from Colorado in a trade prior to the expansion draft last November and spent the preseason with Sounders FC.

About Los Angeles

The league-leading Galaxy have won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005) and were runners-up twice (2002, 2006). The club's first Open Cup title came under the direction of head coach Sigi Schmid in 2001. The Galaxy are riding an 12-game unbeaten run (6-0-6) in MLS play, beating the Chicago Fire 2-1 on Saturday. They reached the quarterfinal round with a come-from-behind win, 2-1, over the USL Pro League's L.A. Blues last Tuesday.

Galaxy Notables

Omar Gonzalez led the Galaxy to victory in the third round with a goal and assist against the L.A. Blues. Gonzalez scored the second-half equalizer then served the winning assist on Mike Magee's 81st minute strike. Other notable Galaxy players who started in the third round include defenders Sean Franklin and A.J. DeLaGarza, midfielder Juninho (who also recorded an assist), forward Chad Barrett and goalkeeper Brian Perk. In last year's quarterfinal matchup Josh Saunders started in goal and Landon Donovan and David Beckham were left off the game day roster.

SEA/LA Connections

Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid began his MLS coaching career with Los Angeles in 1999, serving as head coach for six seasons (1999-2004). Schmid won four major competitions, including the 2002 MLS Cup, and he was voted MLS Coach of the Year in his first season. Assistant coach Ezra Hendrickson played for Schmid's 2002 MLS Cup champion Galaxy team. The Galaxy's Bruce arena served as coach for the University of Puget Sound in 1976 and previously played for the Tacoma Tides of the American Soccer League. Jeff Parke played with Juan Pablo Angel and Mike Magee at New York. Nate Jaqua played with Chad Barrett in Chicago in 2005 and 2006. Schmid coached Frankie Hejduk at UCLA from 1992-94. David Estrada (2006-09) and the Galaxy's Brian Perk (2006-09), Michael Stephens (2006-09) and Sean Alvarado (2005-09) played together at UCLA. Perk also played in the USL-PDL for the Seattle Wolves in 2009.

Upcoming Anniversaries

On July 19, 1981 Kevin Bond scored two goals as the NASL Sounders came from behind to earn a 3-3 road draw at New York and claim the Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup over a four-team field of the Comos, Celtic and Southampton.

On July 17, 1997 Washington voters passed a $300 million funding package to build CenturyLink Field.

Appearances

O'Brian White will sign autographs next Tuesday, July 12 from 6-7 p.m. at the Pro Shop at CenturyLink Field...James Riley will offer eating and exercise advice during a two-hour fitness night on July 12 at the Boys & Girls Club in Bellevue (209 100th Ave. NE, Bellevue, 98004). For more information visit www.SoundersFC.com

Throw-ins

Sigi Schmid elected to go with the same lineup in consecutive matches for just the fourth time at Portland...Roger Levesque made his third consecutive start up front and Pat Noonan came on as a substitute for the third game in a row...Kasey Keller extended his consecutive starts streak to 76 matches dating back to April 25, 2009...Lamar Neagle earned his first MLS assist vs. the Timbers...Michael Tetteh has returned from his loan spell with Orlando City. Tetteh played in three matches for the USL PRO club...Seattle is a perfect 7-0-0 in Open Cup-related home matches played at Starfire Sports Stadium since 2009...Jhon Kennedy Hurtado's wife Daysury gave birth to their second son, Gian Pierre, on July 7.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 11, 2011


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