MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

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


Huge Crowd to See Sounders FC Face Manchester United

One of the largest crowds in Pacific Northwest soccer history will be treated to a special evening on Wednesday as Seattle Sounders FC face legendary world power and reigning English Premier League champion Manchester United. The international friendly on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field will be televised nationally by Fox Soccer. First kick is 7 p.m. PT.

Following the midweek match Sounders FC will begin preparing and packing for their trip to Panama. They begin their CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round series with San Francisco FC on July 26 in Panama City. The first leg of the aggregate goal series begins at 5 p.m. PT and will be broadcast by Fox Soccer.

When facing the best in the game, Sounders FC (10-4-8, 38 points) want to be peaking, playing at the top of their game. And while there's always room for improvement it's difficult to argue with the results of late. Seattle is operating at full steam, winning seven of the last eight matches across all competitions. In MLS play, the Rave Green have gone unbeaten in a club record nine (6-0-3) games since May 25 to pull within a single point of the L.A. Galaxy at the top of the table.

They are going into a two-week break from the league following a sensational seven days. It began with a dramatic road win versus archrival Portland, followed by advancement to the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and finally the third MLS comeback victory in a row.

Three second-half goals carried Seattle past Colorado, 4-3, before the 43rd straight sellout crowd. Three days earlier Sounders FC punched their ticket to the last four of the Open Cup, beating the Galaxy, 3-1. The Rave Green are now one win away from playing for a third straight Open Cup championship. They host FC Dallas on August 30 at Starfire Sports Stadium.

Attendance at Wednesday's match will threaten the impressive records set by earlier visits by European giants. Manchester United's first match at then-Seahawks Stadium in 2003 established a standard for the region, with 66,722 coming to see the friendly versus Celtic. That mark has since been broken, first by Real Madrid vs. D.C. United in 2006 (66,834) and then Sounders FC vs. Barcelona in 2009 (66,848).

The Red Devils claim to be the most popular team in the world with 333 million fans, and Forbes has rated Man United as the most valuable sports franchise on the planet ($2.66 billion). They are coming off a record-breaking 19th English top-flight title and runner-up finish in the UEFA Champions League. On this tour they are bringing their marquee stars, such as Wayne Rooney, Nani, Rio Ferdinand and the legendary Ryan Giggs.

The Emerald City has hosted Man United twice before. There was the aforementioned friendly with Celtic (a 4-0 win) in 2003, however United also played the original incarnation of the Sounders in 1982 at the Kingdome. Seattle's NASL club won, 3-nil, on two first-half goals by the late Mark Peterson. This is Manchester United's second of five fixtures on their preseason tour of America.

After playing four times in 11 days Sounders FC will a get a brief reprieve prior to a long, long road trip beginning in Panama against San Francisco FC. They return via Houston, where they play the Dynamo on July 30 at 5:30 p.m. PT.

Following this week's friendly, the next home match will be on August 3, the second and deciding leg of the San Francisco series. Note: the previously scheduled MLS home match versus Philadelphia has been moved from July 23 to October 8.

Calling the Man United match from the radio booth will be Arlo White on 97.3 KIRO FM.

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

Rosales Named MLS Player of the Week

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Mauro Rosales was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 18 of the 2011 MLS season. Rosales scored the winning goal and added an assist in Seattle's 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at CenturyLink Field.

Rosales became the third Sounder to win Player of the Week this season. Fredy Montero won the award last week (Week 17) and Jeff Parke won it in week 10.

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/ .

The Comeback Boys

Whether it's the big picture or the pieces that comprise the composite, Seattle has demonstrated a remarkable knack for bouncing back from adversity. From a 0-2-2 start to the year they have averaged two points from the last 18 games. In each of the last three MLS wins they have come from behind. No team has a superior record to Sounders FC (3-4-3) after allowing the first goal.

Sitting sixth in the Western Conference after the first four matches, Sounders FC are now the hottest club in the league over the last handful of games, collecting 13 of 15 points (4-0-1). Despite losing two of their top attacking threats to long-term injuries they have scored the second-most goals in the league, pounding home 13 in the last four wins. The goals have come from plentiful opportunities; Seattle leads MLS in shots, shots on goal and is second in corner kicks.

What Rave Have Done Lately

Sounders FC are the far and away league leaders in late goals, scoring 11 times in the final 15 minutes. A pair of those came in the last eight minutes against Colorado last week. A 2-2 tie was snapped suddenly and decisively by Fredy Montero and Mauro Rosales in the 82nd and 84th minutes, respectively. During the nine-match unbeaten run eight goals have been scored from 74 minutes on, including four game-winners. Seattle, which produced four goals only once in the club's first 77 games, has twice tallied four in the last five matches.

Six Talk

Sounders FC are now six wins over .500 for the first time. They are also six points ahead of their 22-match start to 2009 (8-6-8) and 2010 (9-8-5). After going 0-2-2 in the first four games, Seattle is now 10-2-6 since April 2. Seattle also owns a six-game unbeaten run on the road where its record is 4-2-5.

Men on Fire

It's been more than one or two players who have pushed Seattle toward the summit. For sure, Fredy Montero is the man of the moment. He scored twice last week, first netting the winner in the Cup quarterfinal then diving to head his team-leading sixth goal versus Colorado. Montero also assisted on the next goal, by Mauro Rosales, and has totaled four goals and two assists during the unbeaten run.

The workload has been evenly distributed. Osvaldo Alonso has scored three times and has two assists during the streak while Rosales has three assists and two goals. Roger Levesque's goal against the Rapids was his third in the last three home matches.

Montero's six goals elevates him to a tie for sixth in the league and he's tied for ninth in assists. Sounders FC are now 17-2-5 all-time when he scores and they are 6-0-3 this season when he either scores or provides an assist.

Rosales has risen to fourth in MLS assists. He is second in fouls suffered and Seattle's record when he starts is 8-1-5.

Flaco's Fantastic Finish

In a match that featured more total goals than any previous Sounders FC match, Alvaro Fernandez and Mauro Rosales finished some fine movements with aplomb. Down a goal after 60 seconds, Seattle equalized through Fernandez six minutes later. Osvaldo Alonso freed Flaco, who was running from the left flank. The Uruguayan cut the ball back, fended off the Rapids' Kosuke Kimura and drove the ball into the right side past Matt Pickens for his fifth goal. The Rosales goal was a clinical, first-time finish set-up by a sublime feed from Fredy Montero, his ball into space cutting out the last three defenders, leaving Rosales alone against Pickens. Fernandez's goal is nominated for MLS Goal of the Week, along with Roger Levesque's second-half strike. Rave Green players have already won four MLS Goal of the Week votes, more than any other team.

The 150 Watch

The pace has quickened on Sigi Schmid's march toward 150 career victories. He is now only one away from becoming the first in MLS to reach that plateau. Schmid is the all-time leader in both regular season (149) and postseason (19) wins. Last week his contract was extended through 2015.

His teams have won two MLS Cups, two Supporters' Shields (best record), and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups. Two of those Open Cup triumphs have come with Seattle, which became the first club in 28 years to successfully repeat as champions. Sounders FC also became the first expansion team in 11 years to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2009 and qualified again in 2010. Schmid's regular season record in Seattle is 36-21-25 and 49-29-28 in all competitions.

Fans Encouraged to Arrive Early for Wednesday's Match

Soccer fans attending the Sounders FC vs. Manchester United match on Wednesday, July 20 are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early. The CenturyLink Field gates will open at 5 p.m. for the 7 p.m. First Kick.

The team recommends using regular Metro service, Sound Transit ST Express buses and the Light Rail.ST Express buses offer transportation from areas throughout Pierce, King and Snohomish counties with service every 30 minutes and stops within three blocks of CenturyLink Field. Metro also offers over 15 daily bus routes that stop within three blocks of CenturyLink Field.

For more transportation information visit http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Transportation/Guide.aspx .

To ease congestion, fans are invited to participate in the following match day activities:

March to the Match

Join Sound Wave, the Sounders FC Alliance and fans as they "March to the Match." The March will depart Occidental Park located in the heart of Pioneer Square at the intersection of Main Street and Occidental Avenue South at 6 p.m. and finish just outside the Northwest Gate, where fans can enter the stadium.

Trophy Viewing

Fans may view Manchester United's English Premier League trophy and the Sounders FC two U.S. Open Cup trophies inside the Northwest Gate, located in the North Plaza, next to the DHL truck.

Soccer Celebration

Soccer Celebration activities are located at the Northwest Gate, continue inside the stadium at the North Plaza and throughout the CenturyLink Field. Activities include inflatable games, face and hair painting, sign making, music and more. Soccer Celebration activities begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at First Kick.

Marching Along with Man United

Manchester United players and staff will have an opportunity to settle into their surroundings, spending six nights in Seattle before moving to their next stop, Chicago. United opened its tour by beating the New England Revolution, 4-1 behind the two second-half goals of Federico Macheda. Sir Alex Ferguson started an XI that featured the legendary internationals Wayne Rooney, Nani, Ashley Young, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Dimitar Berbatov and Ji-Sung Park. Premiership legends Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen came on as substitutes. Owen and Park each scored.

The Red Devils face the Fire on Saturday night, play the MLS All-Stars at Harrison, New Jersey on July 27 and conclude the tour by playing Barcelona outside Washington, D.C. on July 30.

Sounders FC season ticket holders have received tickets to the Manchester United game as part of their 18-match package.

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.

Man United/Seattle Area Connections

Sounders FC first assistant Brian Schmetzer was a 19-year-old member of the NASL Sounders who beat Man United in 1982. Freddie Goodwin, one of the Busby Babes for Manchester United in the late Fifties, now resides in nearby Gig Harbor, Wash. Goodwin remained in the Puget Sound area after serving as Vice President and coach of the Tacoma Stars indoor franchise in the mid-Eighties. John Rooney, Wayne Rooney's younger brother, trained with Sounders FC last summer prior to signing with MLS and being drafted by New York. Rooney played for the Red Bulls in Seattle on June 23.

Keller v United

Kasey Keller is the only Sounders FC player to have faced Manchester United in a competitive situation. Keller, now in his 20th and final professional season, played 12 years in England (Millwall, Leicester City, Tottenham, Fulham). It was with Leicester that Keller realized the most success,winning one Premiership encounter, 1-0, at Old Trafford in 1997-98 and eliminating United from the Carling Cup at home in 1996-97. There were also three league draws in each of his three seasons with the Foxes. United won the EPL in both 1997 and 1999.

Sounders, Past and Present, In England

Some English first division stars who have worn the Sounders colors in the past include Mike England (1975-79), Geoff Hurst (1976), Sir Bobby Moore (1978), Alan Hudson (1979-83), Roger Davies (1980-82), Steve Daley (1981-83), Joe Corrigan (1983) and Freddie Ljungberg (2009-10). Current Spurs manager Harry Redknapp (1976-79) ended his playing days in Seattle while also serving as an assistant to Jimmy Gabriel, and Everton mainstay and later caretaker manager for the Toffees. Onetime Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch played for the Sounders and later coached FC Seattle.

Records Watch

The top 10 attendances for matches played in the Pacific Northwest (notably Seattle, Vancouver, B.C. and Portland):

66,848 August 5, 2009 Qwest Field Sounders FC 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)

65,289 July 18, 2009 Qwest Field Sounders FC v Chelsea (friendly)

60,342 June 20, 1983 BC Place Vancouver v Seattle (NASL)

60,051 October 1, 1983 BC Place Toronto v Tulsa (NASL final)

58,218 April 9, 1976 Kingdome Seattle v New York (friendly)

56,416 April 16, 2008 Qwest Field Mexico v China (friendly)

56,256 August 25, 1977 Kingdome Seattle v Los Angeles (NASL playoffs)

56,255 July 20, 1983 BC Place Vancouver v Montreal (NASL)

Manchester United in Seattle

Much has changed since Man United's first visit to Seattle. Microsoft was still a privately held company, Safeco Plaza (then the Seafirst Bank Building) was the city's tallest structure at 50 stories and all professional sports were played indoors. Ron Atkinson brought the Red Devils to town fresh to play five days after finishing in the old first division. The match was played inside the Kingdome, on artificial turf, and both United and the NASL Sounders were predominantly British. Yet it was hometown boy Mark Peterson who starred, scoring twice, and his fellow Tacoma native Jeff Stock helped keep a clean sheet.

A generation later, Microsoft had grown far beyond Widows and had launched the Xbox game console. Starbucks had grown from single coffee shop in Pike Place Market to 6,400 locations worldwide, the Columbia Center towered over downtown at 76 stories and the re-born (1994) Sounders were playing in America's second division. In 2003 Sir Alex Ferguson's United arrived in preseason mode, having won its eighth Premier League title in 11 years two months before. David Beckham had just left for Madrid and a Portuguese youngster Cristiano Ronaldo had yet to make his debut. Barely a year old, then-Seahawks Stadium was filled with a record crowd for any sport. A missed Celtic penalty was the harbinger of a barren night for the Bhoys. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Skolskjaer and Ryan Giggs helped lift up United 3-nil by the break.

Seattle Sounders 3, Manchester United 0 (EuroPac Cup)

5/20/82 - Kingdome (12,639)

SEA - Mark Peterson 8

SEA - Roy Greaves (Steve Daley, Ray Evans) 32

SEA - Mark Peterson (Peter Ward, Steve Daley) 45

Manchester United - Gary Bailey; John Gidman, Arthur Albiston, Kevin Moran, Gordon McQueen; Mike Duxbury, Tom Sloan, Ashley Grimes; Norman Whiteside, Frank Stapleton, Garry Birtles

Seattle - Paul Hammond; Ray Evans, Benny Dargle, Nicky Reid, Jeff Stock; Roy Greaves (Gary Mills 46), Frank Barton, Steve Buttle; Peter Ward (Roger Davies 79), Mark Peterson, Steve Daley

Manchester United 4, Celtic FC 0

July 22, 2003 - Seahawks Stadium (66,722)

MAN - Ruud van Nistelrooy (Ole Gunnar Skolskjaer) 7

MAN - Ryan Giggs (Ruud van Nistelrooy) 28

MAN - Ole Gunnar Skolskjaer (Gary Neville) 39

MAN - David Bellion (Paul Scholes) 72

Manchester United - 13-Roy Carroll; 2-Gary Neville, 3-Phil Neville (17-Danny Pugh 89), 5-Rio Ferdinand, 6-John O'Shea; 8-Nicky Butt (7-Darren Fletcher 74), 15-Quinton Fortune (12-Mark Lynch 67), 16-Roy Keane (4-Juan Sebastian Veron 46), 10-Ruud van Nistelrooy (14-Diego Forlan 60), 11-Ryan Giggs (9-David Bellion 60), 20-Ole Gunnar Skolskjaer (19-Kieran Richardson 74)

Celtic FC - 1-Magnus Hedman (13-Robert Douglas 46); 6-Bobo Balde, 16-Ulrik Laursen (2-Johan Mjallry 46), 23-Stanislav Varga (4-Jackie McNamara 72); 8-Alan Thompson 15-Bobby Petta 45), 10-Jamie Smith (21-Liam Miller 46), 17-Didier Agathe (3-Mohamed Sylla 74), 18-Neil Lennon (11-Shawn Maloney 46), 19-Stilian Petrov (14-Paul Lambert 46); 9-Chris Sutton (20-Craig Beattie 86), 7-Henrik Larsson (12-David Fernandez 74)

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.

A Kick in the Grass

Wednesday will mark the second 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 used that surface for the Colorado game and will again use it for the Manchester United match. There was also a temporary grass surface installed for friendlies with Chelsea and Barcelona in 2009.

From July 5 through July 8, 100,000 square-feet of sod was laid over the FieldTurf surface. The sod, which was grown in Pasco, Washington, will later be donated and delivered to Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett.

Sounders FC Takes Flight

Sounders FC finishes July with its longest road trip yet for a competitive match. The team departs July 24 for the 3685-mile flight to Panama City, where they face San Francisco FC on July 26. The next four nights will be spent in Houston, site of the next MLS match on July 30. Prior to this trip, the farthest destination was San Jose, Costa Rica to face Saprissa in the group stage of the 2010 Champions League. In league play along Seattle will fly an estimated 50,582 miles this season.

San Francisco FC (provided by CONCACAF)

Founded: 1971

City: La Chorrera, Panama

Stadium: Estadio Agustin Sanchez

Manager: Gary Stempel

Qualification method: 2011 Panamanian Clausura champion

Previous CONCACAF Champions League appearances: 3 (2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11)

Honors: Panamanian league - 7 (1994-95, 1995-96, 2006, 2007 Clausura, 2008 Apertura, 2009 Apertura, 2011 Clausura)

San Francisco is making its fourth Champions League appearance. In the inaugural tournament, San Francisco beat Guatemalan side Jalapa 5-1 in the Preliminary Round to advance to the Group Stage, where it went winless and finished last in Group B with two points from six matches. Two years ago, San Francisco carried a 2-0 edge into the second leg of a Preliminary Round aggregate series against San Juan Jabloteh, but suffered a 3-0 loss in Trinidad and was eliminated. Last year, it was again eliminated in the Preliminary Round 9-2 on aggregate by Cruz Azul. San Francisco plays in the renovated Estadio Agustin Sanchez, which changed to an artificial surface in 2008 and now has a capacity of 8,000. However, due to a current renovation of the stadium, the Champions League match has been moved to Estadio Rommel Fernandez, home of the Panama National Team, in Panama City. It has a capacity of 32,000 and a grass surface.

Nicknamed Los Monjes (The Monks), San Francisco won the 2011 Clausura on May 14 by beating Chorillo, 3-2, on a stoppage time goal. It opened the 2011 Apertura by winning, 1-nil, at Sporting Santa Miguelito last week, and hosts Alianza on July 24.

Awaiting the Winner

The second and deciding match of Seattle's preliminary round series with San Francisco will be on August 3 at 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. The winner of the aggregate goals series advances to Group D, joining defending Champions League winner Monterrey (Mexico),Comunicaciones (Guatemala) and the winner of the preliminary round matchup of Herediano (Costa Rica) and Alpha United (Guyana). Herediano and Alpha United meet July 26 and again August 4.

From Here to There

Sounders FC qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League by winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The other U.S. berths went to the Colorado Rapids (MLS Cup champion), L.A. Galaxy (MLS Supporters' Shield winner) and FC Dallas (MLS Cup runner-up). The former two receive automatic passage to the group stage. Toronto FC is Canada's representative.

The CONCACAF Champions League is open to the leading teams from federations throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Monterrey of Mexico won the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League. Monterrey will represent CONCACAF in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December. Italy's Inter Milan is the reigning world champion.

The Champions League consists of three stages: preliminary rounds, group play and knockout rounds. Group play will begin in mid-August and conclude in late October. Two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, to be played in February 2012. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are two-match series with the winner determined by total aggregate goals. Away goals will be used as the tiebreaker. If teams remain tied after extra time in the second game, the outcome will be decided by penalty kicks.

Sounders in CONCACAF Past

This marks the third CONCACAF involvement for a Seattle professional team. Sounders FC advanced to the group stage in 2010, taking fourth behind Monterrey, Saprissa and Marathon. The A-League Sounders qualified as the U.S. representative in 1996 as champions of that league. Seattle defeated Surinam's Transvaal in the preliminary round then finished fourth in the final group stage, won by eventual champion Cruz Azul.

Five Times Four

For the fifth year in a row a Seattle team is through to the Open Cup semifinals. 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). The A-League Sounders got to the final four in 1995 and again in 1996. Sounders FC 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.

Academy Update: Sounders FC U16s Take Fifth at National Finals

Sounders FC Academy completed a very successful first season of competition last week with the U16 boys clinching fifth place at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals in Milwaukee. Chad Radulovich's header from a Stefan Bangsund corner put the Rave Green up early and Michael Steele doubled the lead late in a 2-0 victory over the North Carolina Fusion. Trevor Larson got the shutout.

Seattle had dropped its third group stage game, 3-0, to the eventual national champion L.A. Galaxy. Prior to that result came a 2-1 comeback win over Real SoCal. Austin Sweeney scored from distance to equalize. Ian Lange nodded in a corker kick from Sweeney for the winner.

Both the U16 and U18s finished first in their respective Northwest Division, qualifying for the national playoffs.

Recap: Sounders FC 4, Colorado Rapids 3 - July 16, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field

Fredy Montero and Mauro Rosales scored goals two minutes apart in the final eight minutes, spurring Sounders FC to a comeback win over the reigning MLS Cup Champion Rapids in front of a national television audience and 36,424 fans.

Alvaro Fernandez and Roger Levesque also scored for Sounders FC, who won their third straight MLS home match and swept the series with Colorado.

Rosales' goal in the 84th minute, making it 4-2, proved to be the game winner after Colorado's Caleb Folan pulled the visitors a goal back in the 90th minute.

Montero sent a ball forward for Rosales, who hammered a shot past Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens and into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

Seattle had taken its first lead, 3-2, two minutes earlier, in the 82nd minute. Brad Evans chased down a ball in the corner of the box and chipped it across the box. Pickens landed a hand on it, but Montero was lurking at the far post for a diving header just inside the left post.

Sounders FC started their comeback in the opening minutes of the second half, when Levesque equalized the score, 2-2. In the 48th minute, Rosales tracked down a ball up the right side that was played forward by Osvaldo Alonso. Rosales sent a cross in for Levesque, who slid at the near post and knocked it inside the far post with his right foot for his third goal of the season.

Colorado had Seattle on their heels early, scoring in the opening minute of play. Rapids midfielder Wells Thompson collected a loose ball at the top of the box and knocked it across Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller and inside the left post, putting the Rapids up a goal.

The Rapids would take a 2-1 advantage into halftime, after Jeff Larentowicz placed a left-footed strike off the right post and into the net for a goal in the 43rd minute.

Sounders FC collected 13 shots with nine of them coming on goal. The Rapids racked up 13 shots as well, but just four on goal.

Recap: Sounders FC 3, L.A. Galaxy 1 - July 13, Starfire Sports Stadium

Nate Jaqua struck early, Fredy Montero added another first-half goal, and Lamar Neagle provided some insurance late, as Seattle remained unbeaten in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament-related games, topping the L.A. Galaxy in a quarterfinal match in front of 4,322.

With the victory, Sounders FC advance to the semifinals and will host FC Dallas in a semifinal match at Starfire Sports Stadium on either August 30 or 31.The two-time defending Open Cup champions improve to 11-0-1 all-time in the tournament and related qualifiers.

Sounders FC put enormous pressure on the MLS-leading Galaxy early in the match, earning a 2-0 lead within the first 25 minutes of play.

In the fourth minute, Jaqua took a pass up the middle from midfielder Pat Noonan and caught Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders leaning the wrong way. Jaqua knocked a left-footed shot into the net from near the top of the box to go up one goal.

Jaqua, the 2010 U.S. Open Cup Player of the Tournament, has now scored eight career goals in Open Cup play, including seven in his three seasons with Sounders FC.

Montero tacked on another goal in the 25th minute. Jaqua held control of the ball on the left side of the box and played it back to Montero in the middle. Montero pulled the ball with his left foot and slid a shot past Saunders, putting Seattle on top 2-nil.

The Galaxy had several chances on goal in the first half before finally beating Seattle goalkeeper Terry Boss late in the period.

In the 40th minute, Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall sent a cross for Adam Cristman who directed a shot into the left side of the net, cutting into the deficit to 2-1.

Neagle tacked on another Sounders FC goal in the 74th minute. Alvaro Fernandez stole the ball at midfield and streaked down the right. He found Neagle on a run into the box and Neagle pounded a shot past Saunders from short range.

Sounders FC dominated the flow of play, leading the Galaxy in total shots (23- 13) and shots on goal (11-7).Boss recorded five saves, while Saunders was busy throughout the night, racking up eight.

Appearances

Terry Boss will sign autographs and take photos with fans on Tuesday, July 19 from 4-5 p.m. at Seattle Bank - Queen Anne (190 Queen Anne Avenue N, Seattle)...James Riley will offer eating and exercise advice during a two-hour fitness night on July 21 from 6-8 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club (1620 South 17th Street, Tacoma, 98405). The fitness night is presented by Sounders FC, Seattle-Tacoma SUBWAY Restaurants and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and South Puget Sound.

Throw-ins

Seattle is now 8-0-2 all-time when generating eight or more shots on goal. It had nine versus Colorado... The consecutive starts for Kasey Keller is now 77 consecutive matches dating back to April 25, 2009...Fredy Montero turns 24 years of age on July 26...The Rave Green's 32 goals are only seven shy of the record of 39 scored in 2010...With Alvaro Fernandez's seventh-minute score, Seattle now has six in the first 15 minutes, ranking second in MLS. It is 7-0-3 when scoring first...Last week's game the first that three goals were allowed in a win... Osvaldo's Alonso's two assists tied his team record, first set in the club's second match of the inaugural year, 2-0 over Real Salt Lake...Sounders FC has now clinched four season series.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 18, 2011


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