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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

April 9, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Sounders FC Returns Home to Take on Colorado Rapids

Seattle Sounders FC returns home from its first road trip of the season for a Western Conference matchup this Saturday against the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Saturday's match will be televised live on KONG 6/16 with Ross Fletcher and Kasey Keller on the call, and can be heard on 97.3 KIRO FM. ROOT Sports will also broadcast the match live out of market. La Gran D 99.3 FM will carry the match live in Spanish.

Seattle (2-1-1, 7 points) traveled to Washington, D.C., last weekend and earned an all-important away point in its first road test of the season. The Rave Green held United scoreless and extended its regular season road unbeaten streak to an MLS-best six matches (5-0-1).

Sounders FC looks to wrap up the first phase of the season at home this Saturday before taking a two-week break. Seattle has earned seven points through its first four matches, and can bring its average up to two points per match with a win this weekend.

Colorado (3-2-0, 9 points) is currently third in the West after dropping last Saturday's match, 2-nil to Real Salt Lake. The Rapids have one win and two losses on the road this season, and have yet to earn a victory in the Emerald City.

Sounders FC has dominated the all-time series with Colorado, taking a 4-1-1 advantage with two wins last season. Seattle has won all three home contests against the Rapids, outscoring them nine to four. The early afternoon kickoff marks the first day game of the season for Seattle.

The first break of the hectic season will come after Saturday's match as Sounders FC will have two weeks before traveling to Chicago to take on the Fire on April 28. Sounders FC has played six matches over all competitions in the first four weeks of the season.

The first home MLS Reserve League match kicks off on Tuesday evening as Seattle hosts the Portland Timbers at Starfire Stadium at 7 p.m. There is no charge for admission, although donations will be accepted at the gate ($5 suggested) with proceeds directed toward the Sounders FC community partners.

The reserves will play two more matches this month as they visit Los Angeles twice for meetings with the Galaxy (April 16) and Chivas USA (April 23).

Tickets to home MLS matches are available through www.SoundersFC.com, all Ticketmaster Outlets, CenturyLink Field Box Office or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL.

Upcoming Competition Schedule (times are Pacific & subject to change)

Saturday, April 14, 1 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field

Saturday, April 28, 5:30 p.m. - Sounders FC at Chicago Fire, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL

Wednesday, May 2, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. L.A. Galaxy, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field

Saturday, May 5, 1 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Philadelphia Union, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field

Wednesday, May 9, 5:30 p.m. - Sounders FC at FC Dallas, FC Dallas Stadium, Frisco, TX

Upcoming Reserve League Schedule (times are Pacific & subject to change)

Tuesday, April 10, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers, Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, Wash.

Monday, April 16, 11 a.m. - Sounders FC at L.A. Galaxy, Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

Monday, April 23, 11 a.m. - Sounders FC at Chivas USA, Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

First Five: Phase One of the Season Coming to a Close

Sounders FC wraps up the first phase of the season this weekend against the Colorado Rapids. The five-game stretch concludes the first month of MLS play as Seattle will take a two-week break before returning to league action. With seven points through its first four games Sounders FC has the opportunity to surpass coach Sigi Schmid's magic number of one and a half points per match with a win or a draw. Seattle averaged 1.85 points per game last season, and look to increase its point total again this season.

The best five-game start in franchise history was in the inaugural season when Sounders FC earned nine points through the first five matches (3-2-0). In 2011 - Seattle's best regular season - the club had to wait until game five for its first win, and earned just five points in its first five matches.

Sounders FC is 6-4-4 all-time in April, going undefeated (3-0-2) in 2011, and the nine April goals scored last season equaled the output of the first two seasons combined. The club's last April loss was on April 25, 2010 at Toronto FC.

Bouncing Back: Seattle Shows Well Following a Loss

Over the past three seasons, Sounders FC has shown its true character after a loss. Seattle is undefeated following its last eight losses over all competitions, going 7-0-1 in that span, dating back to July 30, 2011. So far this season, Seattle followed up a 6-1 road defeat at Santos Laguna with a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC in the MLS opener, and earned a draw at D.C. United following a 1-nil home defeat to San Jose on March 31. Overall, Sounders FC is 18-10-8 coming off a loss in all competitions.

Getting Defensive: Seattle Stout in the Back

The most potent attack in MLS may garner most of the attention but the backbone of Seattle's success over the past three seasons has been its defense. The trend has continued this season as Seattle has earned two shutouts in its first four matches, allowing just two goals this season (Ryan Johnson's MLS Goal of the Week in week two and Chris Wondolowski's penalty kick in Seattle's third game). Sounders FC ranks third in MLS with a 0.50 goals against average. Last season, it took seven games for Seattle to earn two shutouts.

Ironman Ianni: Defensive Stalwart has Started Every Match

A focal point of one of the league's top defenses this season has been the play of center back Patrick Ianni. The only defender to have started all four matches, Ianni has helped Seattle shutout opponents twice and allow just one open play goal. Seattle is 24-14-12 when Ianni starts and the club is 30-15-17 in Ianni's 62 appearances.

Ianni is one of three players to have played all 360 minutes this season. Goalkeeper Michael Gspurning and midfielder Osvaldo Alonso have also played every minute. Forward Fredy Montero has played all but one minute this season.

Men in the Middle: Evans, Ozzie Lockdown Midfield

The combination of Brad Evans and Osvaldo Alonso in the center of the pitch is one of the strongest midfield pairings in MLS. Evans' return to the starting XI last Saturday was a welcomed sight for the Sounders FC faithful as the side is much improved with the midfielder in the lineup. Seattle has lost just once (10-1-5) in Evans' last 16 appearances, and the club is 28-14-20 overall. His partner Alonso is perhaps the most tenacious ballwinner in all of MLS. Alonso's skill and persistence were highlighted again last Saturday as he helped shutdown MVP Dwayne De Rosario. Alonso registered a season-high 10 interceptions, seven tackles won (one lost) to go along with 16 tackles where possession was lost. The Cuban midfielder held De Rosario to a season-low two shots (none on goal).

On the Mend: Several Players Nearly Recovered

With the return of Brad Evans and Eddie Johnson to the pitch last Saturday, the injury list for Seattle is quickly shrinking. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (pelvic sprain) was available on the bench for Seattle, and Mauro Rosales (knee sprain) and Adam Johansson (hamstring strain) are making steady progress. Rookie Andrew Duran (knee surgery) has returned to the training field and midfielder Steve Zakuani (leg fracture) played against outside competition for the first time last week.

Road to Success: Seattle Continues to Earn Away Points

The top road team in 2011 hopes to continue the trend as Seattle extended its road unbeaten streak to an MLS-best six games (5-0-1) with a scoreless draw at D.C. United last weekend. With just four Eastern Conference road trips remaining, the point against United could prove imperative. Seattle went 9-3-5 away from home in 2011 and not only won more games than every other team but lost just three times (two fewer than any other MLS club). Seattle's .676 road winning percentage last season was fourth-best in MLS history as the Rave Green scored a league-best 24 goals on the road last season.

Series Notes

Seattle has won the previous three meetings with Colorado, improving its record to 4-1-1 in the six regular season meetings. Sounders FC has protected its home field by winning all three contests in the Emerald City, scoring multiple goals in all three home games. The Rave Green have scored multiple goals in four of the six games. Only once has Colorado held Seattle scoreless as Sounders FC has outscored the Rapids by five despite taking 17 fewer shots. Colombian striker Fredy Montero leads all players with four goals and five assists in the series, putting seven of his 15 shots on frame.

Colorado went 6-7-4 away from home in 2011 and took three points in their first road contest in 2012, but have followed with two consecutive road losses. Seattle looks to get back to its winning ways at home after dropping its last home contest to San Jose on March 31. Seattle is 2-1-0 at home this season and has outscored opponents five to two.

About Colorado Rapids

Head Coach Oscar Pareja's attack has been a balanced one so far in 2012 with seven goals from six different goal scorers, as well as six assists from five different players. Forward Omar Cummings leads the team with two goals on 16 shots while defender Kosuke Kimura leads with two assists. Colorado has been strong offensively, accumulating 18 shots in a 2-0 win over Chicago on April 1 and 17 shots in a 2-0 win over Columbus in their MLS opener on March 10. Goalkeeper Matt Pickens has been strong so far with two clean sheets and 18 saves, including a season-high five stops against Columbus.

Veteran Jeff Larentowitz, the team's 2011 MVP, will present yet another challenge for Seattle's defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso. The seven-year MLS veteran has 20 goals and 11 assists in his career, including 11 goals in the past two seasons with the Rapids. New Colombian midfielder Jaime Castrillon has a goal and an assist, and has started all five games so far in 2012. The team will be without striker Conor Casey, who is still recovering from an Achilles injury.

Sueño MLS 2012 in Seattle on April 21-22

Hundreds of aspiring young soccer players from across the United States have already signed up for Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate, the premier nationally televised search for the best undiscovered soccer talent in America, which this year will include tryouts April 14-29 at FC Dallas, Seattle Sounders FC and CD Chivas USA (see calendar below).

Though most spots have been filled, players are being urged to continue registering for the three tryouts by visiting www.SuenoMLS.com. Once all the slots are filled, players will be able to register on the waiting list. The first ever winner, Chivas USA standout Jorge Villafaña, was a waiting list winner when he won the inaugural edition in 2007.

The tryouts will be chronicled on Univision Network's "República Deportiva" (Sports Republic ), the highest-rated weekly sports entertainment show on Spanish-language television, which will follow the action in a unique "reality show within a show" format (airs Sundays at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT/12 p.m. PT). The program's co-host Felix Fernandez is scheduled to be on-site at select Sueño MLS events.

In each tryout city, field players will be battling for one of five invitations to a week-long trial with their respective youth development host club and a ticket to the exciting four-day "Final Event" which will be staged in the greater Los Angeles area and be hosted by MLS Argentine soccer legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The finals will include training sessions, scrimmages, guest celebrity scouts, and an opportunity to meet some of the League's biggest stars. The ultimate champion will be crowned on Sunday, May 13, live on "República Deportiva" (see calendar below for more information).

Returning to Sueño MLS for a second year is the Allstate "Good Hands©" top goalkeeper award - El Portero Allstate. One goalkeeper at each of the three local tryouts will be selected as the top goalkeeper and will also compete in the "Final Event" for the opportunity to be named El Portero Allstate and train with a MLS youth team. El Portero Allstate will be selected in conjunction with the winner of the Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate, and mentored by Mexican goalkeeping legend Adolfo Rios.

Since its inception in 2007, Sueño MLS has given thousands of talented young athletes a chance to showcase their skills and impress youth development scouts. The original winner, Villafaña (formerly Jorge Flores) of Anaheim, Calif., is now in his sixth year with MLS' Chivas USA. The 2008 FC Dallas Sueño MLS winner, Gabriel Funes Mori, played with the FC Dallas Juniors U-18 team before moving on to Argentina's legendary side River Plate, where he plays alongside his twin brother Jose, a Dallas Sueño MLS finalist that same year.

MLS partners participating in Sueño MLS 2012- presented by Allstate, also include adidas, Degree Men, Gatorade, Pepsi and Volkswagen.

2012 TIMELINE

April 14-15 Local market tryouts (FC Dallas)

April 21-22 Local market tryouts (Seattle Sounders FC)

April 28-29 Local market tryouts (Chivas USA)

May 9-13 National Finals in Los Angeles

May 13 Announcement of winner on República Deportiva

PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY :

Eligible players must be males between the ages of 14 and 18 years old (born between dates of April 13, 1998 and May 14, 1994) with appropriate identification and retain their amateur status. Current collegiate student athletes will not be permitted to attend the final event in Carson, CA. Sueño MLS participants will be responsible for all personal expenses associated with the local market tryout, including travel to local tryouts, lodging, food, soccer equipment (shoes, training gear, etc.), etc. Program sponsors will cover all expenses for eighteen (18) participants selected to attend the final event in Carson, CA. For more information, please visit www.SueñoMLS.com. Participation in the event is free. Players may not register for more than one city.

Seattle Sounders FC 0 at D.C. United 0 - April 7, 2012

Sounders FC (2-1-1, 7 points) earned a point in its first road match of the season after playing D.C. United (1-2-2, 5 points) to a scoreless draw on Saturday night in front of 15,651 at RFK Stadium.

Former D.C. United defender Marc Burch nearly gave Seattle the game-winner in stoppage time when his header hit the crossbar.

Osvaldo Alonso dribbled up the middle of the pitch in the 93rd minute and blasted a shot from the top of the box that was knocked away by United keeper Joe Willis. The ball bounced to Burch who headed the ball off the crossbar. Burch, who had entered the match just moments earlier, spent the last five seasons playing for D.C. United.

Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning tied his season-high with four saves and earned his second shutout of the season. In the 51st minute, he punched a header over crossbar, then rose up and punched the ensuing corner kick clear. In the 69th he dove to knock away a strong free-kick from Nick DeLeon.

Fredy Montero created some space in the 22nd minute and rifled a ball from the top of the box right to the chest of Willis.

United immediately responded with a chance of their own in the 23rd when Hamdi Salihi got a left-footed shot off a cross from Nick DeLeon, but it just missed the frame.

David Estrada made a run up the middle in the 32nd minute and led Alvaro Fernandez up the left side into the box, but his shot missed outside the far post.

Two minutes later in the 34th, Estrada blasted a volley from the top of the box that went right to Montero, but the Colombian striker's header rolled wide of the far post.

D.C. had a chance to take the lead in the 74th minute when Chris Pontius got an open look in the box after a nice back-heel pass from Maicon Santos, but his shot went wide.

Eddie Johnson made his Sounders FC MLS debut when he came on for Estrada in the 66th minute. On the first play after coming in, Johnson won a header on a cross from Zach Scott, but the attempt went wide.

Cascadia Rivalry: Reserves Host Timbers on Tuesday

Sounders FC Reserves kick off the home season on Tuesday evening as they welcome Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers to town. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Starfire Stadium. There will be a live audio stream of the match on SoundersFC.com with the Voice of Sounders FC Ross Fletcher on the call.

The match is the first of five MLS Reserve League home games for Sounders FC, who opened the season with a 1-1 draw at Vancouver on April 2. Last year, Seattle finished first in the Western Conference, posting an 8-1-1 record.

There is no charge for admission at Sounders FC Reserves home matches. However donations will be accepted at the gate ($5 suggested) with proceeds directed toward the Sounders FC community partners. Parking is $5 or free with a Starfire membership.

Throw-ins

Roger Levesque will meet fans for photos and autographs at the Safeway in Federal Way on Thursday, April 12 from 5-6 p.m. Patrick Ianni will be at the Safeway in Kirkland on Thursday, April 19 from 5-6 p.m. Visit SoundersFC.com for more information...Saturday marked just the fifth time in club history that Sounders FC went scoreless in consecutive matches. Only once last season did Seattle go scoreless in back-to-back contests (first two matches of season)...Sounders FC is approaching 100 regular season MLS games (currently 98)...Last Saturday marked Jeff Parke's 50th regular season appearance for Sounders FC...Eddie Johnson is currently seventh among active players with eight goals in the month of April...The Sounders FC U-23's will play its first preseason match on Sunday, April 15 against Gonzaga University.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 9, 2012


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