MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on April 30, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Sounders FC Returns Home to Host L.A. Galaxy, Philadelphia Union

Riding the best start in franchise history, Sounders FC returns to the Pacific Northwest for its first two-game week of the Major League Soccer season. Seattle hosts the L.A. Galaxy on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. and the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Wednesday's match will be televised live on KONG 6/16 with Ross Fletcher and Kasey Keller on the call, and can also be seen in Spanish on KOMO2. Saturday's match will be nationally televised on NBC Sports Network with Arlo White and Kyle Martino calling the action. Both matches can also be heard on 97.3 KIRO FM and in Spanish on La Gran D 99.3 FM.

Sounders FC (4-1-1, 13 points) started the busiest stretch in club history by capturing another three points on the road. The 2-1 win over Chicago marked the club's 100th MLS regular season match, and the club extended its MLS-best road unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1).

The win was highlighted by the game-winning goal by striker Eddie Johnson - his first in Rave Green - as Seattle continued its dominant play against Chicago, improving to 5-0-3 versus the Fire in all competitions.

Seattle also continued its stellar start to the 2012 campaign, surpassing the club's previous best start of 12 points through the first six games in the inaugural season.

For the second consecutive season, Seattle went unbeaten (2-0-1) in the month of April, and have now gone unbeaten (5-0-3) in its past eight April outings.

Wednesday's match will mark the second of five in a 15-day period and, with seven league contests before the end of May, Sounders FC looks to pile up the points. The Rave Green have averaged 2.17 points per match, ranking third overall behind Sporting Kansas City (2.63) and San Jose Earthquakes (2.38). Despite playing the fewest games in MLS, Sounders FC sits fourth in the West and tied-sixth overall.

Seattle is unbeaten over its past three matches and will look to win its third straight this Wednesday against the Galaxy. Los Angeles (3-3-1, 10 points) is currently seventh in the Western Conference and unbeaten over its past three matches (2-0-1).

Sounders FC is 1-3-2 versus the Galaxy in league play, and hope to capture its first win in the series since 2009 as well as its first home victory against L.A.

The busy week continues on Saturday as Sounders FC welcomes the Philadelphia Union (2-4-1, 7 points) to the Emerald City. Seattle is 3-0-1 against Eastern Conference opponents this season but has defeated the Union just once in four meetings (1-2-1).

The kickoff time for Saturday's game versus Philadelphia Union has been changed to 1:30 p.m. PT.

Sounders FC has another two games next week as the Rave Green visit FC Dallas on Wednesday, May 9 before returning home to host Real Salt Lake on Saturday, May 12 on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

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)

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

Saturday, May 5, 1:30 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

Saturday, May 12, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake, Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field

Saturday, May 19, 2 p.m. - Sounders FC at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, BC Place, Vancouver, B.C.

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

Friday, June 1, 6 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, Wash.

Monday, August 6, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, Wash.

Sounders FC Training Schedule (times are Pacific & subject to change)

Tuesday, May 1 - 10 a.m. Training at Starfire

Thursday, May 3 - 11 a.m. Training at Starfire

Friday, May 4 - 10 a.m. Training at Starfire

Sunday, May 6 - No Training

Going Streaking: Unbeaten Runs Galore

The young season has brought great success thus far for Sounders FC, and the win over Chicago last Saturday extended several impressive streaks.

* Overall: unbeaten in its past three (2-0-1) outings, including two consecutive wins

* On the Road: MLS-best seven games (6-0-1) unbeaten on the road

* In April: unbeaten in its past eight (5-0-3) April outings

* Against the Fire: unbeaten all-time (5-0-3) versus Chicago Fire

* Scoring First: unbeaten in past 17 matches (14-0-3) when scoring first, dating back to October 23, 2010, including 11 straight wins

May Opportunities: Seven MLS Matches before End of Month

Sounders FC will play seven MLS matches in May, the most league matches in a single month in club history. Add last Saturday's match at Chicago and an Open Cup fixture at the end of the month and Seattle will play nine games in a 32-day stretch, the second such stretch in club history (7-1-1 in August 2011). The congested May schedule features home matches against West foes L.A. Galaxy and Real Salt Lake as well as the first Cascadia derby match of the season at Vancouver. It is also just the third time that Seattle will play eight games in a single month (August 2011 and September 2010).

Two-Point Club: Sounders FC Third Overall in Points per Match

Seattle is in exclusive company as one of just three teams to average at least two points per match, collecting an average of 2.166 points per match. Sounders FC has taken 13 points through the first six matches, marking the best start in club history (previously 12 points through the first six matches in 2009). Sporting Kansas City (2.625) and the San Jose Earthquakes (2.375) are the only other teams to earn two points per match. Last year - Seattle's best regular season - the team averaged 1.85 points per match, finishing second overall in the MLS standings. The club is well ahead of its 2011 pace, reaching the 13-point mark in four fewer games.

One More Down: Seattle Wins Another Season Series

With the unbalanced schedule in 2012, Sounders FC has already won three season series against Eastern Conference opponents. Seattle has won the season series with Toronto FC, Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire, and has tied the series with D.C. United. Seattle also has a one goal lead in the series with Colorado, and is one goal down against San Jose. Seattle will open two more season series this week, and could win a fourth series by defeating Philadelphia on Saturday.

EJ Strikes: Johnson's First a Game-winner

Eddie Johnson opened his Sounders FC account last Saturday with the second-half winner versus Chicago. The U.S. international tapped in the rebound following a dangerous free kick from Fredy Montero just minutes after he hit the post on a header. With the goal, Johnson has now scored seven goals in 13 career matches against the Fire. He has 42 goals in MLS play, the most of any Sounders FC player, with his last league goal coming over four years ago (September 15, 2007) while he was playing for Kansas City.

Top 100: Seattle Hits Century Mark in Style

With a win in its 100th MLS regular season match, Sounders FC has continued to cement itself atop the landscape of soccer in America. Seattle is 48-25-27 (171 points) through its first 100 games, which is the second-most points of any expansion club through its first 100 matches (Chicago Fire - 178 points). The Rave Green have continued to set the standard for MLS expansion clubs, becoming the first expansion side to qualify for the playoffs in its first three seasons as well as winning the U.S. Open Cup championship all three years. Seattle has allowed just 104 goals, the second-fewest in a club's first 100 games. And the 141 goals scored since 2009 is the third-most in MLS. The Sounders FC faithful have also set a new mark for success in MLS, setting the average attendance record each season with 54 consecutive sellouts.

In the Nets: Gspurning Holds Strong between the Posts

Austrian keeper Michael Gspurning has been strong in Seattle's nets this season. He has allowed just three goals (fewest in MLS) for the league's second-best goals against average (0.50). Gspurning held a clean sheet last weekend until Marco Pappa's 89th minute Olimpico, and held off a late surge by Chicago in stoppage time. He has allowed just one goal from the run of play, and Ryan Johnson's strike won Goal of the Week. The three goals allowed through the first six games matches Seattle's previous best start in 2009. Gspurning, along with Osvaldo Alonso, has played every minute this season.

On the Mend: Several Players Nearing Full Strength

Last Saturday marked the return of two key players as Mauro Rosales (knee sprain) and Adam Johansson (hamstring strain) both started. Rosales played 51 minutes and Johansson went the full 90. Midfielder Alvaro Fernandez has continued to recover from a quad strain and midfielder Steve Zakuani has been in full training. Rookie defender Andrew Duran seems to be fully recovered from knee surgery.

Seattle has used a different lineup in all six contests this season, and head coach Sigi Schmid has used a league-high 19 starters (tied with D.C. United). Last season, Seattle started 23 different players in MLS play and 31 players in all competitions. The only player who did not start a match last season was backup keeper Josh Ford.

Road Warriors: Seattle Continues MLS-best Road Unbeaten Streak

The top road team in 2011 has continued the trend as Seattle currently holds the longest regular season road unbeaten streak in MLS at 6-0-1. The trip to Chicago marked the second road trip of the season, and the first road win in 2012. 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.

Kickoff Time Change for May 5 Home Game

The Seattle Sounders FC announced that the team's kickoff time for the May 5 match against Philadelphia Union has been moved to 1:30 p.m. PT. The game on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field will be aired live on NBCSN. Gates will still open at 11:30 a.m.

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

Galaxy Series Notes

Sounders FC hosts defending MLS Cup champions L.A. Galaxy on Wednesday evening on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. The Rave Green look to beat the Galaxy on its home turf for the first time in league play.

Seattle has struggled against the Galaxy, going 1-3-2 all-time in MLS. In the previous meeting, Sounders FC held the Galaxy scoreless in a draw on July 4, 2011. Despite not winning in the past four (0-3-1) meetings, Seattle allowed just one Galaxy goal last season, and seven of L.A.'s nine goals in the series were scored in 2010. Landon Donovan has scored one goal with four assists (all in the 2010 season) and Juninho has added two goals.

Seattle and Los Angeles have also met several times outside of regular season competition. The two Western Conference foes met in the first round of the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs as Seattle fell 3-1 over the two legs. The sides also met twice in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals with Seattle winning both meetings, 2-0 in the 2010 and 3-1 in 2011.

L.A. Notables

Coach Bruce Arena's 4-4-2 is headlined by forwards Robbie Keane and Edson Buddle, as well as midfielders Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Juninho and Mike Magee-all six of whom have recorded at least one point this season. Keane leads the way with three goals and two assists despite failing to score a goal in the month of April, and has played every minute this season. Buddle (one goal, one assist) scored 17 goals for the Galaxy in 2010 before leaving to play for FC Ingolstadt 04 of Germany's second division in 2011. Donovan (two goals, two assists) and Beckham (one goal, two assists) have continued to make plays for the defending Supporter's Shield and MLS Cup Champions.

Former Sounders FC forward Pat Noonan's stoppage time equalizer against FC Dallas salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Galaxy on Saturday night. It was Noonan's first goal of the season. Bruce Arena's 131 career MLS wins are second only to Seattle's Sigi Schmid (161).

Union Series Notes

Sounders FC takes on Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon. The match will be the second day game of the season, and Sounders FC welcomes NBC Sports to the Emerald City for the second time. It will be Seattle's sixth home match out of the first eight contests, and the fifth against an Eastern Conference opponent. Seattle is 3-0-1 against the East so far this season.

Sounders FC holds a 1-2-1 all-time mark against Philadelphia after drawing on the road and losing at home in 2011. Seattle secured the road draw with a late equalizer from Alvaro Fernandez but dropped the home leg, 2-0. The Rave Green's lone win in the series came at home in Philadelphia's inaugural match, a 2-0 win on March 25, 2010. The Union have outscored Sounders FC, 6-4, with three of Seattle's four goals coming in the first 45 minutes. Fredy Montero has either scored (one) or assisted (three) on every Sounders FC goal in the series.

Seattle defender Jeff Parke is from Downingtown, Penn., 37 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, and attended Drexel University. Michael Seamon, Seattle's No. 2 draft pick in 2010, grew up in Rahway, N.J., an hour's drive away and he graduated from Villanova. Union's Danny Mwanga attended Oregon State University (2008-09). Mwanga and Seattle winger Steve Zakuani were both born in Kinshasa, Congo DR, and are former No. 1 overall draft picks.

Philadelphia Notables

Coach Peter Nowak's attack has produced just five goals (tied for the second-fewest in MLS) and two assists (fewest in MLS) this season through seven games. Panamanian midfielder Gabriel Gomez, in his first MLS season, has scored three of the five goals, including two in the last three matches. Fredy Adu and Lionard Pajoy are the only other Union players to score a goal this season. Roger Torres and Danny Mwanga are the only players to record an assist.

Philadelphia goalkeeper Zac MacMath had a 409-minute shutout streak snapped by San Jose forward Steven Lenhart last Saturday. The second-year keeper out of the University of Maryland has three shutouts and a 1.14 goals against average in 2012.

Sounders FC name six prospects that will represent club at national "Final Event" of Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate

Major League Soccer and Seattle Sounders FC announced today the names of five talented young field players and one "Good Hands©" top goalkeeper - El Portero Allstate finalist who will represent the club at the national "Final Event" of Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate. The nationally-televised player search is showcased on República Deportiva, the popular Univision weekly Spanish-language sports show that chronicles the tryouts in a "reality show within a show" format.

The six Seattle Sounders FC Finalists are:

Name Position Age Hometown

Herbert Cojulun Forward 17 Casey, SC

Ivan Marmolejo Forward 17 Orondo, WA

Luis Alvaro Osornio Forward 17 Federal Way, WA

Hector Palos Goalkeeper 17 Philadelphia, PA

Jose Ramos Midfielder 15 Tacoma, WA

Giovanny Soto Forward 15 Wenatchee, WA

The six Seattle finalists, whose personal stories were featured on República Deportiva this past Sunday, fought their way past more than 400 competitors in an open tryout to earn a week-long trial with the Seattle Sounders FC Academy and a trip to the "Final Event" in Southern California, where they will be joined by the FC Dallas finalists announced last week (names below) and Chivas USA finalists yet to be selected.

The exciting four-day "Final Event" in Carson, California will 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.

About the Seattle Finalists:

Herbert Cojulun (Forward - 17 years old - Casey, SC)

South Carolina resident and Guatemala native, Helbert Cojulun, crossed the continent to showcase his skills at Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate the morning after his prom. "I did my best running on no sleep and lots of adrenaline," he said. The effort paid off for the Brookland-Caycee High School junior scoring machine when the Seattle scouts picked him to represent the club at the national "Final Event." He lists DC United among his favorite teams and loves Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.

Ivan Marmolejo (Forward - 17 years old - Orondo, WA)

Ivan Marmolejo is a talented Mexican-born forward with the ability to hold the ball. He lists Seattle Sounders FC as one of his favorite clubs and star forward Fredy Montero (whom he met during the tryouts) as one of his idols. He hopes to be the first person in his family to become a professional athlete.

Luis Alvaro Osornio (Forward - 17 years old - Federal Way, WA)

Mexican-born Luis Alvaro Osornio showed his resiliency when he elected to play through the pain of a knee injury sustained on the first day of competition. After a lackluster morning tryout on day one, he asked his parents to take him back to the fields, where he got a second chance and impressed the scouts. A speedy forward with the ability to play in the wings, the Thomas Jefferson High School soccer standout takes pride in his work ethic. He got the call that he made it to the second round of Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate while food shopping with his family in the evening at a local supermarket. "We celebrated in the cereal aisle," he said.

Hector Palos (Goalkeeper - 17 years old - Philadelphia, PA) Local Seattle finalist of Allstate "Good Hands©" top goalkeeper award - El Portero Allstate

Hector Palos is a Sueño MLS veteran, having reached the second round of the 2011 Philadelphia trials. The Great Valley High School star was determined to make the long trip to Seattle to prove that he is one of the best young goalkeepers in the country. Due to the cancellation of his original outbound flight, he needed to make connections in Houston and Las Vegas to make it on time for the trials. According to the scouts, Palos is a courageous player who is quick, anticipates well, and has good technique with sure hands. Born in Mexico, he lists the LA Galaxy and Real Madrid as his favorite clubs and Iker Casillas as his idol.

Jose Ramos (Midfielder - 15 years old - Tacoma, WA)

It's not surprising that young playmaker Jose Ramos lists players like Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta as his favorites. Jose tried out for the Olympic Development Program and made the team at age 12. Seattle Sounders FC is one of his favorite teams.

Giovanny Soto (Forward - 15 years old - Wenatchee, WA)

Born in Los Angeles, Giovanny Soto has a great vision for the game which compliments his creative style. He lists Seattle Sounders FC and Real Madrid as his favorite teams and Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar as his soccer role models. He left his home with his parents at 2 a.m. for the long drive to Seattle and his efforts paid off.

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

The six FC Dallas Finalists already qualified are:

Name Position Age Hometown

Livan Aguirre Goalkeeper 14 Brownsville, TX

Jose Hernandez Forward 16 Dallas, TX

Pedro Ocampo Midfielder 17 Sterling, IL

Jose Romero Forward 17 Athens, TX

Tony Santibanez Forward 17 Plano, TX

Alfredo Vasquez Midfielder 17 Athens, TX

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.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate©" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate©. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

Recap: Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Chicago Fire 1 - April 28, 2012

Eddie Johnson scored his first goal for Sounders FC in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Sounders FC has now won two straight and extends its league-best road unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1).

In the 39th minute, Seattle went up 1-0 on an own goal. Johnson fed David Estrada on the left side of the box 15 yards out, and Estrada crossed a ball that deflected off Fire defender Arne Friedrich and rolled inside the near post.

In the 67th minute, Johnson made it 2-0 off the rebound of a Fredy Montero free kick. After Montero's attempt was tap-saved by Chicago keeper Sean Johnson, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado flicked the ball to the feet of Johnson and the first-year Sounder finished into the back of the net.

It was the first goal for Johnson since rejoining MLS at the beginning of the 2012 season. In his career, he has seven goals and two assists in 13 career games against the Fire.

Hurtado's assist marks the center back's first of 2012.

Chicago got on the board in the 89th minute when Marco Pappa kept a narrow corner kick close to the end line and bent it inside the far post. The goal ended what was an MLS-best 335-minute shutout streak.

The Fire pressed hard in stoppage time, but were unable to convert. They came close in the 93rd minute when Jalil Anibaba had an open shot at the goal, but Michael Gspurning made the save.

Mauro Rosales and Adam Johansson each made their first start since Seattle's first game on March 17. Rosales was subbed for Marc Burch in the 51st minute.

Chicago had multiple chances to get on the board early. In the 13th minute, Patrick Nyarko led Dominic Oduro into the box on the right side, but Oduro's shot was saved by Gspurning. A minute later, Daniel Paladini had a wide open shot from the left side of the box, but a diving Osvaldo Alonso blocked the ball with his face.

In the 63rd minute, an apparent equalizing goal by Marco Pappa was called off due to offside.

Throw-ins

Sounders FC will participate in the GiveBIG Campaign this Wednesday, May 2. The Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG campaign is a one-day, online charitable giving event to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations who make our region a healthier and more vital place to live. Visit www.SeattleFoundation.org for more information...Fredy Montero will meet fans at the grand opening of Top Pot Bellevue Square on Thursday, May 3 from 3-4:30 p.m....Michael Gspurning turns 31 on May 2... Seattle has lost just once (12-1-5) in Brad Evans' last 18 appearances, and the club is 30-14-20 overall when he plays...Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of Kasey Keller's landmark first start for Millwall (May 2, 1992). Keller was the first player to play in Europe on an American passport...Monterrey beat Santos Laguna, 3-2 on aggregate, to win its second consecutive CONCACAF Champions League title. Monterrey will represent the CONCACAF region at the Club World Cup.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 30, 2012


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