MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on June 11, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Sounders FC Returns to Action on Saturday at Montreal

A three-week break from MLS play ends this week as Seattle Sounders FC returns to action against the expansion Montreal Impact. The Rave Green will play the inaugural match in the Impact's new home, Stade Saputo, on Saturday evening. First kick is set for 4:30 p.m. PT.

The match will be televised live on KONG 6/16 with Ross Fletcher and Kasey Keller on the call, and can also be heard on 97.3 KIRO FM. The game will also be broadcast in Spanish on KOMO2 and La Gran D 99.3 FM.

Despite the lull in league play, Sounders FC kept plenty busy with two U.S. Open Cup contests. Seattle kicked off its run for a record fourth consecutive title with a 5-1 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks in the third round followed by a 5-0 victory over Cal FC in the fourth round.

The reigning Open Cup champions will take to the road for the quarterfinals as Sounders FC visits the San Jose Earthquakes on June 26.

The return to MLS action brings a hefty travel schedule as Seattle will play six of its next eight on the road - seven of nine including Open Cup - with the three longest trips in league play this year (Montreal, New England and New York). Overall, Seattle will travel nearly 20,000 miles over the next six weeks, including 11,202 miles before the end of June.

The road trips are welcomed by a Sounders FC squad that has excelled away from home over its first three-plus seasons. Seattle is 22-14-16 all-time on the road, and currently holds the league's longest road unbeaten streak at 10 games (7-0-3), just two shy of tying the MLS record.

Sounders FC will look to extend that streak come Saturday at the newly renovated Stade Saputo. It will be the second time that Sounders FC will play the inaugural match at an MLS stadium as Seattle opened Philadelphia's PPL Park in 2010.

The expansion Impact (3-7-3, 12 points) are currently eighth in the East and have dropped back-to-back games after going unbeaten in four straight (2-0-2). The Montreal roster features several familiar faces, including former Sounders Miguel Montano, Lamar Neagle, Sanna Nyassi and Tyson Wahl.

Sounders FC will continue its stretch of seven games in 22 days when the tem returns home for a midweek game on Wednesday, June 20 against Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. The Rave Green will then head to Portland for its second Cascadia Cup fixture of the season as they take on the rival Timbers on Sunday, June 24.

Sounders Fast Facts

* David Estrada is the only Sounders FC player to appear in all 17 games this season. He is tied-seventh in MLS with five goals.

* Fredy Montero leads MLS with 65 total shots and is tied-first with 23 shots on goal. He also leads the league in fouls suffered (34).

* Michael Gspurning (0.46) and Bryan Meredith (0.92) rank first and fourth in goals against average, respectively. Seattle is the only team that has allowed under 10 goals.

* Seattle has scored 11 of its 16 goals in the second-half, including seven in the final half-hour. In 2011, Sounders FC scored 15 goals in the final 15 minutes - far and away the league leader - and 26 goals in the final half-hour.

* Seattle has had two comeback results this season. The Rave Green led MLS last season with a 7-7-3 record when conceding first.

* Sounders FC has not lost back-to-back games since July 30, 2011. Seattle is 7-0-3 in that span, and 18-10-10 overall when coming off a loss in all competitions. It has been 447 days since Seattle last lost back-to-back games (March 19, 2011), which is the longest current streak by any MLS team and second-longest in league history (San Jose - 1,302 total days from 2004-08).

Road Warriors

The league's top road team will have the opportunity provide further evidence of their road dominance as six of the next eight MLS matches are on the road, including four of the next five. Seattle will also play away from home in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal, totaling just two home games until August. Three of the longest trips of the season are coming up with visits to Montreal (2,287 miles), New England (2,489) and New York (2,403). Overall, Seattle could travel 19,454 miles, assuming all flights are round trips from Seattle.

Sounders FC holds the league's longest active road undefeated streak at 10 games (7-0-3), dating back to July 30, 2011. The run is the second-longest in league history, just two shy of FC Dallas' run of 12 games unbeaten on the road in 2010. Seattle went 9-3-5 away from home in 2011 - the best road record in MLS - for the fourth-best road winning percentage in league history (.676). Seattle has earned the second-most points (82) on the road since 2009, just one fewer than the league-leading L.A. Galaxy (83).

Expansion Success

Sounders FC set the standard for MLS expansion sides when the club entered the league in 2009. In its three years, Seattle has set the league attendance record each season, became the only expansion franchise to qualify for the playoffs in each of its first three seasons, and became the first MLS club to win three consecutive U.S. Open Cup titles.

The league has since welcomed four new teams: Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact. Seattle is undefeated (1-0-2) in its first match against the expansion teams, and has lost just once in six outings against expansion sides in their inaugural campaign, including three wins.

Stadium Stories

As Seattle prepares for the inaugural game at Montreal's Stade Saputo, the team will be able to draw from past experiences in front of raucous crowds. Alongside playing in front of more than 38,000 fans at CenturyLink Field, Sounders FC has also played in front of boisterous supporters on the road. Once before did Seattle play the inaugural game in an MLS stadium when the Rave Green fell 3-1 to the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park on June 27, 2010. Several other memorable games have come in opposing venues, including snapping Real Salt Lake's (29 games) and Columbus Crew's (22 games) record home unbeaten streaks. Last season, Sounders FC became the first visiting club to win at the brand new LIVESTRONG Sporting Park when two stoppage time goals lifted Seattle to a 2-1 victory. Sounders FC also beat Vancouver, 3-1, in the final match at Empire Field on September 24, 2011.

Fredy First to 100

Fredy Montero has played 99 MLS regular season games for Sounders FC, and if the young Colombian steps onto the pitch at Montreal he will become the first player to appear in 100 matches for Seattle. Montero is two league goals from hitting the 40 mark, and he currently has 49 goals in all competitions. The next-closest Sounders FC player to 100 regular season appearances is Osvaldo Alonso (94).

High Strike Rate

Scoring goals always makes the game more fun, and the start to the 2012 U.S. Open Cup provided Seattle with several entertaining moments. Sounders FC scored 10 goals through the first two Open Cup contests - the most goals ever scored by Seattle over two games in all competitions. In the first match the attack scored all five goals in just 22 minutes, only to surpass that mark a week later by netting five tallies in just 20 minutes, setting a club record for quickest five goals scored. The match against Cal FC also marked the first time Seattle scored five goals in a single half, and the five-goal margin of victory was the greatest in all competitions (previously four in MLS play). The fourth-round match also marked the first time two Sounders FC players scored multiple goals in a single game.

Next Step: San Jose

Up next for Sounders FC is an Open Cup quarterfinal date with West foes San Jose Earthquakes. The match is slated for Tuesday, June 26 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. It will be the first time that Seattle and San Jose will meet in the Open Cup as MLS sides. The furthest that San Jose has gone in the tournament is the semifinals in 2004. The matchup is the only quarterfinal that features two MLS sides.

The Earthquakes defeated the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL), 2-1, in the third-round and downed the Minnesota Stars FC (NASL), 1-0, in the fourth-round. San Jose was the home team in both matches.

On the Mend

Several Sounders FC players used the break in action to recover from injuries, and coach Sigi Schmid hopes to have a near full arsenal of weapons as league play resumes. Defenders Adam Johansson (hamstring strain) and Patrick Ianni (lower back pain) have continued to improve and Leo Gonzalez (quad strain) participated in full training for the first time Monday. Midfielders Mauro Rosales and Alvaro Fernandez were also back in the fold, going full-out for Monday's training session. Steve Zakuani, who played a spirited 45 minutes in the MLS Reserve League on June 1, has continued to participate in full training.

Series Notes

Saturday's match will mark the first MLS meeting between the two sides but Seattle and Montreal have plenty of history. The Sounders faced the Impact a number of times at the USL and NASL levels. Most notably, Seattle lost to Montreal, 2-0, on September 18, 2004 in the USL finals. A year later, the Sounders advanced past Montreal in a two-leg semifinal series. The two sides drew, 2-2, in the first leg in Seattle (September 23, 2005) and won, 2-1, in the second leg in Montreal two days later on a 90th minute game-winner from Roger Levesque. The Sounders went on to win the USL championships that year, beating Richmond on penalties. The last time the Sounders were represented in the USL was September 28, 2008 in a 3-1 loss at Montreal. Seattle's lone goal scorer was Levesque.

About Montreal

The Impact currently sit eighth in the Eastern conference with 12 points (3-7-3), but have had success at home, going 2-1-2 in Montreal this season. Their results have been streaky-starting the year 0-4-1, then going on a 3-1-1 run before going winless in their last three. Twelve different players have contributed to 15 goals and 12 assists this season. Montreal is second to Seattle in attendance this season, averaging 36,498 per game.

Impact Notables

Coach Jesse Marsch's attack is led by Italian striker Bernardo Corradi, whose four goals and one assist this season have all been scored in the last five outings, dating back to April 14. Midfielders Davy Arnaud (two goals, one assist) and Felipe Martins (one goal, two assists) have played in all 13 games this season, while Patrice Bernier has scored in consecutive games to go along with one assist in seven appearances. Sinisa Ubiparipovic and the first pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft Andrew Wenger have scored two goals each in just 250 and 186 minutes, respectively.

Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts mans the nets for Montreal in his first MLS season without the LA Galaxy. The 6'4" veteran keeper has a career 1.02 goals against average in MLS (83 games, 83 goals allowed).

Lamar Neagle is tied for the team-lead with two assists. Sanna Nyassi has a goal and an assist in nine starts and Tyson Wahl has played every minute of his 10 starts, and Miguel Montano earned his first MLS start May 19 against New York.

The Montreal Connection

The Montreal roster includes several former Sounders FC players. Colombian midfielder Miguel Montano spent two seasons with Seattle before joining the Impact in the off-season. Federal Way native Lamar Neagle also joined Montreal in the off-season after spending two seasons with Sounders FC. Neagle scored five goals with two assists in 23 appearances for Seattle last season. Gambian midfielder Sanna Nyassi also plays for the Impact. Nyassi spent two seasons with Seattle, scoring two goals with three assists in 38 matches. He spent the 2011 season with the Colorado Rapids before joining Montreal in the off-season. Defender Tyson Wahl spent three seasons with Seattle, including a career-high 23 appearances in 2011. Defender Josh Gardner played for the USL Sounders from 2007-08. Montreal goalkeeper coach Preston Burpo was the goalkeeper for the USL Sounders from 1997-2005. Seattle keeper Andrew Weber played for the USL Impact from 2006-08.

Sounders FC Draws Marathon, Caribbean Champion in 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League

Seattle Sounders FC will face CD Marathon of Honduras and the Caribbean champion in the Group Stage of the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League. The groups were determined by a draw held Tuesday at the CONCACAF offices in New York.

The dates and kickoff times for the Group Stage will be announced later.

The six-round Group Stage will begin on July 31 and conclude on October 25. Seattle is in group four. The winner of each group will advance to the knockout round.

The Group Stage will consist of eight groups of three teams each. The eight group winners will advance to the quarterfinal round where the quarterfinalists will be ranked 1-8 based on their results from the Group Stage and paired accordingly.

Seattle faced Marathon in the 2010-11 Champions League, winning 2-0 at home and losing 2-1 on the road.

The Caribbean championship will conclude on June 21. Four teams remain in the Caribbean Club Champions Cup, the Puerto Rico Islanders, Antigua Barracuda FC and W Connection and Caledonia AIA of Trinidad, from which three will qualify for the Champions League. The winner of the cup will enter group four.

Sounders FC has participated in the Champions League the past two years, and advanced to the quarterfinals in the 2011-12 tournament.

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

Sounders FC Takes Two Players in Waiver Draft

The Seattle Sounders FC selected forward Dwayne Smith and defender Daniel Steres in the 2012 MLS Waiver Draft held last Wednesday.

Smith, 24, was picked by the New England Revolution third overall in the 2012 Supplemental Draft out of Bethel University. Steres, 21, was picked by Chivas USA ninth in the second round (28th overall) of the 2012 Supplemental Draft out of San Diego State University.

Fan Voting Launches for 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game

Major League Soccer has launched fan voting for the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star game at www.MLSsoccer.com and via text messaging.

A panel of media members nominated a total of 114 players - the top six per team - to the fan ballot. CLICK HERE TO VOTE. Fans can also vote by sending a player's first and last name via text message to 22442. Twitter voting will occur June 21-22.

The players with the highest combined votes from these three voting methods will become the first 11 All-Stars - known as the All-Star First XI. The player who receives the most text votes by 5 p.m. ET on Monday, July 2 will automatically earn a spot among the All-Star First XI.

The six Sounders FC players on the ballot are goalkeeper Michael Gspurning, defender Jeff Parke, midfielders Osvaldo Alonso and Mauro Rosales, and forwards David Estrada and Fredy Montero.

All-Star Head Coach Peter Nowak of the Philadelphia Union will choose the gameday roster and the starting lineup against Chelsea FC on July 25. The first marquee MLS event ever to be held at PPL Park in Chester, Penn., will be broadcast live on ESPN2, TeleFutura, and in Canada on TSN and RDS starting at 8:30 p.m. ET

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

The 32 players named 2012 AT&T MLS All-Stars will be selected in four phases:

1) Ballot creation: A select media panel determined the field of players - six players per team - who are most deserving of consideration for this year's All-Star Game. Those 114 players are eligible for fan voting.

2) Fan voting: From June 8 at 12 p.m. ET through July 2 at 5 p.m. ET, fans will select the "First XI" All-Stars. Fans can vote via any of three digital platforms:

At MLSsoccer.com: Vote for your starting lineup of 11 players, beginning June 8. Via text message (SMS): Text an MLS player's first and last name to 22442. Each vote will count equally with those submitted online in determining the First XI. The player who receives the most text votes will automatically earn a spot among the First XI. Message and data rates may apply. Twitter: From June 21-22; full details of Twitter voting will be released on MLSsoccer.com in the near future.

The First XI will be announced on Sunday, July 8, on ESPN during halftime of the Chicago Fire-LA Galaxy game that begins at 3 p.m. ET.

3) Team selection: The MLS All-Star head coach will select the gameday roster from the pool of eligible players, consisting of the First XI as determined by the fans, MLS Commissioner Don Garber's two selections and players who received votes from at least two players.

The Commissioner selections and gameday roster will be announced on Sunday, July 15 on ESPN during halftime of the New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC game that begins at 4 p.m. ET.

4) Player selections: MLS players will determine the remainder of the 32 All-Stars named annually per the CBA (known as the "inactive roster").

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

Sounders FC and The UPS Store Team Up for Book Drive

Sounders FC fans are encouraged to make a monetary donation or bring new books for local less fortunate children, ages pre-school through high school, to the Sounders FC home match versus Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, June 20 to support 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 stationed at all gates to collect books and monetary donations. One-hundred percent of the books and funds collected at the match will benefit economically disadvantaged children in the greater Seattle area through the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

Sounders FC players including forward David Estrada, defender Patrick Ianni and midfielder Andy Rose shared their favorite books from childhood. The videos can be viewed on the team website.

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 the week leading up to the match, June 13 - 20.

"The thing I love most about the literacy program is that the funds we raise stay right here in our community to help disadvantaged children get the resources they need to succeed in life," said Jack Graham, The UPS Store franchise owner. "Knowing that only 33 percent of fourth graders still can't read at even the basic level really motivates me to help move this important cause forward."

Earlier this spring, The UPS Store network announced that it reached a milestone of raising more than $2 million since the program began in 2008.

As the first year-round initiative of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, the literacy program offers the nation's most economically disadvantaged children direct access to books and educational resources. This helps enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively, enabling them to compete academically and succeed in life. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, over 16 million children live in poverty.

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

About The UPS Store

With nearly 4,700 locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. © network comprises the world's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, printing and business service centers. In the U.S., The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a subsidiary of UPS(NYSE:UPS). In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P. Services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location.

For additional information visit www.theupsstore.com.

USOC Recap: Seattle Sounders FC 5 vs. Cal FC 0 - June 5, 2012

Osvaldo Alonso and Fredy Montero each scored a brace as Sounders FC defeated Cal FC, 5-0, in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. Andy Rose added a goal and an assist as Sounders FC secured a spot in the quarterfinals.

Seattle will play the San Jose Earthquakes in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, June 26. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. PT at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. The Earthquakes defeated the Minnesota Stars, 1-0 in fourth round.

After a scoreless first half, Seattle got on the board in the 50th minute when a Montero shot was blocked in the box by a defender's arm. Alonso stepped up and converted the penalty kick low and to the left past Cal FC keeper Derby Carillo.

Montero doubled the lead in the 58th minute. Cordell Cato made a run up the right side and sent a cross into the box to a streaking Montero, who finished inside the far post.

Cato has now recorded an assist in his first two starts for Sounders FC after he set up Alonso's goal against the Atlanta Silverbacks in the third round.

Rose scored in his second straight match when he knocked in the ball from six-yards out following a scrum in the box in the 66th minute.

Just two minutes later, Montero took a free kick from 20-yards out near the left sideline that bent around the defense and inside the far post.

With the brace, Montero is now tied with Nate Jaqua for the most Open Cup goals in club history with seven.

Alonso scored again just two minutes later when he blasted a shot from 30-yards out that dipped under the crossbar and over the outstretched arm of Carillo.

The match marked the first time that two Sounders FC players scored multiple goals in a game.

Individual Tickets for Sounders FC versus Chelsea Match on Sale Now

Individual match tickets for the Sounders FC versus European Champion Chelsea are on sale now. The friendly will be held on Wednesday, July 18 on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field and the first kick is scheduled for 6:30 PM. The match is part of the Sounders FC full 18-match season ticket package. The presenting partner for the Sounders FC international friendly match is AT&T and Samsung Mobile.

Tickets will be available through SoundersFC.com, all Ticketmaster Outlets, CenturyLink Field Box Office or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL.

Chelsea, winners of the 2012 FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, is an English Premier League powerhouse based in Fulham, London. Overall, Chelsea have been FA Cup winners seven times, League Cup winners four times, English champions four times, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winners twice and UEFA Champions League winners once.

A limited number of the 4-Match ticket packages are also available. The 4-Match ticket package includes the match versus Chelsea on July 18, in addition to matches versus the Los Angeles Galaxy on August 5, Vancouver Whitecaps on August 18 and Portland Timbers on October 7. In anticipation of the high demand for tickets, seating at CenturyLink Field will be expanded to include the upper bowl for all four matches.

Fans can also purchase single match tickets at the Downtown Pro Shop located at 410 Pike Street. There are no fees or surcharges associated with the ticket purchase. Fans who purchase tickets at the Downtown Pro Shop will receive a 10% discount on all regular-priced merchandise. The Downtown Pro Shop is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

For more information visit www.soundersfc.com

Sounders U23 Update

Sounders U23 swept their weekend doubleheader, defeating Washington Crossfire and the North Sound SeaWolves 2-0 and 3-0, respectively, to move into first place in the Northwest Division. Sounders FC Academy-product Sean Okoli scored a goal in each match as the U23's (5-1-3, 18 points) extended their unbeaten streak to six games.

Okoli got the Rave Green on the board early in Saturday's match against Crossfire. In the 8th minute, the Wake Forest Deamon Deacon took a bouncing ball at the top of the box, faced his defender, flicked the ball to himself, and took a shot that ricocheted off the post and into the goal. Fernando Monge headed in a goal in the 78th on a cross from Jamael Cox to complete the 2-0 result.

On Sunday, three first half goals paved the way for a 3-0 Sounders win in their first match against the Sea Wolves. In the third minute, Sean Morris smashed a 12-yard volley on a cross from Aodhan Quinn, and in the 21st Quinn added a score of his own. Okoli rounded out the scoring in the 40th minute when he got behind the defense on a long, bouncing pass and finished past the keeper.

Sounders U23 return to action Friday night when they face the Kitsap Pumas at Cheney Stadium. The Rave Green will look to avenge their only loss of the season as the Pumas (16 points) will attempt to vault into first place of the Northwest Division.

Throw-ins

Patrick Ianni turns 27 on Friday, June 15...Adam Johansson will meet fans and sign autographs the CenturyLink Field Pro Shop on Tuesday, June 12 from 6-7 p.m....Fans can meet Jeff Parke on Thursday, June 21 from 5-6 p.m. at the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union located inside the Safeway in Greenwood...David Estrada will be at the Pro Shop to sign autographs from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 21 from 6-7 p.m....Patrick Ianni will meet fans at the QFC in University Village from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 21...Osvaldo Alonso will sit out of the Montreal game as he serves the second of his two-game suspension.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 11, 2012


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