MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on August 26, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Sounders FC Visits Columbus Crew on Saturday

Riding the momentum of a historic night at CenturyLink Field, Seattle Sounders FC readies for its final Eastern Conference road trip of the season, visiting the Columbus Crew on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT at Crew Stadium.

Saturday's match will be televised locally on KONG 6/16 with Ross Fletcher and Kasey Keller on the call, and can be heard on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM. The Spanish broadcasts are available on KOMO2 and La Gran D 99.3 FM.

Sounders FC (11-8-4, 37 points) jumped to fifth in the West with Sunday's 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers. Eddie Johnson netted the game-winner, continuing his scoring tear against Seattle's rivals, as Sounders FC moved into the top spot for the 2013 Cascadia Cup.

The derby match marked the home debut of U.S. National Team captain Clint Dempsey as a record crowd of 67,385 packed CenturyLink Field - the second-largest attendance for a standalone game in league history and third-largest worldwide soccer attendance last weekend.

Seattle's recent run of form includes four wins in the past five outings, and has Sounders FC the hottest team in MLS since July 20. The club catapulted to third overall with 1.61 points, and still has at least two games in hand on every Western Conference opponent.

Saturday's match kicks off a stretch of three games in eight days for Sounders FC, and is Seattle's final road match until September 21 at the LA Galaxy.

The Columbus Crew (8-12-5, 29 points) lost 4-nil to Real Salt Lake last weekend, marking the fourth loss in the past six outings. The Crew attack features two of the league's top 10 goal scorers in Federico Higuain and Dominic Oduro.

Following Saturday's match, Sounders FC returns to the Pacific Northwest for three straight games on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. Seattle hosts Chivas USA on September 4, Chicago Fire on September 7 and Real Salt Lake on September 13.

Single-match tickets to Sounders FC home matches are available through SoundersFC.com, all Ticketmaster Outlets, the CenturyLink Field Box Office or by calling 800-745-3000.

Sounders FC Competition Schedule (all times Pacific; subject to change)

Saturday, August 31, 4:30 p.m. - Sounders FC at Columbus Crew

Wednesday, September 4, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Chivas USA

Saturday, September 7, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Chicago Fire

Friday, September 13, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake

Saturday, September 14, 12 p.m. - MLS Reserve League: Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake

Sounders FC Fast Facts

* 1.13 - Sounders FC ranks fifth in MLS with a 1.13 goals against average.

* 1.61 - Seattle's 1.61 points per game ranks third in MLS, and second in the Western Conference.

* 3 - Sounders FC will play three games in eight days, beginning Saturday at the Columbus Crew.

* 4 - Obafemi Martins has four game-winning goals (T-4th in MLS) and Mauro Rosales has four game-winning assists (T-3rd).

* 5 - Sounders FC sits in the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

* 6 - Seattle has won six season series: Chivas USA, Dallas, D.C. United, Kansas City, Portland and Toronto.

* 7 - With Sunday's win, Sounders FC reclaimed the top spot in the 2013 Cascadia Cup with seven points through four games.

* 8 - Sounders FC has scored the most goals (8) between the 16-30 minute marks.

* 11 - Sounders FC has amassed the fourth-most wins (11) in MLS this season. The team has allowed the fewest goals (11) in the second half, including just four goals allowed in the final half hour.

* 13 - Seattle and the Chicago Fire are the only teams to secure 13 points since July 20.

* 23 - Seattle has secured the second-highest point total (37) and most wins (11) through 23 games in MLS this season.

* 43 - Sounders FC is unbeaten in 43 straight games (35-0-8) when scoring first.

* 67,385 - Sunday night's attendance of 67,385 was the largest-ever for a soccer game in Seattle. It also marked the second-largest attendance in MLS history for a standalone match, and the third-largest worldwide last weekend.

Hottest Team in MLS since July 20

Seattle Sounders FC and the Chicago Fire are the hottest teams in MLS since July 20. Seattle has gone 4-1-1 in the six-game stretch, including four wins in the past five outings. Seattle and Chicago are the only sides to secure 13 points since July 20, and Seattle's plus-four goal differential is among the league's best.

Top Records Since July 20

Team GP PTS Record GD (GF/GA)

Sounders FC 6 13 4-1-1 4 (10/6)

Chicago Fire 6 13 4-1-1 4 (10/6)

New England 6 12 4-2-0 5 (11/6)

LA Galaxy 5 10 3-1-1 2 (10/8)

Montreal Impact 6 10 3-2-1 4 (10/6)

San Jose 5 10 3-1-1 2 (7/5)

On Pace through 23 Games

Sounders FC is on pace with the rest of the league through the opening 23 games of the 2013 season. Seattle has secured 37 points through 23 games, which is the second-highest total in MLS as four teams secured 38 points. Seattle's 11 wins at the 23-game mark matches Montreal, New York and Salt Lake for the most this season.

Seattle is also on pace with the output from the club's first four seasons. The 37 points through 23 games is the second-most in club history, bested only by the 2011 campaign, and the 11 wins set a new mark.

Top 10 Records through 23 Games - 2013

Team Record (points)

Montreal 11-7-5 (38 pts.)

New York 11-7-5 (38 pts.)

Portland 9-3-11 (38 pts.)

Salt Lake 11-7-5 (38 pts.)

Sounder FC 11-8-4 (37 pts.)

Houston 10-7-6 (36 pts.)

Kansas City 10-7-6 (36 pts.)

Vancouver 10-7-6 (36 pts.)

Colorado 9-7-7 (34 pts.)

Los Angeles 10-9-4 (34 pts.)

Philadelphia 9-7-7 (34 pts.)

Record through 23 Games - Club History

Year Record (points)

2011 10-5-8 (38 pts.)

2013 11-8-4 (37 pts.)

2012 10-6-7 (37 pts.)

2009 8-6-9 (33 pts.)

2010 9-9-5 (32 pts.)

Sounders FC Reclaims Playoff Spot

Sunday's win over the Portland Timbers awarded Sounders FC a much-needed three points, propelling the Seattle side from seventh in the West to the fifth and final playoff spot. Seattle is eight points behind Supporters' Shield leaders Real Salt Lake as just 11 points separate the top eight teams in the Western Conference. With 37 points through 23 games, Sounders FC ranks second in the West and third overall with 1.61 points per game. Seattle has played at least two fewer games than every conference opponent, including four fewer than Real Salt Lake and three fewer than Colorado. Eight of the 11 remaining games are against West opponents, including the final five games of the season.

Western Conference Standings

Team PTS GP PPG

Real Salt Lake 45 27 1.67

LA Galaxy 40 25 1.60

Colorado Rapids 39 26 1.50

Portland Timbers 39 25 1.56

Seattle Sounders FC 37 23 1.61

FC Dallas 37 26 1.42

Vancouver Whitecaps 36 25 1.44

San Jose Earthquakes 34 26 1.31

Chivas USA 21 25 0.84

Three Games in Eight Days

Sounders FC will play three games in eight days, beginning at Columbus on August 31 followed by back-to-back home games against Chivas USA (September 4) and Chicago Fire (September 7). It will be the first time since May 5-11 - when Seattle earned seven of a possible nine points - that Sounders FC will play three league matches in an eight-day stretch. Seattle has had 10 such stretches in club history, going 15-7-8 and outscoring opponents 43-32. Seattle has scored at least one goal in 25 of those 30 games, including 13 multi-goal games while posting 10 shutouts.

Three Games in Eight Days - MLS only

Date Record Goal Differential (GF/GA)

May 5-11, 2013 2-0-1 +5 (7/2)

June 16-24, 2012 0-2-1 -4 (3/7)

May 19-26, 2012 0-1-2 -2 (3/5)

May 5-12, 2012 2-1-0 +2 (3/1)

April 28-May 5, 2012 3-0-0 +4 (5/1)

June 18-26, 2011 3-0-0 +4 (7/3)

May 21-28, 2011 2-1-0 +1 (3/2)

April 17-25, 2010 1-1-1 -1 (3/4)

August 15-23, 2009 1-1-1 +1 (3/2)

June 13-20, 2009 1-0-2 +1 (6/5)

Final Eastern Conference Road Trip of Season

Seattle's visit to the Columbus Crew on Saturday will mark the final Eastern Conference road trip of the season. In the four previous cross-conference trips, Sounders FC has two wins (Kansas City and Toronto), one draw (Philadelphia) and one loss (Houston). Seattle has just five road trips remaining this season, including three in October. Overall, Seattle is 4-7-1 on the road this season, which is tied for the third-most road wins behind Real Salt Lake and Kansas City (five).

Saturday's match at Columbus is one of three remaining games against East opponents. Seattle will host Chicago on September 7 and New York on September 29. Overall, Sounders FC is 3-2-2 against the East this season, outscoring opponents 8-7.

Seattle Wins another Season Series

The win over Portland secured Seattle's sixth season series victory this season. Sounders FC has also won the series against Chivas USA, Dallas, D.C. United, Kansas City and Toronto FC. Seven series are yet to be decided, and Seattle tied the series against New England and Philadelphia and lost to Houston, Montreal, Salt Lake and San Jose.

A Night to Remember at CenturyLink Field

Sunday's win over the Portland Timbers at CenturyLink Field will be remembered for more than the three points. Sounders FC continued to raise the bar for MLS attendance, hosting the second-largest attendance for a standalone game in league history. The crowd of 67,385 was the third-largest worldwide soccer attendance last weekend (August 23-25), and Seattle has now hosted three of the top five attendances for a standalone match in league history. Sounders FC also continued the trend of performing well in front of big crowds, improving to 7-0-2 when playing in front of a crowd of over 40,000, outscoring opponents 21-7.

2013 Cascadia Cup Update

Sounders FC jumped into the top spot for the 2013 Cascadia Cup with Sunday's win over the Portland Timbers. Seattle is now in full control of the regional competition with two games remaining and can secure the 2013 Cascadia Cup with a win over Vancouver on October 9. The trophy will be decided in the opening weeks of October with the remaining three Cascadia Cup games: Vancouver versus Portland (October 6), Seattle versus Vancouver (October 9) and Portland versus Seattle (October 13).

2013 Cascadia Cup Standings

Team GP Record (points) Goal Differential

Seattle Sounders FC 4 2-1-1 (7 pts.) 2 (5/3)

Vancouver Whitecaps 4 1-1-2 (5 pts.) -1 (7/6)

Portland Timbers 4 0-1-3 (3 pts.) -1 (4/5)

Johnson-Rosales Reconnect

Eddie Johnson and Mauro Rosales connected for Sunday's game-winner, marking the second time this season the duo has combined for a goal. Last season, Rosales assisted on six of Johnson's club record 14 goals. Sunday's tally also marked Johnson's second header goal of the season after setting the league record in 2012 with nine header goals.

Johnson is second on Sounders FC with six goals and has a goal and assist in his last two starts. His four goals in five games against the Portland Timbers matches Fredy Montero for the most in club history, and he has six goals and one assist in nine Cascadia Cup matches against Portland and Vancouver.

Rosales leads Sounders FC with six assists, including four game-winners (T-3rd in MLS). Seattle is now 23-2-7 all-time in MLS when Rosales scores (11) or assists (32).

A Very Gspurning Shutout

Michael Gspurning made his 40th career MLS start on Sunday, recording his seventh shutout of the season (tied-eighth in MLS). Gspurning made four saves (tied for his second-most this season) and gained possession 10 times (2nd on team). His 1.19 goals against average ranks eight in MLS and his 70.0 saves percentages is tied-ninth.

Seattle-Columbus Series Notes

Sounders FC is 3-1-3 against the Columbus Crew, going unbeaten (2-0-1) at Crew Stadium. The lone loss in the series came in the previous meeting as Columbus won, 2-0, at CenturyLink Field on May 23, 2012. The match marks Seattle's first visit to Crew Stadium in over two years.

* Seattle has outscored Columbus 14-7, including 6-1 at Crew Stadium.

* Ten of Seattle's 14 goals have been scored in the first half, including five in the opening 15 minutes.

* Sounders FC has scored in six of the seven meetings, and have held the Crew scoreless twice.

* Eight active Sounders FC players have scored against the Crew, including three goals each from Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Lamar Neagle.

* The only active Crew player to score against Seattle is Justin Meram.

Hat Trick Times Two

Two of Seattle's four all-time hat tricks came against the Crew. The last time Lamar Neagle faced the Columbus Crew as a Seattle Sounders FC player he scored a hat trick in a 6-2 home win on August 27, 2011. The season prior, Blaise Nkufo became the first Sounders FC player to record a hat trick when Seattle beat the Crew, 4-0, on September 18, 2010.

Seattle Meets Two Top 10 Goal Scorers on Saturday

Sounders FC will look to stunt the potent attack of the Columbus Crew, who feature two of the league's top 10 goal scorers. Federico Higuain and Dominic Oduro have each scored nine goals, ranking seventh in MLS, and both players have started all 25 games for the Crew this season.

Higuain is in his first full season with the Crew after joining midway through the 2012 campaign. He scored five goals with seven assists in just 13 games last season, earning MLS Newcomer of the Year honors. He not only leads the Crew with nine goals, but has also recorded a team-high six assists. Higuain is fifth in MLS with 73 shots and 27 shots on goal, and leads the league with five penalty kicks.

An eight-year MLS veteran, Oduro is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. His nine-goal output is already his second-highest season total after scoring 12 goals with the Chicago Fire in 2011.

Throw-ins

With his appearance late in Sunday's match, Djimi Traore received the good behavior incentive and had his season total rolled back to three yellow card cautions. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado has four yellow card cautions and has one game remaining before receiving the good behavior incentive...On September 2, 2009, Sounders FC became the second expansion MLS team to win the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 win over D.C. United at RFK Stadium.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 26, 2013


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