Sports stats



MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

September 2, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Sounders FC Hosts Chivas USA on Wednesday, Chicago on Saturday

Winners of five of its last six outings, Seattle Sounders FC kicks off a three-game home stand on Wednesday night against Chivas USA. Three days later, Sounders FC concludes its busy eight-day stretch with a Saturday night matchup against the Chicago Fire. Both matches are set to kickoff at 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Wednesday's match was originally scheduled for April 7 and was moved to September 4 to accommodate Seattle's CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal series against Mexico's Santos Laguna. The game 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 match can also be heard in Spanish on La Gran D 99.3 FM.

Saturday's match will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network with John Strong and Robbie Earle on the call. The match can also be heard on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM with Ross Fletcher and Kasey Keller calling the action, and can be heard in Spanish on La Gran D 99.3 FM.

Sounders FC (12-8-4, 40 points) caught fire last month, posting the best August in club history while jumping into third place in the Western Conference. The only team with five wins in the past six games, Seattle holds the third-best points per game average (1.67) in MLS.

In its final Eastern Conference road trip of the season, Sounders FC gutted out a gritty win at Crew Stadium last Saturday, downing Columbus, 1-0, despite playing down a man for 83 minutes. Eddie Johnson tallied his team-high seventh goal of the campaign, connecting on a Mauro Rosales free kick for the second-straight game.

With consecutive shutouts, goalkeeper Michael Gspurning enters Wednesday's match against Chivas USA with a 196-minute shutout streak. Gspurning has posted eight clean sheets (T-6th in MLS) through 20 games, and Seattle's defense ranks second in the West and fourth overall with a 1.08 goals against average.

The Seattle side will play four of five September matches at CenturyLink Field, where the team is currently riding a club record 10-game unbeaten streak. Sounders FC could reach the top mark this season (12), held by the San Jose Earthquakes.

Wednesday's clash with Chivas USA (5-14-7, 22 points) marks the third and final meeting of the season. Seattle won the previous two matches and is unbeaten in the past 10 meetings (6-0-4) with The Goats.

Coming off a late draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC last Sunday, Chivas USA is unbeaten in its past two outings and has lost just once (1-1-2) since August 11. Newcomer Erick Torres has tallied six goals in just eight matches with Los Rojiblancos, including braces in his past two games.

Sounders FC will then wrap-up a stretch of three games in eight days on Saturday night against the Chicago Fire (10-10-5, 35 points). One of the league's hottest teams since July 20, the Fire has lost just once in its past seven matches (4-1-2), climbing within two points of the fifth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Having never lost to the Fire, Sounders FC will look to continue the trend and extend its seven-game (4-0-3) unbeaten streak in the series.

Sounders FC will be without U.S. internationals Johnson and Clint Dempsey as the duo has joined the national team for 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Costa Rica (Friday, September 6) and Mexico (Tuesday, September 10). Both players are expected to return to Seattle following the Mexico match and be available for selection against Real Salt Lake on September 13.

The three-game home stand concludes on September 13 when Supporters' Shield leaders Real Salt Lake visit the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field for the lone time this season.

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

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

Saturday, September 21, 7:30 p.m. - Sounders FC at LA Galaxy

Sunday, September 29, 6 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls

Sounders FC Fast Facts

* .583 - Seattle's winning percentage of .583 is the third-best in MLS.

* 1.08 - Seattle's 1.08 goals against average ranks fourth in MLS, and second in the Western Conference.

* 3 - Sounders FC sits third in the Western Conference standings, and third overall with 1.67 points per game.

* 4 - Obafemi Martins ranks fourth in MLS with four game-winning goals.

* 5 - Mauro Rosales is tied-first in MLS with five game-winning assists.

* 6 - Seattle is the only team with five wins in the past six matches.

* 10 - Sounders FC currently holds a club record 10-game home unbeaten streak, the second-longest in MLS this season.

* 11 - The team has allowed the fewest goals (11) in the second half this season, including just four goals allowed in the final half hour.

* 12 - With 12 points last month, Sounders FC set the club record for most points in August. The four wins also marked the most wins in a single month in club history.

* 16 - Sounders FC has amassed the most points in MLS (16) since July 20.

* 33 - Mauro Rosales' 33 career assists is one shy of matching Fredy Montero's club record.

* 40 -Sounders FC has secured the second-highest point total (40) through 24 games this season, which also ranks second in club history.

* 44 - Sounders FC is unbeaten in 44 straight games (36-0-8) when scoring first.

Date Change: Sounders FC to Host Chivas USA on September 4

The Seattle Sounders FC-Chivas USA match, originally scheduled for April 7, has been moved to Wednesday, September 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

The match was moved in order to accommodate Seattle's CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal series against Mexico's Santos Laguna. Sounders FC hosted the first leg of the series on April 2 with the second leg on April 9 in Torreon, Mexico.

Rave x2: Sounders FC 2-Match Ticket Package Still Available

The Sounders FC 2-Match ticket package includes home matches versus Real Salt Lake on September 13 and the final regular-season match versus the LA Galaxy on October 27. Seating for these matches has been expanded to include the upper bowl at CenturyLink Field.

The 2-Match ticket packages are available by phone at 1-877-MLS-GOAL or online at www.SoundersFC.com .

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 has opened the entire stadium for two matches this season, drawing 53,679 against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 8 and a record crowd of 67,385 against the Portland Timbers on August 25. Sounders FC is unbeaten in 10 (8-0-2) all-time matches played in front of a crowd of over 40,000, outscoring opponents 21-7.

High Spot: Sounders FC Reaches Third in the West

Sounders FC sits third in the Western Conference, marking the club's highest placement this season. Seattle is eight points behind Real Salt Lake in the race for the Supporters' Shield with four games in hand, and has at least two games in hand on every playoff contender. The 1.67 points per game average ranks third overall behind Salt Lake (1.71) and Montreal (1.68). Seattle will play eight of its remaining 10 matches against West opponents, including games against first-place Salt Lake (September 13) and second-place LA Galaxy (September 21) this month.

Western Conference Standings

Team PTS GP PPG

Real Salt Lake 48 28 1.71

LA Galaxy 43 26 1.65

Seattle Sounders FC 40 24 1.67

Colorado Rapids 39 27 1.44

Portland Timbers 39 26 1.50

Vancouver Whitecaps 37 26 1.42

FC Dallas 37 26 1.42

San Jose Earthquakes 34 27 1.26

Chivas USA 22 26 0.85

A Seattle Six-Pack

Sounders FC is the only MLS team with five wins in the past six matches, dating back to a 2-1 win over Chivas USA on July 28. There have been seven times in club history when Seattle has earned at least 15 points from six matches, including five such stretches in the second-half of the season. The current stretch marks the second time this season that Seattle has accomplished the feat, going 5-1-0 from May 8 to June 8. Sounders FC also accomplished the feat twice in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Sounders FC will look to gain points on Wednesday for the first time following an impressive six-game stretch as the team has lost the next game in the previous six instances.

Top 6-game Stretches - Club History

Date PTS Record

July 15-Aug. 28, 2010 16 5-0-1

Sept. 9-Oct. 15, 2010 16 5-0-1

June 18-July 16, 2011 16 5-0-1

April 7-May 9, 2012 16 5-0-1

July 28-Aug. 31, 2013 15 5-1-0

May 8-June 8, 2013 15 5-1-0

Aug. 20-Oct. 1, 2011 15 5-1-0

The Hottest August

Last month marked the best August in club history as the team compiled 12 of the possible 15 points. It was also the first time in club history that Sounders FC won four league games in a single month. The 12-point output bested the 2011 total of 10 points in August, and the four wins is the most in club history. Seattle has historically cooled off in September, going 6-4-5 all-time, with the top mark set in 2010 when the team secured seven points.

August Records - Club History

Year Record (points) GD (GF/GA)

2013 4-1-0 (12 pts.) 4 (8/4)

2011 3-0-1 (10 pts.) 6 (9/3)

2012 3-1-0 (9 pts.) 9 (13/4)

2010 2-0-1 (7 pts.) 3 (4/1)

2009 1-3-2 (5 pts.) -4 (3/7)

Best since July 20

Seattle's 16 points since July 20 is the most in MLS, besting the Chicago Fire's mark of 14 points, and the five wins are more than every MLS team. Sounders FC also holds one of the top goal differentials (5) and has allowed the fewest goals (6) in that stretch.

Top Records Since July 20

Team GP PTS Record GD (GF/GA)

Sounders FC 7 16 5-1-1 5 (11/6)

Chicago Fire 7 14 4-1-2 4 (11/7)

LA Galaxy 6 13 4-1-1 5 (13/8)

New England 7 13 4-2-1 5 (12/7)

Montreal Impact 7 11 3-2-2 4 (10/6)

Real Salt Lake 8 11 3-3-2 3 (20/17)

On Pace through 24 Games

Sounders FC has secured the second-highest point total (40) through 24 games this season, just one point shy of the top mark set by Montreal and Salt Lake. Seattle's 12 wins matches the most wins through 24 games this season, and set the new club record. Sounders FC is one point behind the pace of its best-ever season (2011) when it posted 63 points.

Top 5 Records through 24 Games - 2013

Team Record (points)

Montreal 12-7-5 (41 pts.)

Salt Lake 12-7-5 (41 pts.)

Sounders FC 12-8-4 (40 pts.)

Portland 9-3-12 (39 pts.)

New York 11-8-5 (38 pts.)

Record through 24 Games - Club History

Year Record (points)

2011 11-5-8 (41 pts.)

2013 12-8-4 (40 pts.)

2012 11-6-7 (40 pts.)

2009 8-6-10 (34 pts.)

2010 9-9-6 (33 pts.)

Strong Start: Seattle Continues Busy Stretch

Sounders FC kicked off a stretch of three games in eight days with a win last Saturday at Columbus. Seattle has played three games in eight days on 10 occasions in club history, twice winning all three matches. In the previous such stretch last May, Sounders FC earned two victories and one draw while posting its best-ever goal output (7) and goal differential (5). Overall, Sounders FC has gone 16-7-8 when playing three games in eight days, and has outscored opponents 43-32. Seattle has scored at least one goal in 26 of those 33 games, including 13 multi-goal games while posting 11 shutouts.

Three Games in Eight Days - MLS only

Date Record GD (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)

Unbeaten at Home: Seattle's Streak Reaches 10 Games

Sounders FC has been dominant at home in 2013, extending its home unbeaten streak to a club record 10 games (7-0-3), including three straight wins. The club's last home loss came in the season opener on March 2, a 1-0 defeat to the Montreal Impact. There have been several impressive home records this season. The San Jose Earthquakes hold the top mark at 12 games unbeaten at home. Overall, just five teams have held home unbeaten streaks of nine or more games this season, including all three Cascadia Cup sides.

Longest Home Unbeaten Streaks - Club History

Date GP Record

March 16-present 10 7-0-3

April 25-July 25, 2009 8 4-0-4

July 11-October 15, 2010 7 5-0-2

June 11-August 27, 2011 6 4-0-2

Longest Home Unbeaten Streaks - 2013 MLS Regular Season

Team GP Record Date

San Jose 12 8-0-4 March 10-present

Seattle 10 7-0-3 March 16-present

Dallas 10 7-0-3 March 2-July 4

Vancouver 10 7-0-3 March 2-July 27

Portland 10 7-0-3 April 6-present

Six Down, Six to Go

The win at Columbus marked the sixth season series victory for Sounders FC, who has already won the series against Chivas USA, Dallas, D.C. United, Kansas City and Toronto FC. Six season series are yet to be decided: Chicago, LA Galaxy, New York, Colorado, Vancouver and Portland. Seattle tied the series against New England and Philadelphia and lost to Houston, Montreal, Salt Lake and San Jose.

Rosales Nears Club Record

Seattle's return to form has been sparked by the creative midfield play of captain Mauro Rosales, who has recorded one goal and four assists in the past six games. Rosales now has a team-high seven assists (T-9th in MLS), and ranks first in the league with five game-winning assists. His 33 assists is one shy of Fredy Montero's club record, and Rosales reached the 33-assist mark in 42 fewer games. He currently ranks 17th among active players with 33 career assists, and could reach the top 10 with four more assists. Seattle is now 24-2-7 all-time in MLS when Rosales scores (11) or assists (33).

Game-winning Assists - 2013 Leaders

Player Team GP GWA

Mauro Rosales SEA 23 5

Patrice Bernier MTL 25 5

Sebastien Le Toux PHI 26 5

Landon Donovan LA 17 4

Graham Zusi KC 22 4

9 players tied with 3

Rave Green Clean Sheets

Seattle posted its second straight clean sheet last Saturday at Columbus, extending the team's shutout streak to 196 minutes. It marked the third time this season that Seattle has held clean sheets in consecutive matches, bringing Seattle's goals against average (1.08) to fourth in MLS and second in the Western Conference. Sounders FC ranks fourth with nine shutouts, which matches the 2011 total and is three fewer than the club record (12).

Goals Against Average - 2013 Leaders

Team GP SHTS SVS GA GAA SHO

New England Revolution 26 94 69 25 0.96 12

Sporting Kansas City 27 84 57 27 1.00 9

Colorado Rapids 27 105 76 29 1.07 9

Seattle Sounders FC 24 92 66 26 1.08 9

Portland Timbers 26 110 80 30 1.15 9

Sounders Unbeaten in 10 Straight against Chivas USA

Sounders FC has been dominant against Chivas USA in league play, unbeaten over the past 10 games (6-0-4) against The Goats. The two sides met on June 1 with Seattle earning a 2-nil road victory and met again on July 28 as Sounders FC earned a comeback 2-1 win at CenturyLink Field. Overall, Seattle is 6-2-4 against Chivas USA in league play, with the two losses coming in the first two meetings in 2009. Seattle also ousted Chivas USA from the 2010 and 2012 U.S. Open Cup, bringing the all competitions record to 8-2-4.

* Seattle has won the past four meetings, dating back to August 25, 2012.

* Sounders FC has outscored Chivas USA 18-10, including goals in the past six games.

* Eddie Johnson leads all players with four career goals against Chivas USA, and Mauro Rosales leads all players with four assists in the series, including a club record three helpers last August.

* Overall, nine active Sounders FC players have scored against Chivas USA.

* Sounders FC is 3-0-2 against Chivas USA at CenturyLink Field.

* Seattle's 18 goals against Chivas USA in league play is the third-most against an opponent in club history, ranking behind FC Dallas (20) and Colorado (19).

Instant Offense: Erick Torres' Fast Start in MLS

Few players in MLS are as hot as Chivas' midseason addition Erick Torres. Since joining The Goats on loan from CD Guadalajara on July 10, Torres has scored a team-high six goals and one assist while playing every minute in all seven games. He netted a game-winner in his MLS debut against Toronto, then scored his team's lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Seattle at CenturyLink Field on July 28. The 20-year-old Mexican striker has scored a brace in back-to-back games, leading Chivas to a 3-2 win versus New York on August 25 and a 2-2 draw at Vancouver on Sunday. Chivas USA has secured eight points in seven games since acquiring Torres, as opposed to 14 points in 19 games before him. Torres scored 14 goals in 65 appearances for CD Guadalajara, dating back to 2010.

Seattle on Fire against Chicago

Sounders FC has never lost to Chicago in MLS play, holding an unbeaten record of 4-0-3 against the Men in Red. Chicago is the only MLS team yet to beat Seattle. In the previous meeting on April 28, Eddie Johnson scored his first club goal as Sounders FC won, 2-1, at Toyota Park. Seattle is 2-0-1 against the Fire at CenturyLink Field, holding a 4-2 goal differential. Strong defense has been key to Seattle's success in the series, posting three shutouts in seven all-time meetings. Sounders FC also ousted the Fire in the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, marking Seattle's third consecutive championship.

Returning Home: Veteran Mike Magee Having Career Year

Despite a midseason trade, attacker Mike Magee is enjoying the best season of his 11-year career. He has already shattered his career-high with 14 goals (tied-second in MLS), doubling his previous mark of seven goals, set as a rookie in 2003. After scoring six goals in 10 games for the LA Galaxy to start the year (including a hat trick in the season opener), the Chicago-native has scored eight goals and three assists in 13 games since being traded to the Fire. The 29-year-old recorded a point in each of his first six starts with Chicago, and most recently assisted on the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Sporting KC on August 23. Magee is tied for the league-lead with five game-winning goals, and in just 13 games already leads Chicago in goals (8), points (19), and shots (22).

Throw-ins

September 2 marks the anniversary of Seattle's first U.S. Open Cup championship. Sounders FC became the second expansion team to win the Open Cup with a 2-1 win over D.C. United at RFK Stadium...Jhon Kennedy Hurtado received his good behavior incentive following last Saturday's match. Hurtado now has three yellow cards this season. Djimi Traore now has four yellow cards, and will be suspended on his next caution. Traore has already used his good behavior incentive...Sounders FC and the LA Galaxy have the fewest draws (4) in MLS this season.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from September 2, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central