MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on September 16, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


League-leading Sounders Visit LA Galaxy Saturday on NBC Sports

Riding a club record five-straight wins, the league-leading Seattle Sounders FC visits two-time defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy on Saturday night on NBC Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT from the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Saturday's match will be nationally televised on NBCSN with John Strong and Kyle Martino on the call. The match will also be available on 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 (15-8-4, 49 points) overtook the top spot in the race for the 2013 Supporters' Shield with a decisive victory over conference rival Real Salt Lake last Friday. Obafemi Martins scored a goal and an assist to earn Player of the Week honors, Lamar Neagle scored in his third straight game and Michael Gspurning recorded his fourth shutout in the past five outings.

Seattle sits first overall for the first time since March 23, 2012. After spending 17 weeks outside of the playoff picture, Sounders FC catapulted to the top spot, taking 24 of the past 27 possible points. The No. 1 ranking is the highest position Seattle has held this late in a season, and the club is just the third team in league history to erase a 15-point deficit to gain first overall.

The Rave Green now shifts its focus to the Western Conference clash on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Already holders of the longest winning streak of the season at five games, Seattle could set the club record with a win against the Galaxy. A victory on Saturday would also mark the most road wins (6) in MLS this season.

The LA Galaxy (13-10-5, 44 points) sit fourth in the West after a 2-2 road draw against D.C. United on Saturday. The Galaxy attack is led by Robbie Keane, who has six goals and two assists in the past four games, and Landon Donovan, who is two goals from matching Jeff Cunningham's league record of 134 career goals.

Los Angeles hosts Isidro Metapan on Wednesday night in CONCACAF Champions League play. The Galaxy currently sit second in Group 8 but has played just one game, winning 2-0 against Cartagines last month.

Saturday's meeting is the second of the season between Seattle and Los Angeles. In the previous meeting, the Galaxy downed Sounders FC, 4-0, on May 26. The third and final meeting of the season will be the regular-season finale on October 27 when Sounders FC will open the entire stadium.

Following Saturday's match, Sounders FC will return to the Pacific Northwest for a Sunday meeting with the New York Red Bulls. Seattle will then play five matches in October to conclude the regular-season campaign, including home games against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (October 9) and the LA Galaxy (October 27).

Tickets to all remaining 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, September 21, 7:30 p.m. - Sounders FC at LA Galaxy

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

Saturday, October 5, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC at Colorado Rapids

Wednesday, October 9, 7 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Sunday, October 13, 6 p.m. - Sounders FC at Portland Timbers

Saturday, October 19, 12 p.m. - Sounders FC at FC Dallas

Sunday, October 27, 6 p.m. - Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy

Sounders FC Fast Facts

* .630 - Sounders FC leads MLS with a .630 winning percentage.

* 1 - Seattle overtook the top spot in MLS for the first time this season.

* 4 - Sounders FC has four clean sheets in the past five matches.

* 5 - Obafemi Martins is tied-first in MLS with five game-winning goals.

* 5 - With five straight wins, Sounders FC has the largest winning streak in MLS this season.

* 10 - Seattle's 10 wins and 33 points at home both lead MLS.

* 11 - Seattle is second in MLS with 11 shutouts.

* 13 - Sounders FC currently holds a club record 13-game home unbeaten streak, the second-longest in MLS this season.

* 15 - Sounders FC leads the league with 15 wins.

* 17 - Saturday's match will be the 17th meeting between Seattle and LA across all competitions, tied for the most in club history.

* 24 - Seattle has taken 24 of the past 27 available points, the best run in MLS this season.

* 24 - Obafemi Martins was named MLS Player of the Week for week 29.

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

* 46 - Sounders FC is unbeaten in 46 straight games (38-0-8) when scoring first.

* 43,180 - Seattle's average attendance for the 2013 regular season is 43,180, besting last year's top mark of 43,144. Sounders FC has three home games remaining, and will open the entire stadium for the LA Galaxy match on October 27.

Seattle's Rise to the Top Spot

Sounders FC overtook the top spot in the race for the 2013 Supporters' Shield with last Friday's win over Real Salt Lake, marking the latest in club history that Seattle has been first in MLS. It is the first time this season that Seattle sits atop of the standings after spending 17 weeks out of the top five spots in the Western Conference, including seven weeks in eighth or ninth place. Sounders FC has climbed six spots in the past six weeks after sitting seventh in the West following the August 3 win over FC Dallas.

Despite having the second-best record in MLS since 2009, the top spot in the race for the Supporters' Shield is unfamiliar territory for Sounders FC. Seattle has been first overall on three occasions: March 19-April 4, 2009; March 25, 2010; and March 23, 2012. The 2013 season not only marks the latest that Sounders FC has been first, but it is also the latest that the club has been out of a playoffspot (August 17). The highest Seattle had been in the mid-September standings was in 2011 when the club ranked second in the West.

All-Time Sounders FC Standings Breakdown

Year Highest Position (Week) Lowest Position (Week) Record thru 27 Games (pos.)

2009 1 (Week 3) T-4 (Week 27) 9-7-11 (T-4)

2010 1 (Week 1) 8 (Week 8) 12-9-6 (4)

2011 2 (Week 34) 6 (Week 4) 13-5-9 (2)

2012 T-1 (Week 2) T-5 (Week 4) 13-6-8 (2)

2013 1 (Week 27) 9 (Week 7) 15-8-4 (1)

*Position - Placement in the Western Conference standings.

A Historic Climb

Seattle's rise to the top is one of the most remarkable runs in league history as Sounders FC became just the third team to erase a 15-point deficit to gain sole possession of first overall. The feat was previously accomplished by the MetroStars in 2000 and the Columbus Crew in 2009. The MetroStars went on to win the Eastern Conference but fell in the semifinals to MLS Cup runners-up Chicago Fire. Columbus won the Supporters' Shield before the eventual champions Real Salt Lake ousted the Crew in the conference semifinals.

Sounders Set Season Record with Five-Game Winning Streak

Last Friday's win over Real Salt Lake marked the fifth consecutive victory for Sounders FC, setting the MLS record for longest winning streak this season. The five-game run matches the best in club history, which has been accomplished twice (2010 and 2012). Overall, a winning streak of five or more games has been accomplished just 10 other times since Sounders FC entered MLS in 2009. The longest winning streak in league history is 15 games, set by the LA Galaxy over two seasons from 1997-98. The longest winning streak over a single season was 12 games, set by the Galaxy in the inaugural season.

Sounders FC will look to extend its winning streak to six games on Saturday against the LA Galaxy. A winning streak of six games or more has been accomplished 19 times in league history, including 12 times before 2000 (when draws forced overtime).

Winning Streaks of Five Games or More since 2009 - MLS

Team Wins Dates

Sporting Kansas City 7 March 10-April 18, 2012

Seattle Sounders FC 5 August 25 - present

Montreal Impact 5 July 28 - August 25, 2012

Houston Dynamo 5 July 15 - August 3, 2012

New York Red Bulls 5 April 28 - May 19, 2012

Seattle Sounders FC 5 April 14 - May 9, 2012

Real Salt Lake 5 August 27 - September 21, 2011

Seattle Sounders FC 5 September 18 - October 15, 2010

Real Salt Lake 5 May 1 - May 29, 2010

Columbus Crew 5 July 18 - August 15, 2009

Houston Dynamo 5 May 23 - June 13, 2009

*Only includes winning streaks over a single MLS regular season.

Rave Green Defense Nears Club Records

Sounders FC shut out the league's top scoring team with last Friday's 2-nil win over Real Salt Lake. The clean sheet marked the 11th of the season for Seattle, ranking second in MLS. The next shutout will match the club record (12), set last season. Sounders FC has recorded four shutouts in five games for the fourth time in club history, and the second time this season.

Most Shutouts - Club History

Year Shutouts GAA

2012 12 0.97

2013 11 1.00

2010 11 1.17

2009 10 0.97

2011 9 1.09

Best Shutout Streaks - Club History

Dates SO GP Record GF/GA

April 7-May 9, 2012 5 6 5-0-1 8/1

August 25-Sept. 13, 2013 4 5 5-0-0 7/1

April 13-May 11, 2013 4 5 3-0-2 8/2

July 15-August 14, 2010 4 5 4-0-1 6/1

Scoring Streaks: Seattle's Continues One, Stops Another

Sounders FC has scored at least one goal in the past 10 outings, marking the second-longest scoring streak in club history and fifth-longest in MLS this season. Seattle has scored 16 goals in the 10-game stretch, dating back to a road shutout at San Jose on July 13. The stretch marks the third time in club history that Sounders FC has scored at least one goal in 10 or more straight games. The club record is 11 straight games with at least one goal scored, set from July 7 to September 22, 2012.

Simultaneously, Seattle played spoiler to Salt Lake's season-best scoring streak. The shutout on Friday marked the first time that RSL was held scoreless in 19 straight games, dating back to May 4. Overall, six other teams have scored in 10 or more consecutive games this season, and Seattle holds the only active streak in MLS.

Most Consecutive Games with a Goal in MLS - 2013

Team Games Dates

Real Salt Lake 19 May 4-Sept. 13

FC Dallas 14 March 2-June 1

Chicago Fire 12 May 25-August 10

Vancouver 11 May 11-July 20

Sounders FC 10 July 20-present

Philadelphia 10 May 4-July 3

Kansas City 10 May 12-July 20

Gspurning among League's Elite

Michael Gspurning has become one of the league's stingiest goalkeepers over the past two seasons, allowing just 38 goals for a 0.88 career goals against average. With 10 shutouts in 23 games this season, Gspurning is tied for the league lead in clean sheets, and ranks third with a 1.02 goals against average. His form in 2013 is also among the best in club history, falling just short of the top mark he set last season with a 0.73 goals against average.

Top Goals Against Average - Club History

Player Year GAA Shutouts

Michael Gspurning 2012 0.73 8

Kasey Keller 2009 0.92 10

Michael Gspurning 2013 1.02 10

Kasey Keller 2011 1 .09 9

Kasey Keller 2010 1.15 11

On a Roll: Seattle Takes 24 of 27 points

Seattle's recent nine-game stretch has been among the most impressive runs in league history. Sounders FC has earned 24 of the possible 27 points, marking the best run in MLS this season. Seattle is the first team to earn 24 or more points over nine games since D.C. United earned 25 points in 2007. The first such stretch was in the LA Galaxy's first nine MLS games in 1996 when the team took 25 of the possible 27 points.

Away Boys: Sounders Look for League-High Sixth Road Win

Following a three-game home stand, Sounders FC hits the road for Saturday's match against the LA Galaxy. Seattle will play four of its final seven matches away from CenturyLink Field, including games at Colorado (October 5), Portland (October 13) and Dallas (October 19). Seattle holds a 5-7-1 (16 points) road record in 2013, including wins in two of the last three trips. Seattle's five road wins are tied for the most in MLS with three teams (Kansas City, New York and Salt Lake), and the 16 points are tied for the fifth-most away points in 2013. Sounders FC ranks third with 18 goals allowed on the road this season.

Martins Named MLS Player of the Week

Obafemi Martins was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 29 after a scoring a goal and an assist Friday night in Seattle's 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake. The Nigerian striker put Seattle on the board in the third minute-Seattle's quickest goal this season-when he played Andy Rose down to the end line with a perfectly-weighted ball, then found good position in the box to one-time Rose's return cross into the back of the net for his eighth goal of the season. In the 38th minute, he sprung DeAndre Yedlin down the right wing in space for an open cross to Lamar Neagle that put Seattle up 2-0 before halftime.

It was the first time Martins has scored a goal and an assist in the same game this season. His eight goals are tied with Neagle for the team-lead and his four assists are third. Friday's goal was his fifth game-winning goal on the season (tied-first in MLS) and his 0.60 goals per 90 minutes ranks 10th.

Martins is the second Sounders FC player to be named MLS Player of the Week in 2013 after Eddie Johnson won the honor in week 12.

Seattle and LA Meet for 17th Time

Saturday's match between Seattle and LA will be the 17th meeting between the two sides since the beginning of 2009, matching the club record. Over the past five seasons, the two sides have met 10 times in the regular season, four times in the MLS Cup Playoffs and twice in the U.S. Open Cup. Seattle is 3-5-2 all-time in the regular season and 1-3-0 in the playoffs against the Galaxy. The Rave Green won the first two meetings of 2012 by a combined score of 6-0, only to see Los Angles win the two regular-season meetings since by a combined score of 5-0, including a 4-0 loss in the previous meeting.

Sounders FC is 1-3-0 against Los Angeles in the postseason, meeting in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2010 and 2012. The Galaxy took a 3-0 lead in the first leg of the 2012 Western Conference Finals before Seattle battled back in the second leg, pulling within one goal on aggregate before Robbie Keane converted a penalty kick to help LA back to the MLS Cup final.

Most All-Time Meetings (all competitions)*

Team GP MLS Playoffs USOC

Real Salt Lake 17 3-5-4 2-1-1 1-0-0

LA Galaxy 16 3-5-2 1-3-0 2-0-0

Chivas USA 15 7-2-4 0-0-0 2-0-0

San Jose Earthquakes 14 5-7-1 0-0-0 1-0-0

Clash of National Team Stars

Saturday's Seattle-LA matchup will feature several international stars. In addition to Seattle's Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey and Brad Evans, the Galaxy's attack is led by U.S. legend Landon Donovan and Irish captain Robbie Keane, and USMNT center back Omar Gonzalez shores up the backline.

Donovan-the USMNT all-time leader in starts, goals and assists-is second on the Galaxy with eight goals and eight assists in 2013, including six goals and five assists in his last nine appearances, highlighted by a hat trick against Dallas on August 11. With 132 career goals, the 31-year-old is two goals shy of Jeff Cunningham's all-time MLS record. Donovan's next game will be the 300th of his MLS career.

Keane, one of the league's most prolific strikers, ranks in the top five with 13 goals (4th) and 11 assists (3rd) in just 17 games this season. Arguably the most efficient attacker in MLS, his 0.78 goals per 90 minutes ranks second and his 0.66 assists per 90 minutes ranks first. The 33-year-old has 31 goals and 21 assists in just 49 games since joining the league late in 2011.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

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