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Sounders Home Opener This Saturday vs. Thunder

May 11, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


The defending champion Seattle Sounders make their 2006 USL First Division home debut Saturday, May 13th at Qwest Field against the Minnesota Thunder. Prior to kickoff the Sounders will unveil the club?s championship banner from high atop Qwest Field. Kick off on May 13th is set for 7pm. Suffering a broken nose in exhibition play, the Sounders will have to play Saturday?s match without talented, Cuban Forward Maykel Galindo.

Galindo broke his nose on May 7th in a collision with former Sounder, now Chivas USA Goalkeeper Preston Burpo in an exhibition match at Qwest Field. Nursing a hamstring injury all pre-season, Galindo was on the pitch for just seven minutes before he ran into a leaping Burpo. Team doctors have reset the cartilage in Galindo?s nose but his recovery will depend on how well the bone fragments heal before he returns to action. He is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks.

The Sounders look to return the favor after suffering a 4-0 loss in their 2006 season opener to the Minnesota Thunder on April 23rd in St. Paul, Minn. The Thunder took advantage of several missing Sounder veterans and scored two quick goals in the games opening 15 minutes. Defender Danny Jackson, Midfielder Andrew Gregor, Defender Zach Scott, Midfielder C.J. Klaas, and Forward Maykel Galindo did not make the trip.

Since 1994, the Sounders have a record of 7-3-2 in home opening matches. Since Brian Schmetzer became head coach in 2002, the Sounders are 2-1-1 and have played the Portland Timbers in three of the past four Sounder home openers. Tickets for Saturday?s 2006 home opener are available for $12, visit www.seattlesounders.net for more information.

Sounders' Injury Update: Rivera, Merl, Sagare Join Galindo on Sideline

Virginia Mason, the Sounders Official Sports Medicine Provider

The Sounders continue to struggle with early season injuries. Rookie Midfielder Santa Maria Rivera remains on the injured list with a strained hamstring he suffered in an exhibition game on April 30th against his alma matter, Seattle University. Rivera is also serving the remaining two games of a suspension he received last season while playing for the Yakima Reds of the USL Premier Development League.

A strained quadricep kept Defender Noah Merl off of the field against Chivas USA. Merl, who played for the San Jose Earthquake Reserves last season, will continue to rest for at least one more week. Midfielder Jake Sagare sprained his left ankle on Saturday May 6th in Mount Vernon in exhibition play. He will miss the next two weeks and should be available for the home and away series against Vancouver on May 26th and 27th.

Sounders Insider Online Radio Show

Schmetzer & Abolaji Review Chivas USA, Look Ahead To Thunder

The latest installment of the Sounders Insider radio show is now online at www.seattlesounders.net. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer reviews the Sounders? performance in a 1-0 loss to MLS club Chivas USA and new Defender Seyi Abolaji talks about his playing style and his development into a professional soccer player. Click here to listen to this week's show.

The weekly online show, Sounders Insider is hosted by GuerrillaFootball.com?s Mati Bishop, and analyzes previous and upcoming Sounder matches, visits Sounder history and offers personal features on the 2006 Seattle Sounders.

Sounders In Schools Program Wraps Up In May

Led by Forward Craig Tomlinson, the club?s "Sounders in Schools" program wraps up in the month of May. Now in its third year, the 2006 program visited more than 40 schools from Monroe to Maple Valley during the winter and early spring. Tomlinson?s presentation focuses around the "Three D?s"; Determination, Dedication and Drive and shares the importance of making both positive mental and physical life choices. Each student and staff member received a ticket to the Sounders 2006 USL First Division home opener on May 13th against the Minnesota Thunder at Qwest Field at 7pm.

Seattle Sounders ON DEMAND!

Last weekend?s match against Chivas USA is now available through Comcast ON DEMAND for digital cable subscribers. Comcast will broadcast every Sounders home match through ON DEMAND during the 2006 season. Sounders matches will be available for viewing 48 hours after the match.

The Sounders 2006 USL First Division home opener will be available through Comcast ON DEMAND on Monday, May 15th.

Comcast will bring you replays of the 2005 USL First Division Champion Seattle Sounders home matches ON DEMAND within 48 hours after each game. Sixteen home matches will be available exclusively on Comcast ON DEMAND throughout the 2006 season. Pause, rewind, fast-forward. Create your own highlights. You'll never miss another awesome shot - FREE with Comcast digital cable, ON DEMAND.

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USL First Division Stories from May 11, 2006


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