MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders Play Battery Saturday in Preview of U.S. Open Cup Semis

Published on July 25, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


(Seattle, Wa)- The Seattle Sounders (5-6-8) return home to face the Charleston Battery (9-4-4) Saturday, July 25 in a preview of next month's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals. Kickoff at Starfire is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PT.

Seattle has been struggling as of recent, dropping two straight and falling to a fifth place tie with Portland in the standings (23 points). The club's last win came July 13 in a 1-0 victory at Montreal.

Thursday the team failed to secure a 1-0 lead in Minnesota, allowing the Thunder to score twice in a three minute span. Midfielder Youssouf Kante's spectacular goal in the 43rd minute was not enough as defender Brian Kallman scored the equalizer in the 78th and forward Melvin Tarley added the winner minutes later.

In addition to the tough loss, Seattle's injury woes only got worse as Kenji Treschuk (hamstring) and Danny Jackson (hip contusion) exited the game early with injuries; defender Taylor Graham has also missed the last two games with a hamstring pull.

"We've lost many key guys at different times in the season and it's really had an effect on our overall team cohesion," said Coach Schmetzer. "I think that if we can get everyone healthy, we can start building some momentum heading into the last couple months of our season."

The Sounders look to regain their home field form against the Charleston Battery. Last weekend, the Sounders were defeated 3-1 at home against Rochester. The loss was only the second in 15 games all-time at Starfire, and first in regular season play.

Saturday marks the third and final regular season match between Charleston and Seattle. The two sides last played July 5 in Charleston, with Battery forward Lazo Alavanja scoring early in a 1-0 Sounders defeat. Seattle drew 1-1 in the April 19 season opener at Charleston behind Kenji Treschuk's equalizer in the 90th minute.

Charleston currently sits alone in first place (31 points) with four points separating them from the second place Puerto Rico Islanders. On Wednesday, forward Randi Patterson's first-half headed goal earned the Battery a point with a 1-1 tie versus the Vancouver Whitecaps. The goal was Patterson's league-leading 8th on the season. He is currently tied with Seattle striker Sebastien Le Toux for second in total points with 17.

The Sounders return to Charleston for the third time this year to play the Battery August 12 in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup for the rights to play the winner of MLS' D.C. United and New England Revolution. Seattle will bid to host a potential Cup final at Qwest Field.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 25, 2008


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