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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders set to face major test

June 30, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


The United Soccer League First Division Seattle Sounders host CD Chivas USA of Major League Soccer in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this Tuesday, July 1. Kickoff at Starfire Sports Complex is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.

Four goals from striker Sebastien Le Toux helped Seattle defeat amateur club Hollywood United 6-0 in round two of the Open Cup and earn the right to play MLS side Chivas USA.

The 'rematch' marks the fourth all-time meeting between the two clubs, and second in the Open Cup. Chivas USA traveled to Seattle in Open Cup third round action less than a year ago- July 18, 2007- with Seattle earning a 3-1 upset victory in front of the home crowd at Qwest Field. Sebastien Le Toux scored two of his tournament high five goals in the match, the most since Abdul Thompson Conteh of DC United scored five in 2001.

The Sounders also challenged the Red-and-White in two exhibition matches, both played in Seattle. May 6, 2006, Seattle was defeated 1-0; current Chivas USA striker Maykel Galindo played for the Sounders in that match. The next season, Galindo jumped to the side of Red-and-White, and scored a goal in a 3-1 victory over his former team played on June 2, 2007. Galindo will be absent Tuesday night with a sports hernia.

Tuesday night?s game will be the first 2008 Open Cup match for Chivas USA. Eight MLS teams qualify for the Open Cup, and enter play in the third round. This year?s MLS teams include: Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, DC United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, New England Revolution, and New York Red Bulls.

Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $17 in advance of the game, and $20 on the day of the game. $15 group tickets are available by calling 206-381-7908. Due to limited seating at Starfire, fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance.

ABOUT CHIVAS USA

Founded on August 2, 2004, as MLS? then-eleventh team, Los Angeles-based Club Deportivo Chivas USA is sister team to the famed Club Deportivo Guadalajara, popularly known as Chivas, Mexico's most beloved soccer club. As the only Mexican-owned team in major professional sports in the United States, Chivas USA brings a boldly different approach to the American sports landscape, centered on five core values: Passion, Heritage, Competitiveness, Inspiration, and Community.

Chivas USA is coached by Preki Radosavljevic. A two-time MLS Most Valuable Player (1997 and 2003, the latter at age 40), Preki earned MLS Coach of the Year honors in 2007, his first season as a head coach at the professional level, after leading the club to a 15-7-8 record and first place in MLS? Western Conference. Preki represented the United States at the 1998 World Cup and 1998 Gold Cup, where he scored the Americans' lone goal in the historic 1-0 win over Brazil.

The team is currently in fourth place (18 points) in the Western Conference of MLS, just three points behind conference leader Los Angeles Galaxy. The team most recently drew 1-1 with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. Midfielder Sacha Kljestan leads the team in goals and assists; five and three, respectively. In goal is Brad Guzan, who in 2007 had 13 shutouts in 27 games.

SOUNDERS TIES

Featured on the Chivas USA roster is former Sounders striker Maykel Galindo, who played 1,023 minutes for Seattle, scoring five goals, none more important than the equalizer in the 2005 USL-1 Championship, which Seattle won on penalty kicks.

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer and Chivas USA coach Preki Radosavljevic played together for the Major Indoor Soccer League side Tacoma Stars from 1988-90.

POTENTIAL QUARTERFINAL U.S. OPEN CUP

Victory means Seattle will face the winner of the MLS Kansas City Wizards vs. USL-1 Carolina Railhawks at Qwest Field in the quarterfinals July 8.

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