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Sounders Take On The Miami At Starfire

September 5, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


(Seattle, Wa)- The Seattle Sounders (9-8-9) continue their quest for postseason position against the Miami FC Blues (6-10-10) Saturday, September 6 at Starfire. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.

In the two-week hiatus from league play, Seattle played three friendlies, all victories, beating Seattle University (3-0), University of Washington (1-0) and San Jose Earthquakes of MLS (2-1).

Tuesday's victory over the Earthquakes was the third this season for the Sounders over MLS competition. Seattle defeated Chivas USA (2-0) on July 1 and the Kansas City Wizards (0-0, 6-5) in penalty kicks July 8, both in US Open Cup competition.

The Sounders last league game came August 24 at Starfire in an exciting 4-3 victory over the Carolina RailHawks. Josh Gardner ended a 281-minute Sounders scoring drought with a first-half goal, then scored the equalizer midway through the second half. Sebastien Le Toux netted the game-winner with his 11th of the season in the 65th minute as Seattle rallied twice to pull out the win despite a hat trick from RailHawks forward Hamed Diallo. Gardner's two goals earned him USL-1 Team of the Week honors.

Seattle looks to ride the momentum against Miami as the two sides face off for the third and final time this season. The previous two meetings were defensive battles, both ending in 0-0 draws. The last match played on June 20 at Starfire, resulted at the time in the Blues sixth straight shutout; 590 minutes without allowing a single goal.

Miami has 13 clean sheets and forward Alex Afonso leads the USL-1 in points and goals with 32 and 14 respectively, but the club has just six wins this season. Last week, Miami and Minnesota faced off in back-to-back contests with the Thunder winning 2-1 on Friday, and drawing 1-1 on Sunday. Miami lost to the Portland Timbers 4-0 Thursday at PGE Park and now travel north to Seattle on Saturday. The Blues are currently in tenth place with 28 points.

PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

The Sounders are in sole position of fifth place in USL-1 with 36 points just one point back of the Charleston Battery and Rochester Rhinos, who are tied for third. Puerto Rico (46 points) and Vancouver (46) are tied for first. Montreal climbed to sixth (34 points) with three straight wins; two over Atlanta (currently in seventh place with 32 points) and one over Carolina (last place with 27 points). The remaining four games are at Starfire against: Miami (September 6), Montreal (September 10), Atlanta (September 13) and Vancouver (September 20).

TICKETS

Don't miss your chance to see the Sounders final run in their storied history starting this Saturday at Starfire against the Miami FC Blues. Tickets for the remaining four games of the regular season, including the final match and Cascadia Cup deciding fixture against the rival to the north, Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday, September 20 are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To order group tickets call 425-203-8303.

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