Sports stats



Sounders vs. Cardiff City Next Tuesday

July 14, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


The Sounders host Welsh club Cardiff City FC on Tuesday, July 18th at Qwest Field. Cardiff City brings their new young guns in Michael Chopra, former Newcastle (English Premier League) forward and Mark Howard, a 19 year old goalkeeper from Arsenal (EPL), to town with their seven national team players to face the 2005 USL First Division Champion Seattle Sounders at 7pm.

Cardiff City FC, established in 1899, has one of the richest histories in Welsh football winning 22 Welsh Cups and being recognized as the only non-English club to win the Football Association (FA) Cup, England's national club championship. Cardiff defeated Arsenal 1-0 in 1927 to bring the FA Cup home to Wales.

The Blue Birds finished the 2005-2006 season in 11th place with a record of 16-14-11, 59pts but have made significant improvements to help the club make a run at promotion into the English Premier League during the 2006-2007 season. Cardiff replaced their leading scorer Cameron Jerome (who signed with Birmingham) with Newcastle Forward Michael Chopra and signed young Arsenal goalkeeping prospect Mark Howard. Cardiff also signed talented defenders Roger Johnson (Wycombe), Kevin McNaughton (Aberdeen) and midfielder Stephen McPhail of the Irish National team.

Several of Cardiff City's players have represented their home countries playing for their national teams. Mid. Jeff Whitley (Northern Ireland), GK Neil Alexander (Scotland), For. Steven Thompson (Scotland), Mid. Joe Ledley (Wales) and Mid. Paul Parry (Wales) each represented their country during World Cup qualification rounds earlier this year.

The Blue Birds travel to North America to compete in a four team tournament hosted by the Vancouver Whitecaps over the next week and a half. Cardiff City will play Victoria United before heading to Seattle, then return to Vancouver to play the Chinese U-20 National team and the Whitecaps.

Tickets to see the only European club in Seattle this summer start at $12, and groups of 15 or more people can grab tickets as low as $10. Order tickets online or call the Sounders at (206) 622-3415. For more information log onto www.SeattleSounders.net.

Sounders Face Montreal Saturday - July 15th

Don't forget, the Sounders face the Montreal Impact tomorrow, Saturday, July 15th at Qwest Field at 7pm. The Impact have one of the best records in the league and bring the league's top defense to town having allowed only five goals in 13 matches this season. Tickets are available at the door. Visit www.seattlesounders.net for more information.

• Discuss this story on the USL First Division message board...

USL First Division Stories from July 14, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central