Wizards Visit Seattle Sounders FC Saturday in First-Ever Match Against MLS Expansion Club
Published on April 10, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards (1-2-0, 3 pts) travel to face undefeated expansion side Seattle Sounders FC (3-0-0, 9 pts) Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CT at sold-out Qwest Field. The game, broadcast live locally on Metro Sports (English) and Time Warner Cable Channel 5 (Spanish), marks the first-ever contest between the teams in MLS competition. Kansas City enters the match after a comprehensive 2-0 victory last weekend against the San Jose Earthquakes last Sunday.
The Wizards earned their first shutout of the year, allowing just three shots to the Earthquakes. Kansas City's defense came together after allowing five goals in the first two matches to Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids. The Wizards shut down San Jose just one week after they posted an impressive three-goal performance against the Houston Dynamo.
Two weeks ago, Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman broke the all-time MLS saves record with four stops against Colorado. Hartman enters Saturday's match as the League's all-time leader in wins (139), shutouts (78) and saves (1140). He will break a tie with former Galaxy star Cobi Jones Saturday to move alone into 3rd place on the all-time MLS games-played list with 307 career matches. After his next appearance, Hartman will trail only Steve Ralston of the New England Revolution and Seattle Sounders FC Technical Director Chris Henderson.
Sounders FC has started its inaugural MLS campaign in style, winning games by scores of 3-0 (home to the New York Red Bulls), 2-0 (home to Real Salt Lake) and 2-0 (away to Toronto FC). Longtime U.S. international goalkeeper Kasey Keller has been rock solid behind Seattle's back line, with former USL-1 MVP Osvaldo Alonso playing well in a holding midfield role. Seattle has received offensive contributions from Colombian international Fredy Montero, former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg, long-time MLS forward Nate Jaqua and rookie attacker Steve Zakuani.
Seattle boasts several familiar faces to the Wizards, including defender Tyson Wahl, defender Taylor Graham, fitness coach David Tenney and Technical Director Chris Henderson. Wahl spend the first three years of his MLS career with the Wizards (2006-2008), and Graham also started his career with the club (2003-2004). Tenney was an assistant coach to Wizards boss Curt Onalfo (2007-2008), and Henderson spent time in Kansas City both as a player (1999-2000) and assistant (2007).
Though Seattle is new to MLS, the teams have recent history against one another. Last year, Kansas City faced Seattle Sounders of USL-1 at Qwest Field in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, tying 0-0 through regulation and extra time. Seattle eventually advanced to the next round during penalty kicks. Members of the Kansas City Cauldron have arranged a watch party for Saturday night's match at Coach's Bar and Grill location on 103rd street near Wornall in Kansas City, Missouri. Coach's will offer drinks specials to Wizards fans who watch the game at this location.
Major League Soccer Stories from April 10, 2009
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- Three Weeks Until Much Anticipated Chicago Fire Vs. Club America Match - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Visit Seattle Sounders FC Saturday in First-Ever Match Against MLS Expansion Club - Sporting Kansas City
- Dynamo look for revenge against New York Red Bulls Saturday night - Houston Dynamo FC
- Best Mexico partners with Chivas USA as club's official U.S.-Mexico calling card company - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- United Soccer Club kicks off Spring Session - D.C. United
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