Seattle Sounders news

SFC falls 1-0 to San Jose

March 24, 2013, 5:05 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The Sounders FC dropped their first road test of 2013, 1-0 to the defending supporter's shield winners San Jose. » read full article

HALFTIME - Wondolowski puts the Sounders down 1-0

March 24, 2013, 4:05 am sourced from feedproxy.google.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – As Chris Wondolowski goes, so go the San Jose Earthquakes an in the first half of Saturday night’s match at Buck Shaw Stadium, the Sounders FC saw that.The Sounders held the vast majority of the possession, holding the ball over 63-percent of the time, but neither team was able to put a shot on goal in the half until Wondolowski ripped a shot from just outside the box to give San Jose the 1-0 first-half lead.That certainly wasn’t the defending MLS MVP’s first opportunity of the match though.In the 12th minute, Shea Salinas found Wondolowski alone and in the box on a quickly taken free kick from the left side, but Leo Gonzalez converged and blocked the shot attempt as Seattle cleared the ball from the box.He also had a chance in the 43rd minute when Wondolowski got his header off a Salinas free kick, but it skipped just wide of the near post.Seattle had their opportunities to break the game open as well.A lazy ball from Jason Hernandez nearly got the Sounders on the board in the 19th minute as DeAndre Yedlin cleared a ball in the Seattle box and Hernandez tried to play it back to Jon Busch.  David Estrada charged on the ball and nearly beat Busch to it, but it skipped wide for a goal kick.In the 24th minute, Zakuani had his first good opportunity of the match, turning on the after-burners to blaze past Ty Harden before putting his shot high over the crossbar.Seattle put Busch under pressure in the 41st minute as Osvaldo Alonso led Mauro Rosales into the box and Rosales blasted a shot only to have it deflect just outside the post for a corner kick.The Sounders have 45 minutes to bounce back.  The second half isn’t far away.ScoringSounders FC – None.Earthquakes – Chris Wondolowski (Adam Jahn) 45.DisciplineSounders FC – None.Earthquakes – None.LineupsSounders FC – Michael Gspurning, DeAndre Yedlin, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Djimi Traore, Leo Gonzalez, Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Andy Rose, Steve Zakuani, Sammy Ochoa, David Estrada.Earthquakes – Jon Busch, Ty Harden, Nana Attakora, Jason Hernandez, Dan Gargan, Shea Salinas, Rafael Baca, Sam Cronin, Ramiro Corrales, Adam Jahn, Chris Wondolowski. » read full article

Depth on display as Sounders take on Earthquakes

March 24, 2013, 2:35 am sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The lineups are in at Santa Clara’s Buck Shaw Stadium as the Sounders take on the San Jose Earthquakes in Seattle’s first road bout of the MLS regular season and both sides will test their depth in the face of international absences and injuries.The Sounders will make do without forwards Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins and midfielder Mario Martinez because of World Cup qualifying matches and midfielders Brad Evans and Shalrie Joseph and defender Patrick Ianni because of injury.  Meanwhile, the Earthquakes won’t have regulars Victor Bernardez and Justin Morrow because of international duty and a lengthy list that includes the likes of Steven Lenhart, Alan Gordon, Mike Fucito, Marvin Chavez and Steven Beitashour due to injury.The Sounders remain confident in their lineup though.“It’s difficult to replace them.  The next guys will step up and do the best they can,” said Mauro Rosales, who moves back into the starting lineup as the right midfielder.  “As a group, we are very strong.”The Seattle starters are Michael Gspurning at goalkeeper; defenders DeAndre Yedlin, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Djimi Traore and Leo Gonzalez; midfielders Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Andy Rose and Steve Zakuani; and forwards Sammy Ochoa and David Estrada.“We know that we have a strong team and if we have a good day we can beat everybody in the league,” Gspurning said.On Seattle’s bench are Marcus Hahnemann, Zach Scott, Marc Burch, Alex Caskey, Servando Carrasco, Lamar Neagle and Eriq Zavaleta.San Jose coach Frank Yallop opted for a lineup of Jon Busch at goalkeeper; defenders Ty Harden, Nana Attakora, Jason Hernandez and Dan Gargan; midfielders Shea Salinas, Sam Cronin, Rafael Baca and Ramiro Corrales; with 2012 MLS MVP Chris Wondolowski and rookie Adam Jahn at forward.The Earthquakes bench consists of David Bingham, Sam Garza, Walter Martinez, Cordell Cato, Abu Tommy, Marcus Tracy and Brad Ring. » read full article

Matchday Central: @ San Jose Earthquakes

March 23, 2013, 9:06 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

Sounders FC @ San Jose EarthquakesMarch 23, 7:30 pm PT, Buck Shaw StadiumTV/Radio: KING 5/KIRO radio 97.3San Jose’s Record: The Earthquakes are 1-1-1 (4 points) after a comeback draw on the road against the Columbus Crew last week.All-time series: After losing all three regular season meetings last year, the Sounders dropped to 4-5-1 all-time against San Jose.  Add in their US Open Cup match last year, though, and the series is split at 5-5-1.Injury Report: Sounders FC – Out: D Patrick Ianni (R foot fracture), M Shalrie Joseph (L calf strain).  Questionable: M Brad Evans (L calf strain).  Earthquakes – Out: M Mehdi Ballouchy (L torn ACL), D Steven Beitashour (sports hernia repair), M Marvin Chavez (R MCL sprain), F Alan Gordon (L foot surgery), F Steven Lenhart (R knee surgery), D Tommy Muller (lower back spasms). Questionable: F Mike Fucito (L foot laceration).Key player: Forward Chris Wondolowski was the top scorer in Major League Soccer last year with 27 goals, matching the league’s all-time mark set by Roy Lassiter in 1996.  The 30-year-old native of nearby Danville, California, burst on the scene with 18 goals in 2010 and added 16 goals in 2011 before his scoring explosion last year that also saw him post a career-high seven assists.  He has one goal through the first three matches for the Earthquakes this season, but has five goals in nine career matches against the Sounders.Notes: Both teams will take the field without some of their top players who will be away on international duty with World Cup qualifying matches.  Seattle is missing midfielder Mario Martinez (Honduras) and forwards Eddie Johnson (USA) and Obafemi Martins (Nigeria), while the Earthquakes won’t have defenders Justin Morrow (USA) and Victor Bernardez (Honduras) available. … The Earthquakes lineup may feature recent signing Walter Martinez for the first time.  The 30-year-old forward/midfielder from Honduras has 12 goals in 51 appearances for Honduras, including all three matches at the 2010 World Cup. … There are plenty of Seattle connections on the Earthquakes roster.  Those include former Sounders Cordell Cato and Mike Fucito, UW product Ty Harden and Adam Jahn played for Washington Crossfire in the PDL in 2010.  Assistant coach Ian Russell is a Seattle native, UW product and played two seasons with the Sounders in the A-League in 1998 and 1999. » read full article

Sounders succeed in World Cup qualifiers

March 23, 2013, 7:36 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The Sounders FC will be without three key players in their match against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday while Mario Martinez, Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins are all away on national team duty.All three got playing time in their matches on Friday and Saturday, though, as all three teams also got results in their World Cup qualifying matches.In Commerce City, Colorado, Johnson came on as a 76th minute sub and played the final 14 minutes of the match on the right wing as the US braved a snowstorm to earn the 1-0 win over Costa Rica, giving them their first points of the Hexagonal round.  The game-winner came in the 16th minute from Clint Dempsey, his second goal of the Hex.  The US will take on Mexico at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Tuesday.In San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Martinez started for Honduras as they fell behind 2-0 on goals from Manchester United forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.  Los Catrachos showed plenty of fight, though and battled back with two goals just three minutes apart.  First, Martinez assisted on a goal from Carlo Costly in the 77th minute, then Jerry Bengtson scored in the 80th minute.  Bengtson’s goal came when Honduras was awarded a penalty – Bengtson’s initial effort was saved, but the rebound fell right back to him and he put it away for the equalizer.  Honduras will meet Panama in Panama City on Tuesday.Finally, in Calabar, Nigeria, Martins started and played 59 minutes as Nigeria came back to draw Kenya 1-1.  The Super Eagles fell behind 1-0 in the 39th minute and needed stoppage time to draw level, finally equalizing two minutes after the 90-minute mark on a goal by Nnamdi Oduamadi.  The match on Saturday was Nigeria’s only one this week, so Martins will return to the Sounders early in the week, while Martinez and Johnson will likely be back in training on Thursday. » read full article

Three Key Match-Ups: at San Jose Earthquakes

March 23, 2013, 4:06 am sourced from feedproxy.google.com

It's the Sounders first road match of the season and despite both teams missing players, it will be a tough ask for both. » read full article

The Sounders first road test of the year comes against San Jose

March 23, 2013, 3:35 am sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The Supporter's Shield winners will be a tricky test for the Sounders in their first match away from CenturyLink Field in 2013. » read full article

Estrada returns home with chance to start against San Jose

March 22, 2013, 8:35 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The talented forward is a California native and playing in front of the San Jose crowd would be a treat for him. » read full article

Sounders FC Signs Fairclough and Lund

March 22, 2013, 8:05 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

Sounders add defender Ashani Fairclough and midfielder Phillip Lund » read full article

Sounders ready for first road challenge of the season

March 22, 2013, 5:06 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The Sounders travel to San Jose for a Saturday night matchup with the defending Supporters’ Shield winning Earthquakes. » read full article

Date Change: Sounders FC to Host Chivas USA on September 4

March 21, 2013, 10:35 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

Match Moved to Accommodate Champions League Semifinals » read full article

Sounders FC Roundtable Podcast - 03/21/13

March 21, 2013, 10:35 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

U.S. Soccer is returning to CenturyLink Field as the national will play a World Cup qualifier against Panama in Seattle on June 11. » read full article

CCL: What exactly is CONCACAF?

March 21, 2013, 7:06 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The Sounders are playing in this tournament named, "CONCACAF Champions League" but what exactly is CONCACAF? » read full article

CCL: How North American teams qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League

March 21, 2013, 7:06 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

There are a number of ways in which a North American soccer team can qualify for the CCL...here they are explained. » read full article

Fast facts on the USMNT coming to Seattle

March 21, 2013, 5:35 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

Fast facts on the US National Team in Seattle- The last time the US National Team played at CenturyLink Field was July 4, 2009, when Brad Evans made his US debut in a 4-0 win over Grenada in the CONCACAF Cold Cup.- The US is 6-2-1 all-time in Washington and has won five straight.- Their five-game win-streak in Washington includes all four matches at CenturyLink Field and a 4-0 win over Honduras at Safeco Field.  They have outscored their opponents 16-1 in that span.- In addition to the 2009 Gold Cup match, CenturyLink Field also hosted matches in the 2005 Gold Cup.  Then, they topped Cuba 4-1 and Canada 2-0.- Off all of the venues being used for World Cup qualifying, CenturyLink Field is the only stadium that the US has played in more than once and never lost or tied.  » read full article

CenturyLink Field to Host World Cup Qualifier on June 11

March 21, 2013, 5:35 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

U.S. Soccer will be coming to Seattle this summer. » read full article

National team returns to Seattle after long break

March 21, 2013, 5:35 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

It's been nearly 40 years since the U.S. National Team played a World Cup qualifier in Seattle. » read full article

Graham and Levesque highlight Gates Foundation event on Saturday

March 21, 2013, 12:06 am sourced from feedproxy.google.com

When Roger Levesque left the Sounders FC to pursue his Master’s degree at the University of Washington, it was with the aim of combining his love of community work and soccer.This weekend, those two aspects will work in concert when the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation hosts Family Day, providing an opportunity for participants to be involved in a full day of family-friendly activities while exploring how soccer inspires community involvement.For Levesque, who will join Sounders FC manager of business operations Taylor Graham as guest speakers, it is another chance to continue his involvement in the Seattle community.“I’m excited to be a part of it.  Soccer is a great way to connect – locally and on a bigger scale.  It’s a great way to get people on the same page and from there a lot of lessons can be learned using the platform of soccer,” Levesque said.  “That can be in giving back, on the health side … there are a lot of different directions you can go and there are a lot of different organizations out there that are making a huge impact using that model.”The Sounders FC and the club’s community partners with the Washington Global Health Alliance and America SCORES Seattle will all participate in the event on Saturday at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center from 10 am to 3 pm.  “I’m putting on a couple of different hats while I’m there.  I’m a soccer fan, so I’m wearing that hat because I’m there as a member of the community.  I’m wearing the community hat because Seattle is my home and I love it,” said Graham, who played for six seasons in Seattle before retiring after the 2011 season.  “But I’m also wearing the Sounders hat because I’ll be able to speak on behalf of some of the really cool things that we’re doing.”Among other speakers at the event will be Kristen Eddings from Washington Global Health Alliance, who was along for the trip to Tanzania earlier this year.“The point of this weekend is to bring in people that love the sport of soccer both in Seattle and internationally and to use that passion and expose them to other good things that sport is doing beyond the game in humanitarian and community work,” Graham said.For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/GatesVC. » read full article

Steve Zakuani providing creative play early

March 20, 2013, 11:35 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

Among active Sounders only Mauro Rosales has more assists than Steve Zakuani. In 2013 he should be adding to that total. » read full article

Sounders depth to be tested against San Jose

March 20, 2013, 12:36 am sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The club will be without three of its offensive weapons when it travels to Northern California later this week. » read full article

Johnson earns Team of the Week recognition

March 19, 2013, 10:36 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

It’s been quite a week for Sounders FC forward Eddie Johnson.  He scored his first goal of the year for what proved to be the series-winning tally against Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday at CenturyLink Field.  On Friday, the Sounders added a new strike partner in the form of Designated Player Obafemi Martins.  Saturday, he scored his first MLS goal of the year in the 13th minute of Seattle’s 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers.  And on Monday he was in Colorado to prepare for the US National Team’s World Cup qualifying match against Costa Rica.After that week, Johnson was named to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 3, making him Seattle’s lone representative in MLS Rivalry Week.He was joined on Team of the Week by goalkeeper Bill Hamid (DC United); defenders George John (FC Dallas), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes) and Drew Moor (Colorado Rapids); midfielders Jackson (FC Dallas), Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact), Rafael Baca (San Jose Earthquakes) and Eric Avila (Chivas USA); and forwards Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union) and Marco Di Vaio (Montreal Impact).Steve Zakuani and Osvaldo Alonso were given honorable mention for the week.  Zakuani assisted on Johnson’s goal and was a persistent threat on the left side while Alonso had five tackles, six clearances and ten interceptions to lead the Sounders in each category.  In total, he gained possession for the Sounders 23 times – more than double any other player in the match for either team and eight more than the next highest field player in the league over the weekend.Here are the previous winners for the Sounders FC:Week 1: D DeAndre YedlinWeek 3: F Eddie Johnson » read full article

Sounders and Johansson will part ways

March 19, 2013, 10:05 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

Adam Johansson wants to play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.  However, injuries limited his time in the preseason and in the meantime DeAndre Yedlin emerged for the Sounders, leaving regular playing time scarce for the 30-year-old right back. On Tuesday, Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid announced that the team was parting ways with Johansson, giving him the opportunity to find a situation that would present him with more regular playing time while also providing Seattle the chance to create salary cap space.“For him to get into the World Cup team in 2014 and continue to be part of qualifiers like he was before this round – if he’s not getting regular minutes, then that’s going to hurt him in that development,” Schmid said.Over the next week, Sweden will meet the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia in World Cup qualifying matches.  Previously this year, they would have had Johansson under consideration for a roster spot for those crucial matches as he had been a regular of late with Sweden.However, a preseason knee injury opened the door for Yedlin to seize more playing time and the 19-year-old Homegrown Player has done just that.  In addition, the off-season trade for Shalrie Joseph creates an opportunity to play Brad Evans at right back, creating a further logjam at the position.“It’s very important for Adam’s career for him to have regular first-team minutes because he is on the Swedish National Team.  With Brad maybe dropping to right back and DeAndre’s development, that might not have made that a regular basis for him,” Schmid said.  “But the main issue is salary cap and to make things work at the end of the day.”Johansson played 21 regular season matches for the Sounders in 2012, finishing the year with 1834 minutes and two assists.  In all competitions, he played in 28 matches, starting in 27 of them.  He has 15 career caps for Sweden and played his whole career in his home country before coming to the Sounders last year. » read full article

On This Date: Sounders FC's Inaugural Match

March 19, 2013, 10:05 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

March 19, 2009 On this date in 2009, Seattle was abuzz with excitement and anticipation as a brand new craze was beginning to sweep the city.That buzz reached a crescendo at CenturyLink Field when the Sounders FC opened their inaugural Major League Soccer season in front of a crowd of 32,523, blowing out of the water all expectations for how fans attend MLS matches. The entire country was introduced to the Emerald City Supporters, as they took center stage on the national broadcast on ESPN2 and raised the bar on fan support and tifo displays with their overhead display proclaiming “Tonight our history becomes legend” over the image of the Space Needle.The only thing that topped the excitement in the stands was the play on the field. Meeting 2008 MLS Cup finalists in the New York Red Bulls, the Sounders had their work cut out for them. However, they maintained an approach that they weren’t just an expansion team. They wanted to compete and win from Day One and that mentality was evident in their first match.In the 11th minute, Fredy Montero put himself in the record books with the club’s first goal – a moment that is immortalized each match when the ECS sings “Roll on Columbia." It’s a song about the rolling Columbia River, but ECS has adopted it as a song to also reference the home country of Montero – Colombia.Seattle would add to that lead with a score from Brad Evans and a second goal by Montero while local legend Kasey Keller posted his first shutout as the Sounders breezed to a 3-0 win, punctuated by a late appearance by former USL Sounder and fan-favorite Roger Levesque, who came on in the final minutes to replace that night’s hero, Montero.It was a night no one in attendance will soon forget.Scoring SummarySEA – Montero (Le Toux, Alonso) 11’SEA – Evans (Montero) 25’SEA – Montero 75’ Seattle LineupKasey Keller; James Riley, Tyrone Marshall, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Zach Scott; Sebastien Le Toux, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Sanna Nyassi (Steve Zakuani 68’); Nate Jaqua, Fredy Montero (Roger Levesque 89’). » read full article

Alonso has seen star rise rapidly with Sounders

March 19, 2013, 4:36 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

The relentless holding midfielder has become one of the best players in Major League Soccer over the last few years with Seattle. » read full article

SBJ puts Sounders among the best in American sports

March 18, 2013, 7:39 pm sourced from feedproxy.google.com

For the second time in four years, the Sounders FC has been named among the top teams in sports by the Sports Business Journal for their annual Sports Business Awards.The Sounders are among the four finalists for the award, joining the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals.It marks the second time the Sounders have been finalists since they were first eligible for the 2010 awards, when they won the award for Professional Sports Team of the Year.Previous winners include the Boston Red Sox (2008), the Boston Celtics (2009), the Sounders FC (2010), the San Francisco Giants (2011) and last year the Boston Bruins.The awards will be announced May 22 at the Sports Business Awards 2013 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square.  Tickets and more information are available here. » read full article

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