Seattle Sounders FC defeat Chicago Fire Lamar Neagle scored for the second-straight game as Sounders FC (14-8-4, 46 points) defeated the Chicago Fire (10-11-5, 35 points), 2-1, Saturday night on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. A late own goal from Chicago proved to be the game winner as Seattle won its fourth straight match. Chicago scored first in the 25th minute when Dilly Duka played Mike Magee behind the defense for a one-on-one against Seattle keeper Michael Gspurning. Magee slotted his shot inside the far post for his league-leading 15th goal of the season. Magee suffered a first-half injury and was replaced by Juan Luis Anangono at halftime. Seattle equalized 15 minutes later when Marc Burch and Neagle connected for a goal in the second consecutive game. After a Mauro Rosales cross was pawed away by Chicago keeper Sean Johnson, Burch recovered the ball and found Neagle in the box for a first-time finish. It marked the seventh league goal and eighth across all competitions of the season for Neagle, tied for the team-lead in both. Burch's third assist matches his career high. The score remained 1-1 until the 89th minute when second-half substitute Zach Scott made a dangerous run up the left side and sent a cross that was deflected by Gonzalo Segares into the goal. It was the third own goal received on the season for Seattle, with the last two resulting in game-winners. Seattle was awarded a penalty kick in the 29th minutes after a Bakary Soumare hand ball in the box following a corner kick. Osvaldo Alonso's attempt was saved by a diving Sean Johnson. Seattle has now won four-straight games and seven out of the past eight. The 12-game (9-0-3) home unbeaten streak is a club record and matches the longest in MLS this season. Obafemi Martins finished with a game-high four shots, including two on goal. In the second minute, Martins managed a shot on frame after evading multiple defenders in the box. One minute later he bodied a Fire defender into the box for a shot that was saved. In the 83rd minute, Martins got off an open header that bounced just wide of the near post. Sounders FC returns to action on Friday with a home matchup against first-place Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field and will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
Seattle plays to a draw Eddie Johnson scored his eighth goal of the season as Sounders FC (15-8-5, 50 points) played to a 1-1 road draw with the LA Galaxy (13-10-6, 45 points) Saturday night at the StubHub Center. Mauro Rosales tied the franchise record for assists as Seattle extended its unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1). The Rave Green scored first in the 25th minute when Rosales' corner kick found a wide-open Johnson for a sharp near-post header into the back of the net. It marked the fourth time this season that Rosales assisted Johnson, and 10th all time. Johnson is now tied for the team-lead with eight goals on the season. Rosales' assist was his eighth of the season (leads team) and 34th career with Seattle, tying Fredy Montero's club record. The Galaxy equalized moments before the halftime whistle when Juninho put a free kick over the wall from the top of the box and into the corner of the net. Sounders FC maintains a two-point lead over Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference with two games in hand and has lost just once (8-1-2) in the past 11 games. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was crucial on the back line for Seattle, making a team-high seven interceptions and six clearances. The Colombian held Galaxy points leader Robbie Keane without a shot for just the third time in 2013. Adam Moffat made his Sounders FC debut when he came on for Andy Rose in the 65th minute. The former Houston Dynamo midfielder made two crucial clearances inside the box in stoppage time to preserve the draw. Seattle played second-half stoppage time with 10 men after Zach Scott was issued his second yellow card in the 90th minute. Sounders FC returns to action next Sunday with a home matchup against the New York Red Bulls. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Sounders FC lose to Colorado Rapids Eddie Johnson scored his ninth goal of the season as Sounders FC (15-9-6, 51 points) fell, 5-1, to the Colorado Rapids (13-9-9, 48 points) Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Four first-half goals fueled Colorado as they snapped Seattle's seven (5-0-2) match unbeaten streak. Sounders FC remains second in the Western Conference, one point behind Real Salt Lake with two games in hand. Seattle is tied for third in the Supporter's Shield standings, just two points behind the New York Red Bulls. Deshorn Brown scored the first of Colorado's four first-half goals moments after the opening kick when Gabriel Torres played him into the box and he finished from a tight angle past Michael Gspurning. Dillon Powers made it 2-0 nine minutes later when he found space in the box and headed in a Vicente Sanchez corner kick. Brown completed the brace in the 31st when he held off the Seattle defense at the edge of the box and finished into the back of the net for his ninth goal of the season. The Rapids made it 4-0 in the 41st minute when Drew Moor knocked in deflected Sanchez corner kick. Sounders FC got on the scoreboard in the 63rd minute when Marc Burch lobbed a ball over the defense to Johnson, who held off a defender and converted past Clint Irwin for his team-leading ninth goal of the season. It marked the fourth assist of the season for Burch, setting a new career-high. In second half stoppage time, Gabriel Torres gathered a ball from Martin Rivero on the right side of the box and rocketed a shot inside the far post to make it 5-1. The Rapids hit the woodwork twice on set pieces-a Sanchez 25-yard free kick in first-half stoppage time and a Martin Rivero 25-yard free kick in the 80th, the latter of which was tipped by Gspurning. Gspurning made consecutive point-blank saves in the 39th minute, first on a Sanchez shot in the box, then on Powers' rebound attempt. Johnson finished with a game-high six shots and four shots on goal. In the 52nd minute, DeAndre Yedlin got forward and crossed to Johnson in the box for a powerful header that was saved by Clint Irwin, who then saved Johnson's follow-up attempt while on his back. Dylan Remick made his MLS debut when he came on for Mauro Rosales in the 65th minute. In the 68th minute, his cross found Johnson for a header in the box that hit the crossbar. The loss snapped Seattle's seven (5-0-2) match unbeaten streak and gave them their first loss since August 17. Seattle's seven (6-0-1) match unbeaten streak against the Rapids was also snapped. Zach Scott was sent off in the 79th minute after picking up his second yellow card. Scott will serve a two-game suspension for the red card, as well as yellow card accumulation. Sounders FC returns to action on Wednesday with a home matchup with Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.
Sounders FC Topped by Michel, FC Dallas 2-0 Michel scored a goal and an assist as Sounders FC (15-12-6, 51 points) fell, 2-0, to FC Dallas (11-11-11, 44 points) Saturday at Toyota Stadium. Seattle remains fourth in the Western Conference and could still clinch a playoff berth this weekend with wins from the LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids. After over an hour of scoreless play, Matt Hedges put Dallas on the board in the 65th minute. Michel, who had come on as substitute seven minutes earlier, found Hedges in the box with a free kick and the defender headed it inside the near post. Michel made it 2-0 on a rebound in the 88th minute. David Ferreira took a shot from distance that deflected off a Seattle defender right to Michel in the box for a tap-in. Seattle was close to equalizing on a couple of occasions before the second Dallas goal. Moments after the first goal, Clint Dempsey played Brad Evans into the box behind the defense, but the shot rolled just wide of the post. In the 78th minute, Lamar Neagle beat a defender on the left side and sent a cross to David Estrada at the near post for a dangerous header, but Hedges cleared it off the line to preserve the lead. Clint Dempsey finished with a season-high six shots and nearly equalized in the 80th minute when he took a low free kick from 30 yards that rolled through the wall and barely wide of the near post. DeAndre Yedlin was dangerous coming forward, putting a shot on frame in the fifth minute after dribbling through the defense and crossing to an open Evans in the 52nd minute for a volley that sailed high. Seattle will conclude the 2013 MLS regular season next Sunday with a home match against the LA Galaxy.
Sigi Schmid staying put: Seattle Sounders owner Joe Roth calls him "the right man to lead our club" Sigi Schmid's job is safe. That was the crystal clear message from Seattle Sounders majority owner Joe Roth in a statement released by the club on Thursday. "After a thorough evaluation, there is no question that Sigi Schmid is the right man to lead our club," Roth said. "While we are not happy with the way we finished, Sigi's resume and accomplishments speak for themselves." The two-time MLS Coach of the Year's job security had been thrown into uncertainty after the Sounders flamed out of the playoffs in the Western Conference Semifinals, where they were ousted by archrival Portland Timbers 5-3 on aggregate. It was the culmination of a horrid end to the 2013 season in which Seattle finished winless in their last seven regular-season matches http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-sounders-owner-joe-roth-calls-him-right-man-
Seattle Sounders make midfielder Osvaldo Alonso a Designated Player with new contract The man who runs the Seattle Sounders midfield will now have the status and contract to match his on-field impact. The Sounders announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have signed midfielder Osvaldo Alonso to a new multi-year contract that makes him a Designated Player. His previous deal, which he signed in February 2011, was due to run out in 2014. "Ozzie is the ultimate competitor who has given everything to Sounders FC," Sounders owner and GM Adrian Hanauer said in a statement. "His passion for the game of soccer and his drive to be the best are validated by being named team MVP four consecutive seasons by his teammates. Ozzie is a key building block for our club and we are happy to sign him to a long-term contract extension." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...r-osvaldo-alonso-designated-player-new-contra
Seattle Sounders officially sign forward Kenny Cooper The Seattle Sounders have officially signed forward Kenny Cooper, the club announced Thursday. The Sounders held Cooper's rights after acquiring them from FC Dallas last week in exchange for midfielder Adam Moffat. Cooper, 29, has registered 72 goals and 16 assists in 188 career MLS appearances with Dallas (2006-09, 2013), the New York Red Bulls (2012) and the Portland Timbers (2011). He has also played in England, Portugal and Germany, and is a product of the Manchester United academy, but did not feature for the first team. At the international level, Cooper has four goals in 10 appearances with the US national team between 2007 and 2009. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...sounders-officially-sign-forward-kenny-cooper
Sounders haul in quartet of MLS Club and Executive Awards Found HERE on the Seattle Sounders Website. More can be found at the link given above the quote.
The battle in goal between veteran keeper Marcus Hahnemann and recently-acquired Stefan Frei. Hahnemann Image found at mlssoccer.com Frei image found at goalwa.files.wordpress.com For the first time in Sounders FC’s short MLS history, the team doesn’t have a penciled in starter at goalkeeper entering training camp. The competition between returning backup Marcus Hahnemann and newly acquired Stefan Frei is one of the key storylines to training camp as the Sounders get ready to head to Arizona on Wednesday. As Hahnemann notes, there are 39 more training sessions between now and the regular season opener against Sporting Kansas City on March 8. Over the course of those sessions, and the eight preseason matches on the schedule, a starter will be determined and whoever wins that competition is going to have a well-prepared backup pushing him for playing time. “There’s no pecking order anywhere really right now. We want to see how everybody comes along and develops,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “There are certain expectations that you have, but there are a lot of things ahead of us.” Last year, Hahnemann competed with incumbent starter Michael Gspurning for playing time, but Gspurning was coming off of a stellar first MLS season in 2012 and didn’t relinquish playing time until late in the year when Hahnemann got two starts in his place in the final month of the regular season. All told, Hahnemann played four matches, going 2-2-0 with a 1.00 goals against average and he came back for the 2014 season with an eye on the starting role. “I plan on playing. That’s my goal is to go and play,” he said. “The only thing I can do is work my (butt) off for the next 39 sessions and put myself in the situation like I think I did last year in the preseason. Everything’s a bit more open. We’ve got a lot of good competition, which is what you need and it’s going to make us all better.” Frei has spent the last five seasons with Toronto FC, but was limited by injuries over the last two years. In his first three years, he was 20-34-25 with 19 shutouts and a 1.55 goals against average for Toronto. He relishes the opportunity to train with Hahnemann, who has 20 seasons of professional experience in the U.S. and England. “I think it’s great. I’m going to try to learn as much off of him as I can,” Frei said. “He’s been with some of the top teams in the world and has tons of experience, so I will be watching closely.” Both keepers offer different strengths and weaknesses, but they hold one thing in common. They both can keep the ball out of the net and that’s something that will keep this competition alive throughout the preseason. “It’s always an open competition in the sense that you’re always going to play who is playing better,” Schmid said. “They’re just going to play and we’ll see how things come along.” Sounders FC will leave for Arizona on Wednesday and train in Tucson until February 9, playing four matches before returning to Seattle. [Article found at: http://www.soundersfc.com/news/articles/2014/01-january/goalkeeper-preseason-competition.aspx ]
Seattle Sounders claim former Chicago Fire midfielder Marco Pappa via allocation Marco Pappa won’t be going back to the only MLS club he’s ever known after all. The Seattle Sounders acquired the Guatemalan midfielder Friday by using their No. 1 allocation ranking after Pappa opted to return to MLS following one season with Dutch side SC Heerenveen. The Chicago Fire, where Pappa spent his first five seasons in the league, had expressed interest in brining the 26-year-old back but held the eighth allocation spot. Chicago manager Frank Yallop said Thursday that Seattle’s asking price to move up in the order was too steep. Pappa will be added to the roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...hicago-fire-midfielder-marco-pappa-allocation
2014 Seattle Sounders Preview: Pressure's on and the clock is ticking Stay the course: I asked our resident Sounders fan what he's most worried about this year. "Can they avoid the temptation to bring in a big midseason acquisition that screws up team chemistry?" Couldn't agree more, Ian. Seattle have as much talent as any team in the league, and need to give them time to marinate. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...k-ticking-armchair-analyst?module=from_footer
Seattle Sounders to end business partnership with Seahawks, will still play at CenturyLink Field The Seattle Sounders are going their own way. The club and the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, who have shared business operations since Seattle were admitted to MLS in 2007, announced Thursday that the Sounders will become independent from the Super Bowl champions beginning April 30. "This is a sensible business decision for our franchise," Sounders majority owner Joe Roth said in a statement. "Our vision is to grow our business to unprecedented levels both domestically and abroad. This move will position us to achieve that goal. The Seahawks have been vital to our early success and we thank Paul Allen and his organization for their support." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...artnership-seahawks-will-still-play-centuryli
Sounders to adapt without Dempsey in next two MLS matches After two matches, Sounders FC has had significant contributions from U.S. National Team captain Clint Dempsey. The Seattle forward has a hand in both of Seattle’s goals thus far, scoring one goal and assisting on the other. However, Sigi Schmid and the Sounders will have to find a way to cope without him for the next two matches as Dempsey has been suspended two matches by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for what was deemed violent conduct http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/league/files/imagecache/620x350/image_nodes/2013/08/Dempsey-2.jpg
Sounders 'highly likely' to field USL Pro team in 2015 GM Adrian Hanauer tells Don Ruiz that team will probably be owned and operated by Sounders and play at Starfire, at least to start. It appears the Seattle Sounders are poised to launch a USL Pro team in 2015 that will play its games at Starfire Sports Complex. This isn't necessarily a "new" development, but Sounders GM and part owner Adrian Hanauer made possibly his most firm statement on this possibility during an interview with Don Ruiz of the Tacoma News-Tribune. http://www.reddit.com/tb/21gxm8
Seattle Sounders FC win over FC Dallas Clint Dempsey scored twice, including the 85th minute game-winner, as Seattle Sounders FC (3-2-1, 10 points) beat league-leading FC Dallas (4-1-1, 13 points) on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium. Sounders FC improved to 2-0-1 on the road this season and currently sit in a three-way tie for second place in the Western Conference. Dempsey has recorded at least one point in all four appearances this season, totaling a league-high six goals with one assist. With five goals over the past two matches, Dempsey set the club record for most goals in back-to-back games. Dempsey netted the late winner when he attacked the box in the 85th minute and tapped the ball to Chad Barrett, who squared it back to Dempsey for a one-touch finish to secure the 3-2 victory. The assist marked the first of the season for Barrett, who has recorded one game-winning goal and one game-winning assist in 41 minutes of action. Dempsey scored Seattle's first goal of the match on a long-range free kick in the 22nd minute that caromed off the underside of the crossbar and across the goal line, bringing the game level at 1-1. Dempsey also contributed to the team's second goal when he played a ball across the box in the 75th minute that was deflected into the net by Stephen Keel for an own goal. Dallas began the scoring in the 10th minute when the ball bounced over Stefan Frei and was headed into an open net by David Texeira. In the 42nd minute, Dallas took the 2-1 lead with a converted penalty by Michel. DeAndre Yedlin received a caution for a foul in the box before Michel tucked the ball into the right post. Dempsey nearly scored in the 59th minute with a half-volley to the top right corner, but Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz tipped it away. Frei made a season-high six saves, including a one-handed stop in the 83rd minute on a strike by Texeira. Seattle's Kenny Cooper started in his first appearance against his former team. Former Sounders FC midfielder Adam Moffat appeared in the 79th minute to replace the injured Peter Luccin. Sounders FC visits Chivas USA next Saturday, April 19th. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at StubHub Center. Press release from the Seattle Sounders FC
Re: Seattle Sounders FC win over FC Dallas MLS Power Rankings, Week 9: Surging Seattle Sounders take over at No. 1 http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...eek-9-surging-seattle-sounders-take-over-no-1
Re: Seattle Sounders FC win over FC Dallas Sounders Reserves Defeat OC Blues Weaver scores only goal as Seattle takes victory Sunday, May 18, 2014 TUKWILA, Wash. – The Seattle Sounders Reserves took a 1-0 victory against the Orange County Blues FC on Sunday afternoon at Starfire Sports Complex. Cam Weaver scored the only goal of the game as the Sounders Reserves had the better of much of the game, and handed the Blues their seventh loss of the season. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/810141.html
Re: Seattle Sounders FC win over FC Dallas Galaxy II Hand Sounders 1st Loss Hoffman tallies second-half winner Seattle Sounders FC News Release - www.soundersfc.com Sunday, June 1, 2014 TUKWILA, Wash. - The Seattle Sounders FC Reserves suffered their first loss of the season, 1-0, against the LA Galaxy II on Sunday afternoon at Starfire Stadium. Chandler Hoffman scored the second-half game-winner for Los Angeles while Marcus Hahnemann made four saves for Sounders FC. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/813926.html
Re: Seattle Sounders FC win over FC Dallas Sounders Reserves Defeat Arizona Okoli has pair of goals as Seattle dents United's playoff hopes Monday, August 24, 2014 TUKWILA, Wash. -- Sean Okoli had two goals and an assist as the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves dealt a major blow to Arizona United SC's hopes of reaching the USL PRO Playoffs with a 5-1 victory at Starfire Sports Complex. Lamar Neagle, Tristan Bowen and Kenny Cooper were also on target for the Sounders Reserves as they snapped Arizona's three-game winning streak to take their third win in the MLS Reserve League this season. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/832240.html
Clint Dempsey and Jurgen Klinsmann preview US vs. Chile USMNT captain Clint Dempsey and USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann talk to the press ahead of the Jan. 28 friendly at Chile. VIDEO: http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2015/01/28/clint-dempsey-and-jurgen-klinsmann-preview-usa-vs-chile
