2005 Seattle Sounders Press Release Archive

Sounders Unveil 2005 Schedule
Posted 1/13/2005
(Seattle, Wash.) - - The Seattle Sounders today announced their 2005 United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division schedule. Featuring a single table format in 2005, each USL First Division opponent visits Seattle in a schedule highlighted by eight Saturday evening home matches.

The 2005 season kicks off on April 30, 2005 against the Portland Timbers at Qwest Field.

The Sounders play two televised matches against Northwest rivals on the newly named Fox Soccer Channel. The first televised match is July 8th in Seattle against the Portland Timbers; the second is July 29th in Vancouver against the Whitecaps.

The Sounders will compete in the newly constructed USL First Division, formerly the A-League. The Sounders play each opponent at least twice, once home, and once away. Remaining matches are scheduled with geographic rivals.

Scheduling notes:

# The Sounders play their first five matches of the 2005 season at home inside Qwest Field.

# The Sounders visit the defending A-League Champion Montreal Impact on July 3rd – last year the Sounders traveled to Montreal for the A-League Championship match and were defeated 2-0.

# A visit to Puerto Rico to face the Islanders highlights the Sounders longest road trip of the year in early September.

# Montreal visits Seattle on September 9th for the regular season home finale.

# Northwest rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers, roll into Seattle four times during the 2005 season. Vancouver faces Seattle on May 7th and June 25th while Portland pays a visit on opening night, April 30th, and July 8th.

U.S. Open Cup

In 2005, all USL First Division teams will automatically qualify for the U.S. Open Cup in 2005. Four USL First Division teams will enter the tournament in each of two consecutive rounds. Based on 2004 regular season results, Seattle, Charleston, Minnesota and Virgina Beach, will enter in the Second Round of the tournament on June 29th while Atlanta, Portland, Richmond and Rochester will receive byes into the Third Round, joining four Major League Soccer teams and eight Round Two winners on July 13th.

Playoffs

Per the restructuring guidelines, the USL First Division will have a six-team playoff field in 2005 with the #1 and #2 overall seeds receiving Round One byes. All playoff rounds, excluding the Championship Match on October 1st, will be two-legged aggregate score series.

2005 marks the third season the Sounders will call Qwest Field home. The Sounders played the inaugural event at Qwest Field, then Seahawks Stadium on July 28, 2002 against the Vancouver Whitecaps before nearly 26,000 people.

2005 season tickets are still available, starting as low as $140. Please contact the Sounders at (206) 622-3415 or order online at www.seattlesounders.net.

For details regarding the Sounders 2005 USL First Division schedule please visit www.seattlesounders.net.



2005 Schedule

April 30, Portland Timbers, 7 pm


May 7, Vancouver Whitecaps, 7 pm

May 14, Charleston Battery, 7 pm

May 21, Atlanta Silverbacks, 7 pm

May 25, Virginia Beach Mariners, 7 pm


June 3, @ Richmond Kickers, 4 pm

June 4, @ Virginia Beach Mariners, 4:30 pm

June 17, Rochester Raging Rhinos, 7 pm

June 25, Vancouver Whitecaps, 7 pm

June 26, @ Vancouver Whitecaps, 7 pm


July 2, @ Minnesota Thunder, 5 pm

July 3, @ Montreal Impact, 4 pm

July 8, Portland Timbers, 8 pm (Fox Soccer Channel)

July 10, @ Minnesota Thunder, 4:05 pm

July 15, @Rochester Raging Rhinos, 4:35 pm

July 16, @ Toronto Lynx, 4:30 pm

July 23, Minnesota Thunder, 7 pm

July 27, Toronto Lynx, 7 pm

July 29, @ Vancouver Whitecaps, 8 pm (Fox Soccer Channel)


August 6, Minnesota Thunder, 7 pm

August 7, @Portland Timbers, 3 pm

August 13, Richmond Kickers, 7 pm

August 20, @Portland Timbers, 7 pm

August 26, Puerto Rico Islanders, 7 pm


September 2, @ Charleston Battery, 4:30 pm

September 4, @ Atlanta Silverbacks, 3:30 pm

September 6, @ Puerto Rico Islanders, 5:30 pm

September 9, Montreal Impact, 7 pm 

SEATTLE SOUNDERS DRAFT TWO LOCAL UNIVERSITY PROSPECTS IN UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES 1ST DIVISION COLLEGE DRAFT 
Posted 1/19/2005
(Seattle, WA) – The Seattle Sounders selected two Seattle area university prospects in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) 1st Division college draft held via conference call from the league's headquarters in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday.

Seattle selected Brett Wiesner of the University of Washington in the 1st round and Jeremiah Doyle (pictured) of Seattle University in the 2nd round.

Wiesner, a 5-11, 150 lb. forward was a four-year starter at the University of Washington. Appearing in 66 games he tallied 15 goals and added five assists during his tenure. Named to multiple All-Pac-10 Teams, Wiesner brings a fiery presence to the Sounders offensive attack.

Jeremiah Doyle, a recent graduate of Seattle University, was a dominating 6-5 presence in net for the Redhawks. The Vancouver, Washington native started 84 games in his college career and helped Seattle University win the 2004 NCAA Division II men’s soccer national title. He posted an overall record of 53-23-9 while registering 27 shutouts in route to a 1.01 goals against average.

USL First Division clubs have until February 1, 2005 to conduct compensation negotiations and sign the player to a USL First Division contract.

The Sounders 2005 season kicks off on April 30th when the Portland Timbers visit Qwest Field at 7 pm. Season tickets and ticket packages are now on sale by calling 206 622.3415 or by visiting www.seattlesounders.net. 

2005 US OPEN CUP FORMAT UNVEILED, SOUNDERS TO ENTER TOURNAMENT IN 2ND ROUND
Posted 2/3/2005
(SEATTLE, WA) - The Seattle Sounders will enter the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the 2nd round of play on June 29th. All eight U.S. based United Soccer Leagues First Division teams will participate in the Open Cup, entering the tournament based on 2004 regular season league results.
After several years of success, the Sounders failed to qualify for the 2004 Open Cup, getting knocked out of the tournament by the Portland Timbers.
The 2003 tournament saw the Sounders advance to the quarterfinals before being defeated by the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. Earlier that year in Open Cup play, the Sounders defeated Landon Donovan, Brian Ching and the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, in a dramatic match at Husky Soccer Field.
A total of 42 teams – 26 professional and 16 amateur – will compete in the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as it kicks off in June. After 40 teams participated in the prestigious tournament in 2004, two expansion Major League Soccer teams have been added to the fray in 2005, bringing the total number of teams to its highest level since MLS began participating in the event in 1996.
The U.S. Open Cup, which is recognized as U.S. Soccer’s National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.
The addition of the two expansion Division I teams has led to the creation of a qualifying round prior to the first round. In the qualifying round, four amateur teams will face off as two of the United States Adult Soccer Association’s regional second-place qualifiers will face two second-place teams from the Premier Development League of the United Soccer Leagues. The qualifying round will be determined by a random draw after teams are paired geographically.
Qualifying is slated to be completed by May 30, with the pairings announcement expected on June 1. The defending champion Kansas City Wizards enter the tournament on Aug. 3 in the fourth round. The semifinals will be played Sept. 14, with the final being played on Sept. 28.
After the Qualifying Round on June 8, the first round will be played on June 15 with the remaining 12 qualifiers from the USASA and PDL, as well as two USL Second Division teams joining the qualifying winners. The winners of those games advance to the second round to face four teams from the USL Second Division and four from the USL First Division. In the third round, the four remaining USL First Division teams join the fray along with four MLS teams. The final eight MLS teams join in the fourth round.
Within the U.S. Open Cup framework, teams compete in one of the following four categories: professional outdoor Division I (Major League Soccer), Division II (USL First Division) or Division III (USL Second Division); or Amateur Division (USL Premier Development League & U.S. Adult Soccer Association).
The U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament, with drawn games being decided by two 15-minute overtime halves. If neither team scores during the two overtime halves, the winner is decided on penalty kicks. The team that advances the furthest from each level except Division I earns a $10,000 cash prize. The runner-up takes home $50,000, while the champion collects $100,000. The winner also will have the team’s name engraved on the historic Dewar Cup, the oldest trophy in American team sports that is housed in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.

TWO SOUNDERS HEADING TO MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TRAINING CAMPS
Posted 2/8/2005
(Seattle, WA) – Two Seattle Sounders, midfielder Leighton O’Brien and defender Danny Jackson (pictured), were invited to Major League Soccer (MLS) training camps, it was announced today. O’Brien is currently training with Real Salt Lake (recent MLS expansion club) and Jackson joins the Kansas City Wizards this weekend.

“Both Leighton and Danny are exceptional talents, I’m not surprised MLS took notice of them and invited them to train with their teams,” said Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer.

O’Brien, a Sounder in 2001-2002, spent the last two seasons with Swedish club, Boden. In 2002, the Sounders captain was named A-League Most Valuable Player, leading the Sounders to the 3rd best record in league history at 23-4-1. The Tacoma native was originally drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS.

Real Salt Lake head coach John Ellinger requested O’Brien join their training sessions in Bradenton, FL.

Born in Leeds, England, Jackson has been a stalwart on the Sounders defense over the past two seasons. Coming to the Sounders from the Colorado Rapids of MLS, Jackson was voted to All-League teams in the past two years and was named the Sounders Defensive Player of the Year in 2003.

Both O’Brien and Jackson are under contract for the Sounders 2005 season.

The Sounders 2005 season kicks-off on April 30th when the Portland Timbers visit Seattle. For information on season tickets or ticket packages call 206 622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net. 

SOUNDERS SUPPORTERS GROUP TO HOLD FIRST ANNUAL WINTER SOCCER PARTY ON FEBRUARY 19TH
Posted 2/11/2005
(Seattle, WA) - The Emerald City Supporters, a Seattle Sounders fan driven supporters club, today announced the 1st Annual Winter Soccer Party, to be held at Kells Irish Restaurant on February 19th at 6:30 pm.

Join hosts, the Emerald City Supporters, Kells and the Sounders for food, game highlight tapes, giveaways and the chance to meet Sounders players and coaches.

For more information on the Emerald City Supporters visit www.soundercentral.com and for directions to Kells Pub visit www.kellsirish.com/seattle/index.php or call 206.728.1916.

Stay up to date on the latest Sounders news at www.seattlesounders.net 

SOUNDERS ANNOUNCE 2005 PRE-SEASON EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Posted 2/18/2005
(Seattle, WA)- The Seattle Sounders today announced their pre-season U.S. Bank exhibition schedule beginning in early April at Pop Keeney Field in Bothell. The pre-season schedule will take the Sounders all over the Northwest, including Canada.

The 2005 pre-season kicks off April 2nd against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Pop Keeney Field in Bothell at 7 pm. The match is hosted by the Northshore Youth Soccer Association; for directions and ticket information visit www.northshoresoccer.org.

The remaining pre-season schedule includes two games against USL 1st Division rivals, the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

On April 9th the Sounders travel to Portland, Oregon for a match against the Timbers starting at 7 pm at PGE Park. For more game information visit www.portlandtimbers.com

The Sounders will be in Chilliwack, B.C. on April 16th to play against the Vancouver Whitecaps, game begins at 7 pm. For more match information visit www.whitecapssoccer.com

The following day, on April 17th the Sounders will travel to Mt. Vernon, WA to take on the Washington State U-23 Selects at Mt. Vernon High School. Kick off is at 5 pm. This event is hosted by the Washington State Soccer Association, visit www.wssa.org for more information.

On April 23rd the Sounders will play at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. The opponent for the 7 pm kick off is still to be determined. For continuing information on this game visit www.seattlesounders.net

The final pre-season game, on April 24th will be held at French Field in Kent, WA at 5 pm. The Sounders will play the Liga Hispana All- Stars. For more information visit the game-day host, Kent Youth Soccer Association’s website at www.kysa.org

The Sounders 2005 regular season begins April 30th against the Portland Timbers at Qwest Field, match begins at 7 pm.

For more information on ticket prices and directions visit the respective host’s website or the Sounders at www.seattlesounders.net or call 206.622.3415. 

SEATTLE SOUNDERS TO HOST ENGLISH CLUB SUNDERLAND ON JULY 20 AT QWEST FIELD
Posted 2/21/2005
(Seattle, Wash.) – The Seattle Sounders Professional Soccer Club will play English League Championship Club, Sunderland AFC, in an exhibition match on July 20th at Qwest Field, it was announced today. The match kicks off at 7 pm (PT).

Sunderland AFC is currently in third position in the English League Championship, Coca-Cola 1st Division. The top three finishers in the division are promoted to the English Premier League (EPL) which features internationally recognized franchises such as, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Sounder connection to Sunderland dates back 25 years to defender Shawn Elliott. Elliott played for the Sounders in 1980 on a trip over from Sunderland. He made over 350 international appearances and 11 goals in his European career. He was the anchor of Sunderland’s defense that was undefeated at home in 1979-80. Elliott signed with the Sounders in January of 1979 and made 23 appearances with the team.

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer: “We certainly look forward to playing Sunderland. It will be a great test for our guys and it will also give the people of Seattle a great chance to experience top quality English soccer.”

Sunderland Manager Mick McCarthy (pictured): "We traveled to the USA for pre-season last year and it was great preparation for the season. The warm weather is perfect for training and the different environment is good for everyone.

“We’re really looking forward to visiting the three clubs and I’m sure they’ll give us a good work out in preparation for the new season.”

Tickets for the match cost $12 for general admission or $17 for reserved seating. Individual tickets go on sale to the public March 15th through Ticketmaster – (206) 628.0888.

Current Sounder season ticket holders have until March 15th to purchase their existing seats for the Sunderland match.

Group tickets (15 or more) may be purchased by calling the Sounders box office – 206 622.3415 extension 122. Fans purchasing a group of 15 or more tickets for the Sunderland match will receive the equivalent number of tickets, free of charge, for the next Sounders match on July 27th against the Toronto Lynx.

In addition to regular seating, a limited number of $50 VIP tickets will be available (on-sale March 15th). The VIP ticket will include a reserved seat to the match, (season ticket holders who purchase VIP tickets will be seated in their current seats) a 30 minute meet and greet with Sunderland players and managers prior to game-time, on-field credentials to watch warm-ups, and a soccer souvenir.

Special ticket offers beginning February 21, 2005: Sunderland ticket included in purchase or renewal of Sounder season ticket (general admission or reserved...Four season tickets = four Sunderland tickets.

Purchase or renew a minimum of two flex packs (general admission or reserved) and receive one Sunderland ticket free of charge – Two flex packages = one Sunderland ticket.

In addition to the match in Seattle, Sunderland AFC will play two other pre-season matches in Vancouver, B.C., against the Vancouver Whitecaps, and in Portland, OR against the Timbers.

For more information about the Sunderland match or about the Sounders 2005 season which opens on April 30th, visit www.seattlesounders.net or call (206) 622-3415. 

FORMER UW DEFENSIVE STANDOUT RE-SIGNS FOR 2nd SEASON WITH THE SOUNDERS
Posted 2/23/2005
(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Sounders announced today the re-signing of midfielder/ defender Billy Sleeth. The 6-0, 170 pound Sleeth returns to the Sounders after registering two goals and two assists in 2004.

Prior to joining the Sounders, Sleeth was a member of the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS). Sleeth’s 2003 Season was cut short when he suffered a broken foot in pre-season play. Never fully recovering, Sleeth was plagued by reoccurring foot injuries, eventually causing him to miss the entire 2003 season.

Originally drafted as the 10th overall pick by the Chicago Fire (MLS) in the 2002 MLS Draft, Sleeth saw time in 13 games, starting seven and registering one assist.

The 2001 season saw Sleeth with the former Seattle Sounders Select (United Soccer Leagues-Premier Development League) team that upset Dallas Burn (MLS) in the 2001 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Sleeth ended the year with three goals and one assist for the 15-5-0 Selects.

A four year starter at the University of Washington, Sleeth earned All-Pac 10 honors his junior year. The tenacious defender secured a strong defense throughout his Husky career.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer on Billy Sleeth’s return to the Sounders, “Billy fits in well with all the guys, he is hardworking both in practice and in matches. He is an excellent skill player with outstanding technical ability and on top of that, he’s an incredible athlete. He also has a bit of an edge which suits my style of play. We look forward to having him back this year, healthy and ready to go.”

Already in Seattle, Sleeth joins the rest of the Sounders in early April as training camp begins. The Sounders season opener is April 30th at Qwest Field. The match kicks off at 7 pm (PT) against the Portland Timbers.

For more information call (206) 622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net

Seattle Sounder’s Leighton O’Brien Signs with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer: Exhibition Match Scheduled May 11th Between Seattle and RSL
Posted 3/29/2005
(Seattle, WA)- Today the Seattle Sounders announced midfielder Leighton O’Brien signed with Major League Soccer’s (MLS) 2005 expansion team, Real Salt Lake (RSL). O’Brien, the 2002 A-League Most Valuable Player was under contract for one more year (2005) with the Sounders.

As part of the compensation for O’Brien, the agreement between the two teams includes RSL traveling to Seattle on May 11th to play an exhibition match at Qwest Field at 7pm (PT).

The 29-year old was in his last year of a three-year deal with the Sounders before signing with RSL. In 27 games played, O’Brien netted 13 goals and 11 assists during the 2002 season. He competed in three matches for Seattle in 2003 before he was loaned to Boden BK, a second-division team in Sweden, for two seasons where he played along side current RSL defender Brian Dunseth during the 2004 season.

O’Brien missed most of the 2004 season with Boden due to a nagging groin injury and went to RSL’s camp still feeling the effects. He is now healthy and ready to contribute to RSL’s inaugural season, starting April 2nd.

The Tacoma, Washington native, an eight-year pro, agreed to a one-year deal with Real. O’Brien returns to MLS after a short stint with San Jose in 1999.

Real selected another local talent, 16-year-old Nik Besagno in the first round of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. Besagno grew up in Maple Valley and played at Kennedy High School. Clint Mathis and Eddie Pope, both members of the U.S. National Team, will be coming to Seattle along with Leighton O’Brien and Real in May for the exhibition match.

"Leighton has been an impact player at multiple levels; we think he is poised to play a significant role in Real Salt Lake's midfield in 2005 and beyond. We are excited to have him back in MLS." Real Salt Lake’s General Manager, Steve Pastorino on Leighton’s signing with the first year MLS team.

"Real Salt Lake is excited to come to Seattle in May to take on one of the most storied names in American soccer - the Sounders. It will represent our first game against a United Soccer Leagues 1st Division opponent, and we look forward to a spirited battle."

O’Brien has been in RSL for training camp since February 1st. 

Seattle Sounder Update/ Exhibition Match Saturday
Posted 3/30/2005
(Seattle, WA) – The Seattle Sounders will begin preparations for the 2005 season with the opening of training camp on Friday, April 1st at Starfire Sports Complex.

Training sessions begin at 10 a.m. and conclude daily at 12 noon, Monday through Friday. Sounders players and coaching staff will be available to the media immediately following each training session.

The Sounders, who finished 2004 as the Western Conference Champions at 13-11-4, will have the majority of last season’s lineup in camp, with several local and out-of-state palyers contending for the few remaining roster spots.

The Sounders hosted open tryouts last weekend (March 19th and 20th). A total of 90 men from around the country and over seas participated in the two day, six hour tryout session.

The process consisted of two full size games. Four players from the pool were invited to participate in invitational tryouts. Invitational tryouts begin March 28th.

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said “I am impressed with the overall quality of this weekends tryouts. The talent level was higher then the last two years. We had guys come in from the Netherlands, England and all over the country including two African players. The diversity of the group speaks volumes for our organization and our team.”

This week’s invitational tryouts are for previous Major League Soccer players, college players from around the country and local talent. More than 20 people are expected to attend.

Exhibition Match Schedule:

April 2nd @ Pop Keeney vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs – 7pm

April 9th @ PGE Park vs. Portland Timbers – 7pm

April 16th @ Chilliwack, B.C. vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – 7pm

April 17th @ Mount Vernon High School vs. WSSA U23 – 5pm

April 24th @ French Field, Kent vs. Liga Hispana – 5pm

The Sounders begin regular season play on April 30th against the Portland Timbers at 7pm at Qwest Field. For a complete 2005 schedule, ticket information and continuous roster updates visit www.seattlesounders.net or call 206.622.3415. 

SOUNDERS COMPLETE DAY ONE OF TRAINING CAMP AT STARFIRE SPORTS COMPLEX
Posted 4/2/2005
(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Sounders concluded their first day of training camp Friday in preparation for the 2005 campaign, with 27 players participating in the opening training session of the season.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer said “today was supposed to be a light day, but the tempo and spirit was high because players really missed the competitiveness of the game.”

RETURNING PLAYERS

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer on Danny Jackson, “Danny was officially named team captain today, the first day of camp. He is a natural leader, respected by all the players and unanimously voted captain by the coaches to lead the team in 2005.”

Schmetzer on goalkeeper Preston Burpo, “Preston was flying around the goal like a 21 year old fresh out of college. He looks extremely sharp considering it was the first day of official training.”

Coach Schmetzer on rookie C.J. Klaas, “C.J. is a highly decorated rookie, demonstrating soccer skills and understanding that he is a rookie. He has gladly accepted the responsibilities of “rookie chores” including picking up equipment. C.J. comes to the Sounders after an impressive University of Washington career and we look for great things from him.”

DON'T I KNOW YOU?

Several players arrived at camp today who were invited to train with the Sounders first team. Three invitee’s arrive from open tryouts held two weeks ago and three players were invited from college week, including Franklin Chacon from Costa Rica, Jacob Besagno of Seattle University and Brett Weisner from University of Washington.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer on Franklin Chacon, “Frank traveled from Costa Rica to participate in tryouts for the Sounders. He did extremely well down the left side and has potential to play left midfield.”

Schmetzer on Jacob Besagno, “Jacob is the older brother of Nic Besagno, who was the Major League Soccer’s number one draft choice in 2005. He is a recent Seattle University graduate and had continued to impress.”

Coach Schmetzer on Brett Weisner, “Brett was the number one draft choice from the University of Washington in 2005. He has been showing form that made him a regular on the Under–17 National Team.”

EXHIBITION MATCH TOMORROW, APRIL 2nd

The roster for tomorrow’s game features several 2005 Sounder contract players as well as invitee from open tryouts and college week.

# Jordan Inoye – Seattle University

# Jacob Besagno – Seattle University

# Jeremy Milsten – Western Washington

# Skylar Nelson – Creighton

# Danny Jackson – Sounders/ UNC

# Zach Scott – Sounders/ Gonzaga

# Luc Harrington – UC Riverside

# Brent Whitfield – CSU Riverside

# Kevin Sakuda – Sounders/ Duke

# CL Klaas – UW

# Jose Abarca – El Paso

# Elliot Fauske – Seattle University

# Brett Weisner – UW

# Edwin Ruiz – Hartwick

# Ryan Hopp – Western Washington

# Preston Burpo - Sounders

BOTHELL, WA – Following just their second day of training camp, the Seattle Sounders hosted the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Pop Keeney Stadium Saturday night in an exhibition match in front of well over 2,000 fans.

Being the first exhibition match of the season, the Sounders took the opportunity to field mostly young players looking for roster spots. In fact, the only roster players starting for the Sounders were midfielders Andrew Gregor, Kevin Sakuda and C.J. Klaas. Gonzaga took the game to the Sounders and came out with a 2-1 victory.

During the first 15 minutes, both teams had difficultly controlling the ball on the fast, wet turf at Pop Keeney Stadium. As the game progressed, however, the Bulldogs began to assert themselves and work the midfield with some smart combination play. Gonzaga midfielder John Palladino was particularly effective in distributing the ball and putting the young Seattle defense under pressure. The Bulldogs were rewarded for the efforts with a goal at the 14-minute mark.

Gonzaga moved the ball quickly through the midfield before Palladino played a great ball through to forward Luke Miller inside the 18-yard box. Miller hit a hard, low shot that Sounder goalkeeper James Ward stopped with a great reaction save. The rebound bounced out to Gonzaga midfielder Ben Sawyer whose left-footed shot came off the crossbar and was accidentally pushed into the open goal by Sounders defender Skylar Nelson.

The goal brought the game to life, but Seattle was unable to create any significant scoring chances in the first half as the Gonzaga defense had little problem with all the long balls being sent their way. The Bulldogs controlled most of the play through the midfield and were a constant threat to the Sounders defense.

Taking a shock 1-0 deficit into halftime, Seattle regrouped in the second half and found the equalizer in the 55th minute.

Forward Ryan Hopp brought down a superb long ball from Skylar Nelson between two Gonzaga defenders and calmly settled at the edge of the 18 before ripping a low drive past goalkeeper Vito Higgins into the far corner.

Ten minutes later, the Sounders thought they had taken the lead but Jordan Inoye was ruled offside after tapping a Luc Harrington free kick into the Gonzaga goal.

Seattle had another great chance in the 77th when Harrington headed a corner kick past the goalkeeper Higgins but the ball was headed off the line by Gonzaga defender Scott Campbell.

With both teams trading scoring chances, Gonzaga took the lead in the 79th when substitute Steve Owens rifled a close-range shot on goal that Ward saved, but the ball bounced over the far post to a completely unmarked Ben Sawyer who one-timed his shot into the open goal.

For the remaining 10 minutes, the Sounders applied constant pressure searching for the tying goal, but the Bulldogs withstood the pressure to preserve a well-earned victory over the inexperienced Sounder side.

Seattle Sounders Fall to Portland Timbers 2-1 in Preseason Match Up: Sounders Travel to Vancouver on Saturday for Third Exhibition Match of 2005
Posted 4/10/2005
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Seattle Sounders fell to the Portland Timbers 2-1 in the second preseason exhibition match for Seattle before 3,262 fans Saturday night at PGE park.
The preseason friendly marked the second exhibition match of the season for the Sounders, who travel to Chilliwack, BC to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, April 16th at 7pm.
Scott Jenkins (pictured) scored an unassisted goal for the Sounders while Scot Thompson and Luc Harrington tallied for Portland.

Thompson put the Timbers on the board first, capitalizing on a corner kick from Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar in the 23rd minute. Alcaraz-Cuellar teed up the corner from the right side and found a waiting Thompson, who headed the well-placed ball past Seattle goalkeeper James Ward for the 1-0 advantage.

The Sounders equalized in the second half when Scott Jenkins launched a free kick from just outside the box into the back of the net. The kick was awarded to the Sounders after Portland goalkeeper Sam Reynolds drew a red card ejection for handling the ball outside of the penalty area.

Joe Beytebiere, a trialist Portland training camp, nearly put the Timbers back on top in the ensuing minutes, but missed his attempt high over the
crossbar.

It turned out to be another trial player, Harrington, who struck for the game winner, taking a touch from Ben DeSanno and flipping it over the head of the
Seattle 'keeper to secure the 2-1 decision. Seattle's Shawn Percell almost tallied early on in the 10th minute of play, letting loose on a shot from 10 yards out that ricocheted downward off the cross bar, nearly over the goal line.

SCORING SUMMARY: Thompson, 23' (Alcaraz-Cuellar); Jenkins, 62' (UA); Harrington,
78' (DeSanno).
PENALTY SUMMARY: SEA Edwards, YC (72'); POR Reynolds, RC (72').
LINEUPS:

SEATTLE: Ward GK, Sakuda D (Edwards 45'), Nelson D, Scott D (Klass 45'),

Jenkins D, Whitfield M (Bellall 65'), Hudson M (Brown 57'), Tomlinson M (Fauske

39'), Purcell M, Wiesner F, Hopp F;

PORTLAND: J. Saunders GK (Reynolds 45', J.

Saunders 59'), Morrison D, Wilkinson D, Thompson D, Alcaraz-Cuellar M, S.

Saunders M, Poltl M (Miranda 45'), Higgins M (Arzate 45'), Benedetti M, Afash F

(DeSanno 65'), Beytebiere F (Harrington 65'). 

University of Washington Standout and 2004 Sounders Midfielder Ben Somoza has Re-Signed with the Sounders
Posted 4/14/2005
(Seattle, WA)- The Seattle Sounders today announced they have reached an agreement with midfielder Ben Somoza.

As a 2004 Sounder, Somoza played in 13 regular season games and all play off games, recording two goals and two assists.

Somoza joined the Sounders midway through the 2003 season. Playing in five games and recording two shots.

As a Husky, Somoza led his team in points with 17 in his senior season with five goals and seven assists. In his final two collegiate seasons he scored a combined 11 goals.

Somoza was named to the All Pac-10 team in both his junior and senior seasons.

After graduation, Somoza was drafted in the second round of the 2002 A-League Draft by the Portland Timbers.

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer on Somoza's re-signing, “we’re happy to have Benny’s contract negotiation behind us and have him join his teammates in camp.”

Injuries Sideline Sounders Early in 2005: Danny Jackson and Craig Tomlinson out for the Season
Posted 4/15/2005
(Seattle, WA)- The Seattle Sounders today announced that both veterans Danny Jackson and Craig Tomlinson(pictured) have suffered ACL injuries and will be sidelined for the 2005 season.

Jackson, 25, learned Tuesday morning during exploratory surgery that the ACL on his right knee was completely torn. Team doctor Steven Bramwell then performed reconstructive surgery, which could sideline Jackson for the entire season.

The two-year starter and 2005 team captain also suffered a second-degree MCL sprain when he was injured in an April 2nd practice.

"This preseason is definitely more disappointing, because of the injuries we've had," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. "You have to accept injuries as part of what we do, but it's still disappointing. To have someone of Danny Jackson's caliber as both a person and a player, it puts big-time strife on your season from the start."

The Sounders received news Tuesday of another injured players, when an MRI showed that veteran forward Craig Tomlinson also suffered a torn ACL in Saturday's exhibition loss to the Portland Timbers and will be out for the season as well.

Tomlinson, a fan favorite because of his quickness and agility, is scheduled for reconstructive surgery on his left knee on April 22. It will be his third surgery — he had surgeries in 2000 and 2001 to repair meniscus tears.

Other Sounders Notes:

Forward Welton Melo, who led the team with 12 goals in 2004, recently resolved work visa clearance issues and is due to join the team Tuesday.

Forward Roger Levesque, who registered nine goals and six assists in 2004, should join the team before its April 30 season opener at home after being on loan for a third season from the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. 

Seattle Sounders Defeated by Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0
Posted 4/17/2005
(Chilliwack, BC) – The Seattle Sounders faced off against I-5 rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps in Chilliwack, BC in front of over 2,000 fans on a rainy Saturday night. The Sounders fell 1-0 to an experienced Whitecaps team.

The Sounders will host the Washington State Soccer Association (WSSA) Under-23 Men’s team tomorrow (April 17th) at Mt. Vernon High School at 5pm.

Striker Carlo Corazzin netted the game's only goal in the 16th minute. The Cap's pre-season record finishes at a perfect 4-0-0.

Goalkeepers Mike Franks and Josh Wicks shared the shutout, playing a half each. They had little to do though as the Whitecaps did a good job limiting Seattle 's scoring chances. 

SOUNDERS CRUISE TO 4-1 VICTORY AGAINST WSSA U-23s
Posted 4/18/2005
(MOUNT VERNON, WA) – The Seattle Sounders traveled to Mt. Vernon High School for an exhibition match Sunday evening against the Washington State Soccer Association (WSSA) U-23 team and put on a great show for the local fans, punctuated by three second half goals, on their way to their first victory of the preseason.

Several members of the Sounders suited up for the short-handed U-23 squad, including Ryan Hopp, Skylar Nelson and Jacob Besagno, but the Sounders nonetheless dominated as they outshot the WSSA team 17-7.

The Sounders played a patient first half – moving the ball around calmly as they looked for the seams in the WSSA defense. Seattle’s tactics led to several decent chances, but never tested WSSA goalkeeper Jimmy Ward until the 30th minute, when he sprawled to knock away a shot by Sounders forward Shawn Percell from 18 yards out. Though Seattle dominated possession in the first half, the WSSA team held firm defensively to keep the game scoreless.

Though the U-23 squad spent much of the first half chasing Seattle, their defensive determination paid off when they capitalized on a Sounders defensive miscue in the 41st minute. Midfielder Kevin Sakuda (pictured) misplayed a back pass to his goalkeeper, which sent WSSA forward Ryan Hopp in alone on goal. Hopp coolly slotted his shot past ‘keeper Aron Hyde and into the far corner to put the U-23 team ahead 1-0.

The Sounders responded less than three minutes later when Percell made a strong run into the box with the ball and was brought down by WSSA defender Jacob Besagno. Andrew Gregor buried the resulting penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1.

Ten minutes into the second half, Seattle broke the stalemate with a nicely worked goal. Sakuda sent in a nice cross, which was headed across goal by Percell. The ball quickly came back across and fell to midfielder Anthony Hudson, who laid it off for Elliott Fauske to stroke the ball in from 15 yards for a 2-1 Sounders lead.

The Sounders appeared to have the game in hand until a questionable decision by referee Jeff Hosking gave the WSSA team a chance to equalize. WSSA midfielder El-Hadji Sow made an excellent individual effort to get past two Sounders with the ball before going down in the box without any noticeable contact, and a penalty kick was awarded. Sow stepped up to take the penalty kick but was turned away by a superb save from Hyde, who dove low to his left to preserve the lead.

Seattle dominated the remainder of the match – demonstrated by two fine goals from midfielders Ben Somoza and C.J. Klaas. Somoza scored when he carried the ball unchallenged to the top of the 18-yard box before ripping a left-footed drive inside the far post for a 3-1 lead at the 88th minute.

Two minutes later, midfielder Billy Sleeth knocked down a ball for Klaas who hammered a half volley past Ward to ice the game.

The Sounders’ next exhibition match is Sunday, April 24, at French Field in Kent at 5 p.m. against La Liga Hispana.

LINEUPS

SOUNDERS: Aron Hyde, Kevin Sakuda (C.J. Klaas – 59), Dwayne Demmins, Ryan Edwards (Taylor Graham – 45), Scott Jenkins (Zach Scott – 45), Elliott Fauske, Chad Brown (Billy Sleeth – 45), Anthony Hudson, Andrew Gregor (Ben Somoza – 45), Brett Weisner, Shawn Percell.

WSSA U-23s: Jimmy Ward, Jacob Besagno, Skylar Nelson, George Singh, Tim Tilbury (Juan Failardo – 31), Jakob Kayser, Ross Vaillancourt (El-Hadji Sow – 45), Casey Armstrong (Grant Sterlay – 45), Gavin Hobbs (Jesse Whellock – 31), Dayo Oyetuga (Jay Voss – 31), Ryan Hopp. 

SOUNDERS TO PLAY U20 NATIONAL TEAM, APRIL 25, 7PM, HUSKY SOCCER FIELD - TICKETS SELLING QUICKLY
Posted 4/18/2005
(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Sounders play an exhibition match, Monday, April 25th at Husky Soccer Field against the United States Under 20 Men’s National Team featuring Freddy Adu (pictured), Eddie Gaven and Danny Szetela. Kick off is set for 7pm (PT).

The U20’s are in Holland until April 20th on a three game tour before heading to Seattle to take on the Sounders. In June, the Under- 20’s will travel back to Holland to compete in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. The Seattle Match will help the Under-20's prepare for their challenging group play in Holland.

Currently, Adu, Gaven and Szetela are not on the roster for the Holland matches. US Soccer lists them as 'scheduled to appear in Seattle'.

Tickets for this match are selling quickly - get yours today by calling 206.622.3415. Due to the seating restrictions at Husky Soccer Field, the Sounders will only be offering two ticket prices; a limited number of tickets in a $25 premium area and general admission tickets for $15.

Freddy Adu, Major League Soccer (MLS) standout, was one of two D.C. United players to see time in every match during the 2004 campaign. Comfortable in either the forward or attacking midfield role, Adu became the youngest player ever to appear in a Major League Soccer match on April 3, 2004 and became the youngest player ever to score a goal in League play on April 17, 2004.

He was also named a commissioner's pick to the 2004 Sierra Mist All-Star Game and continued to improve throughout the year, tallying a total of five goals and three assists.

Adu was selected by D.C United as the first overall pick of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft on January 16, 2004. United acquired the first draft pick by trading future considerations to the Dallas Burn.

Eddie Gaven, current Metrostar midfielder tallied seven goals and seven assists in the 2004 season.

In 2003 Gaven shattered MetroStars records throughout his first campaign with the "Red and Black." He became the youngest player in MetroStars history and second youngest in league history at 16. He made his debut on 6/14/03 vs. Chicago. Becoming the youngest player in team history and second youngest in MLS history.

A member of the U.S. U-20, U-23 and the Full National Teams during the 2003 calendar year, Gaven was also called into play at 17 years of age. He became the youngest player ever to appear on a U.S. Olympic Qualifying Team, passing fellow New Jersey native and former MetroStars Claudio Reyna. He played every minute for the U.S. U-17 squad at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Finland 2003, helping the team to a Quarterfinal berth in the prestigious tournament.

Danny Szetela is currently a midfielder for the Columbus Crew. In 2005 he has played in two games.

As a member of the Under- 20's, Szetela has played in 10 matches (third most of any player), starting in nine games. He has snagged four caps for the U-20s this year.

Szetela is the second-youngest player behind 14-year-old Freddy Adu named to the Under-17 CONCACAF qualifying roster and FIFA Under-17 World Championship roster. He started in all four of the USA's matches in the World Championship, helping the U.S. to a fifth-place finish. He scored six goals and dished out 12 assists in 2003

Ely Allen, University of Washington Standout and former youth player under Sounder's Head Coach Brian Schmetzer is also in the Under-20 National Team Pool.

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer on the Under- 20’s coming to Seattle; “The Sounder players are excited to play the Under-20 National Team because it gives them the opportunity to measure up to the best players the United Sates can produce. For the players on the Sounders who have their eyes set on going to the MLS, this is a great chance for them to see MLS quality soccer because most of the Players on the Under -20's team are either currently in MLS or will be there soon.”

“Sigi Schmid (Under- 20 Men’s National Team Coach) has been very good to the Sounders organization and someone who has helped give us scouting reports on various players. We appreciate the chance to match up in front of a great Seattle crowd and play a quality soccer game in preparation for the Sounders regular season.” 

SOUNDERS DEFEAT SEATTLE PACIFIC 2-0 IN WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCRIMMAGE
Posted 4/21/2005
(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Sounders battled the Seattle Pacific University Falcons in a preseason scrimmage on Wednesday night, coming away with a 2-0 win on goals from training camp trialists Brent Whitfield and Elliott Fauske.

Sounders forward Welton Melo arrived in Seattle yesterday after a 5,000 mile flight from Brazil and a cross country flight from New York. Jet-lagged yet happy to see warm weather, Welton is welcomed to Seattle by head coach Brian Schmetzer (picture courtesy of Soundercentral.com).

Seattle line-up -

James Ward (Chris George 45'); Skylar Nelson (Ryan Edwards 45'), Jacob Besagno (Taylor Graham 45'), Zach Scott (Scott Jenkins 45'); Chad Brown (CJ Klaas 45'), Kevin Sakuda, Ben Somoza, Anthony Hudson (Andrew Gregor 45'), Elliott Fauske (Franklin Chacon 45'); Shawn Percell (Brent Whitfield 45'), Brett Wiesner.

Goals:

47' SEA - Whitfield

90' SEA - Fauske (Chacon)

Seattle: James Ward (Chris George 45'); Skylar Nelson (Ryan Edwards 45'), Jacob Besagno (Taylor Graham 45'), Zach Scott (Scott Jenkins 45'); Chad Brown (CJ Klaas 45'), Kevin Sakuda, Ben Somoza, Anthony Hudson (Andrew Gregor 45'), Elliott Fauske (Franklin Chacon 45'); Shawn Percell (Brent Whitfield 45'), Brett Wiesner. Fauske re-entered for someone late in the second half.

Goals:

47' SEA - Whitfield

90' SEA - Fauske (Chacon)

47' Brent Whitfield started the second half and showed his great speed by breaking from the halfway line and netting a low shot from 15 yards out.

90' Elliott Fauske from Franklin Chacon. Costa Rican Franklin Chacon placed a lovely ball on the foot of Elliott Fauske, who finished with a technical shot that just crept past the keeper.

Several Sounders, including Andrew Gregor and Brent Whitfield, took shots that clanged off the post.

Sounders Final Exhibition Match Yields 3-1 Victory Over Liga Hispana
Posted 4/25/2005
KENT, Wa. – The Seattle Sounders played the Liga Hispana All-Stars (pictured) in their final exhibition match of the season Sunday night at Kent Meridian High School’s French Field. Midfielder Gabriel Sturm scored two goals to lead the Sounders to a 3-1 victory.

The Liga Hispana All-Stars came out strong in the first 15 minutes and challenged the Sounders when they scored a goal in the first minutes of the match, but the Sounders showed their class for the remainder of the match as they out shot the All-Stars 21-4.

The All-Stars wore white, U.S. Bank-sponsored t-shirts without numbers, making it difficult to identify the players for the purposes of this story. Nonetheless, the All-Stars were clearly not intimidated in taking on a professional team as it took just six minutes for them to put the ball in the back of net.

Smart combination play on the left side of the field resulted in a player being sent through with a clean shot on goal, and he made no mistake as he struck a well-placed shot in full stride past a diving Jacob Banas to put a shocked Sounders side down 1-0.

The All-Stars kept up their poised play after the goal as they patiently searched for the next hole in the Seattle defense, but at that point the Sounders had already asserted themselves in the midfield, which lead to the equalizing goal in the 22nd minute.

Chad Brown found himself with space to shoot 10 yards from goal, but his shot deflected off a defender and bounced though to Sturm, who easily tapped the ball in at the near post to even the score at 1-1.

Five minutes later, Sturm struck again as he got on the end of Welton Melo’s deflected shot to knock the ball past a helpless Lisandro Alonas for a 2-1 Sounders lead.

In the second half, the Sounders dominated possession as they pressed to increase their lead, but the Hispanic All-Stars did well initially to hold the score at 2-1 through the hour mark. They even got off a dangerous scoring chance in the 62nd as Banas had to be alert to tip an 18-yard blast over the bar.

In the 71st, the Liga Hispana defense finally cracked under the pressure as substitute Franklin Chacon fired the Sounders to a 3-1 lead. Defender Zach Scott headed a C.J. Klaas free kick on goal. The shot was parried by substitute goalkeeper Marcelo Fernandez, but fell to Chacon who volleyed in the rebound from point blank range.

The Sounders play a friendly tomorrow night at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle as they host the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Husky Soccer Field box office at 5:30 p.m., or by contacting the Seattle Sounders at (206) 622-3415.

LINEUPS

SOUNDERS: Jacob Banas, Ryan Edwards (Zach Scott – 46), Jacob Besagno, Skylar Nelson, Scott Jenkins (Kevin Sakuda – 46), Ben Somoza (Brent Whitfield – 54), Chad Brown (C.J. Klaas – 46), Andrew Gregor (Brett Wiesner – 46), Gabriel Sturm, Welton Melo (Franklin Chacon – 46), Joshua Hansen.

Unused substitutes: James Ward.

LA LIGA HISPANA ALL-STARS: Lisandro Alonas (Marcelo Fernandez – 46), Roberto Fasardu, Carlos Tavalin, Kevin Posadas, Eduardo Milan, Pedro Milan, Levi Zacapu, Ernesto Bueno, Manuel Ruiz, Willy Cardenas, Guadalupe Perez.

Substitutes: Jose Torres, Oscar Guzman, Gustavo Gomez, Miguel Rodriguez, Everando Cisneros, Filimeno Molina, Julio Reyes. 

SOUNDERS FALL TO UNITED STATES U-20 MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM 4-1
Posted 4/25/2005
SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders fell 4-1 to the United States Under-20 Men’s National Team on Monday night in a preseason friendly at the University of Washington’s Husky Soccer Field. The Sounders were out shot 16-6 against a well-tuned soccer machine comprised of some of the best young players in the country.

A standing-room-only crowd of 2,112 saw high caliber soccer on display from both sides, but the U.S. youngsters, featuring several young stars from Major League Soccer, showed skill beyond their years and gave Seattle a stiff test as they prepare for the start of the regular season.

Right from the start, the U-20s left no doubt in anyone’s mind regarding their quality as they moved the ball up and down the field with poise and skill, but it was the Sounders that opened the scoring in the 28th minute when midfielder Brent Whitfield (pictured) stole the ball 20 yards out and broke in alone before slotting the ball past U-20 goalkeeper Andrew Kartunen for a 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for the U-20s to respond as two minutes later midfielder Danny Szetela stole the ball 25 yards out and immediately sent a blistering shot on goal that had Seattle goalkeeper James Ward beaten but just missed the far, top corner.

In the 32nd, the U-20s got on the board in impressive fashion as midfielder Benny Feilhaber settled the ball and was left unchallenged. With no other options immediately available, Feilhaber stepped up and uncorked a 30-yard blast past a stunned Ward to equalize the match.

The U-20s kept up the pressure as two minutes later forward Chad Barrett took the ball around the far corner before ripping a low drive that pinged off the near post. Will John was there to away the rebound from point blank save but was denied by a great diving save by Ward.

Six minutes into the second half, the U-20s took the lead as Barrett made a weaving run with the ball along the right side before dropping a beautiful through pass behind the defense for Will John. John took the ball in stride and rounded a stranded Jacob Banas before slotting a left-footed shot into the open goal.

The Sounders had a chance to respond two minutes later when C.J. Klaas sent in a free kick from 20 yards out that a leaping Scott Jenkins volleyed on goal but U-20 goalkeeper Justin Hughes made a diving save to preserve the lead.

The U-20s extended their lead in the 66th as Barrett stole the ball on a defensive miscue between Gabriel Sturm and Jenkins and raced in along the edge of the penalty area before rounding a sprawling Banas and hitting a low cross to a completely unmarked Szetela who knocked the ball into the open goal from point blank range.

The Sounders had no answer for the well-organized defense of the U-20s, and the youngsters capped the scoring in the 84th when midfielder Tim Ward made a great solo effort down the far side. Ward charged in on goal, shrugged off a challenge from Sturm before shooting past Banas for a commanding 4-1 lead.

The Sounders open the regular season Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m. as they host the Portland Timbers at Qwest Field. For ticket information, visit www.seattlesounders.net.

LINEUPS

SOUNDERS: James Ward (Jacob Banas – 46), Scott Jenkins, C.J. Klaas, Brent Whitfield, Billy Sleeth (Jacob Besagno – 73), Gabriel Sturm, Andrew Gregor (Ben Somoza – 15), Kevin Sakuda (Brett Wiesner – 70), Zach Scott, Franklin Chacon (Chad Brown – 46), Welton Melo (Joshua Hansen – 63).

U.S. U-20 MNT: Andrew Kartunen (Justin Hughes – 46), Hunter Freeman, Marvell Wynne (Brad Evans – 59), Patrick Ianni, Michael Bradley, Chad Barrett, Arturo Alvarez (Robbie Rogers – 59), Will John, Robby Rogers (Benny Feilhaber – 9), Tim Ward, Danny Szetela.

CAUTIONS

SOUNDERS: Scott (26)

U.S. U-20 MNT: Wynne (24), Alvarez (41).

GOAL SUMMARY

SOUNDERS: Whitfield (28).

U.S. U-20 MNT: Feilhaber (34), John (51), Szetela (66), Ward (84).

Attendance: 2,112 

SOUNDERS TEAM UP WITH COMCAST, OFFER 10 GAMES ON DEMAND DURING 2005 SEASON
Posted 4/26/2005
(Seattle, WA) – The Seattle Sounders and Comcast today announced that 10 Sounder home matches would be available through Comcast ON DEMAND beginning with the Sounders home opener against the Portland Timbers on April 30th.

The replays of the 2005 Sounders matches are offered at no additional charge over the cost of Comcast Digital Cable service, and will be available for viewing within 48 hours after completion of each game.

“We’re excited about our partnership with Comcast and about helping to provide quality local content to Comcast subscribers,” said Sounders assistant general manager Bart Wiley.

The 10 home matches are scheduled for April 30, May 11, May 25, June 25, July 20, July 27, August 6, August 13, August 26 and September 9.

“The addition of The Sounders to Comcast ON DEMAND reinforces Comcast’s commitment to increase the value of its products and services by providing customers with more programming choices and more control over those choices than ever before,” said Tom Pierce, VP of Marketing and Sales for Comcast.

ON DEMAND offers Comcast Digital Cable customers the ability to choose from movies, music, sports, news, instructional and entertainment programming and more. In addition, viewers can rewind, fast-forward and pause programs, and can store movie selections for at least 24 hours from the time of ordering, so they can watch those selections whenever and however often they like. An interactive, on-screen programming guide makes selecting from the library of ON DEMAND content quick and easy.

The Sounders kick off the 2005 season on April 30th at 7pm inside Qwest Field when they face the Portland Timbers. The 2005 home schedule features 14 regular season home matches, and two exhibition games on May 11 (Real Salt Lake) and July 20 (Sunderland AFC, recently promoted to the English Premier League), respectively.

For more information on the Comcast visit www.comcast.net.

For more information on the Seattle Sounders call 206 622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

SOUNDERS FALL 2-1 TO TIMBERS IN FRONT OF 6,351 AT HOME OPENER - Sounders outshoot Timbers 16-4, can't find equalizer
Posted 4/30/2005
SEATTLE – Byron Alvarez had a goal and an assist as the Portland Timbers counterattacked their way to victory over the Seattle Sounders Saturday night at Qwest Field in the Sounders’ home opener. A crowd of 6,351 fans witnessed a fierce battle between the two northwest rivals as they laid down the gauntlet for the 2005 season in a fast-paced, intense match that featured six cautions and an ejection between the two sides.

Portland asked several questions of the Seattle defense inside the game’s first 30 minutes but never tested Seattle goalkeeper Robbie Fulton, who played this match on loan from Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes. While Fulton had a relatively uneventful first half, his counterpart, Josh Saunders, was much busier as Seattle peppered him with eight shots. Saunders was equal to the task, however, as he denied the Sounders with several timely saves.

The first significant scoring threat came from the Sounders in the fifth minute. Defender Ryan Edwards sped down the left side and hit a driving cross to an unmarked Welton Melo ten yards from the front of the goal. Welton took a touch before smacking a half volley on frame, but it was straight at Saunders, who did well to parry the shot away before his defense cleared it to safety.

Saunders had to be sharp again in the 31st when the ball fell to Sounders team captain Scott Jenkins following a break on goal. Jenkins cracked a one-time shot from a hard angle just six yards out, but Saunders got over well to cover the post and knock the shot away. Six minutes later, Sounders defender Billy Sleeth took on Portland defender Aaron Heinzen one-on-one inside the 18-yard box before ripping a low shot between Heinzen’s legs that Saunders scooped up despite being screened on the play.

Seattle got off one final quality scoring chance before the end of the half when midfielder C.J. Klaas sent a 40-yard free kick to defender Taylor Graham, who directed a thumping header at Saunders, but the ‘keeper was well positioned to make the save.

Seattle got a great start to the second half, as forward Roger Levesque and midfielder Brent Whitfield were both foiled during a goalmouth scramble, but were able to win a corner kick, which subsequently rebounded out to a waiting Klaas, who ran up and drilled a fierce shot on goal, but it deflected off a defender for another corner kick.

After being on their heels for most of the match, the Timbers broke the deadlock with just their second shot on goal off a well-worked counterattack in the 51st minute. Midfielder Aaran Lines dropped a nice ball behind the Seattle defense that sent forward Byron Alvarez charging on goal. With three Seattle defenders nipping at his heels, Alvarez hit a well-struck, left-footed shot in full stride past a diving Fulton and into the far corner of the goal.

Just three minutes later, Portland got put their third shot on goal past Fulton for a 2-0 lead – again off the counterattack. This time Alvarez was the provider as he sent midfielder Tom Poltl through on goal with a nicely weighted lob pass. Poltl quickly unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot past Fulton into the top corner of the goal to double the Portland lead.

Suddenly down 2-0 and in dire need of a goal, a shell-shocked Seattle side took the game to Portland and put the Timbers defense under constant pressure for the remainder of the match.

In the 56th, Whitfield charged into the 18-yard box and drew in the Portland defense before laying the ball out for Klaas, whose one-time drive from the top of the box screamed just wide of the top corner.

Six minutes later, Whitfield broke into the box again but lost possession. The ball came out to Scott Jenkins at the left side of the penalty box. His quick cross found Welton alone at the far post, but Welton pushed his header agonizingly wide of the Portland goal.

Though the Sounders continued to press, they always had to be aware of the Timbers’ dangerous counterattack, which reared its head in the 65th minute when Alvarez and Lines linked up again. Lines got off a good cross under pressure to Alvarez, who had time to settle and shoot just ten yards from goal, but his left-footed effort was weak and Fulton saved easily.

Veteran forward Welton Melo finally got Seattle got on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute with the first Sounders goal of the new 2005 season. Klaas took the ball hard down the right side and crossed to the Brazilian, who was completely unmarked and had a wealth of time and space to charge in alone on goal and knock a perfectly placed shot past a helpless Saunders to cut the Portland lead in half. The large, opening night crowd roared its approval.

Three minutes later, the Sounders saw an excellent chance to equalize go by the wayside when Taylor Graham rose superbly to meet a Jenkins corner kick ten yards from goal, but he was unable to make solid contact as it glanced off his head and bounced just wide of the far post.

With time running out and the Sounders’ patience wearing thin, a frustrated Chad Brown was shown his second yellow card for a reckless challenge and was ejected in stoppage time. Despite dominating long periods of the match and creating numerous quality scoring chances, the Sounders were forced to settle for a loss to their archrivals in the first match of the 2005 campaign.

The Sounders' next game is at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at Qwest Field against the Vancouver Whitecaps. For ticket information call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

April 30, 2005

Weather: Sunny, warm, 60s.

Attendance: 6,351

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Portland Timbers 0 2 2

POR – Byron Alvarez (Aaran Lines), 51st minute.

POR – Tom Poltl (Alvarez), 54.

SEA – Welton Melo (C.J. Klaas), 73.

LINEUPS

SEA: Robbie Fulton, Zach Scott, Ryan Edwards (Brett Wiesner – 86), Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Kevin Sakuda (Chad Brown – 80), C.J. Klaas, Scott Jenkins, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 75), Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

POR: Josh Saunders, Edwin Miranda, Gavin Wilkinson (Lee Morrison – 80), Scot Thompson, Aaron Heinzen, Brian Winters, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar (Jarrod Weis – 86), Shaun Higgins (Scott Benedetti – 85), Tom Poltl, Byron Alvarez, Aaran Lines.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Billy Sleeth (caution), 6th minute.

SEA – Ryan Edwards (caution), 20.

POR – Shaun Higgins (caution), 24.

SEA – Zach Scott (caution), 52.

SEA – Chad Brown (caution), 84.

POR – Byron Alvarez (caution), 89.

SEA – Brown (ejection), 90. 

SOUNDERS AND WHITECAPS PLAY TO SCORELESS DRAW IN SECOND CASCADIA CUP MATCH
Posted 5/8/2005
SEATTLE – Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo recorded a shutout in his first start of the season, but the Sounders had to settle for a draw as they failed to get on the scoreboard themselves Saturday night in front of 2,495 fans at Qwest Field. Burpo kept the Sounders in the match with a couple of crucial saves, but the ‘keeper at the other end, Mike Franks, kept a clean sheet as well to keep Seattle winless so far for the 2005 season.

The match marked the second in the Cascadia Cup series for the Sounders, which awards a cup to the three traditional rivals in the Pacific Northwest – Seattle, Portland and Vancouver – for the best regular season record against each other.

An uneventful first half saw precious few goal scoring chances for both sides as the majority of play was clogged up in the midfield. Each team had a number of opportunities from free kicks, but neither squad was able to put a single shot on frame.

Vancouver tried several times to spring forwards Alfredo Valente and Jason Jordan with through balls and lobs over the top, but Burpo and his defense shut down any scoring threats against them.

On the other end, the Sounders had little success in creating anything in the midfield and were forced to fall back on sending long balls to targets Welton Melo, Roger Levesque and speedy midfielder Brent Whitfield. Unfortunately, this tactic didn’t produce any meaningful results as the Vancouver goalkeeper Franks had very little to do in the first half.

Seattle’s best chance of the first half came in the 31st minute following a foul on Whitfield on the right side of the Vancouver penalty area. C.J. Klaas sent a hard free kick across goal to the far post, where defender Taylor Graham did well to get above the crowd, his booming header was driven just wide from six yards out.

Vancouver came back with their best chance 10 minutes later when defender Geordie Lyall powered in a dangerous cross deep down the right side to an open Jordan 10 yards from the goalmouth, but his header was straight at Burpo.

In stark contrast to the first, the second half was a much more exciting affair as both sides opened things up in an effort to find the elusive first goal of the match.

The Sounders set the tone for the second half in the 53rd minute when Klaas took a square pass from Billy Sleeth 30 yards out, beat his defender and broke into the penalty area before centering in front of the goal, but the play was broken up and cleared out.

The Whitecaps returned the favor in the 59th. Jordan chased down a long ball, carried all the way to the end line under pressure and cut the ball back for a streaking Dave Morris who tried to poke the ball past Burpo but the Seattle ‘keeper got down well to smother the shot.

Jordan was the danger man again in the 67th when Morris found him with a searing long ball that split the Seattle defense. Jordan beat Zach Scott to the ball and charged in on goal before hitting a hard shot that Burpo knocked away with a superb reaction save to keep Vancouver off the scoreboard.

Seattle tested Burpo’s counterpart five minutes later. Kevin Sakuda led a break through the midfield. His through ball to Whitfield was broken up, but the ball popped out to a completely unmarked Welton, who had the time and space to run up and crack a one-time drive on goal that forced Franks into his best save of the game.

Seattle continued to apply the pressure and got their best chance to score just two minutes later. Welton received the ball down the left and went hard to goal. Klaas made a great run down the middle, and Welton found him with a low centering pass, but Klaas’ redirection attempt from five yards out was deflected out by a Vancouver defender.

The Whitecaps hit back in the 89th when substitute and Yakima native Jake Sagare took the ball down the left side and crossed to substitute forward Ali Said, who got behind Scott but side-footed his one-time attempt over Burpo’s goal.

The Sounders had one final chance to take the three points by winning a free kick 10 yards from the right side of the penalty area in the game’s dying seconds. Klaas drove in a nice ball, which Graham got to but headed well wide of Franks’ goal.

The Sounders’ next game is Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. as they host Major League Soccer expansion team Real Salt Lake in an exhibition match at Qwest Field. The match features Maple Valley, Wash., native and MLS number one draft pick Nik Besagno. For ticket information, call (206) 622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

May 7, 2005

Weather: Sunny, warm, 60s.

Attendance: 2,495

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 0 0

Vancouver Whitecaps 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth (Gabe Sturm – 69), Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 74), Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas, Scott Jenkins, Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Jake Besagno, Josh Hansen, Brett Wiesner, Franklin Chacon.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer

VAN: Mike Franks, Geordie Lyall, Liam De Silva, Kevin Harmse (Chris Franks – 71), Nick Dasovic, Jeff Clarke, Steve Klein, Martin Nash (Jake Sagare – 82), Steve Kindel (Joe Gjertsen – 74), Alfredo Valente (Dave Morris – 55), Jason Jordan ( Ali Said – 76).

Unused substitutes: Serge Djekanovic, Tino Cucca.

Head coach: Bob Lilley

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Jenkins, 7 (caution)

SEA – Klaas, 52 (caution)

VAN – C. Franks, 84 (caution) 

SEATTLE’S BESAGNO OUTSHINES LITTLE BROTHER TO LIFT SOUNDERS OVER RSL
Posted 5/12/2005
SEATTLE – Sounders rookie Jake Besagno made his professional debut a memorable one when he scored the game winner with his first touch on the ball within seconds of coming into the match as a second half substitute, and Preston Burpo made several crucial saves to give Seattle a 1-0 victory over Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake in an exhibition match Wednesday night at Qwest Field.

The match marked the return of former Sounder and 2002 A-League MVP Leighton O’Brien, as he suited up against his former team for the first time. The match also featured the 2005 MLS number one draft pick and Maple Valley, Wash., native Nik Besagno, who is Jake Besagno’s younger brother.

A well-played first half saw no goals but no shortage of chances for both teams, the best and majority of which fell to the Sounders, who dominated the later stages of the half.

Roger Levesque and Welton Melo were active up front for Seattle, and midfielder Brent Whitfield gave them good support down the right side, as the three offense-minded players were responsible for all of Seattle best scoring opportunities.

On RSL’s side, MLS veterans Dipsy Selolwane and Chris Brown, and youngster Jordan Cila were the danger men and at the forefront of the attack.

Both teams spent the first 25 minutes working the midfield and feeling each other out. The Sounders won three corner kicks in that span but were unable to threaten RSL goalkeeper Jay Nolly. Starting with the 28th minute, however, Seattle enjoyed a five-minute period in which they attacked the RSL goal from all sides and produced several quality scoring chances.

In the 29th, Whitfield was played into the penalty area along the right side and centered to Welton, who carried in around his defender before leaving the ball for a wide-open Whitfield, who cracked a fierce, one-time drive right at the ‘keeper, but Nolly stood his ground well to knock the shot away.

Two minutes later, midfielder C.J. Klaas got behind the RSL defense and charged in alone on goal. Nolly came out to the edge of his area and broke up the play, but collided with defender Matt Behnke in the process. Levesque followed up on the loose ball with the open goal gaping in front of him, but drilled the rebound right into the fallen pile of Nolly and Behnke, and the ball bounced harmlessly away.

In the 32nd, midfielder Kevin Sakuda carried into the left side of the penalty area and drew in the RSL defense before slotting a neat through ball that was just a touch too far for Welton, who was right on the doorstep, and Nolly scooped up the ball easily.

RSL struck back four minutes later through Chris Brown, who chased a long ball down the right side and carried to the end line before cutting a nice ball back for Cila, but Brown’s effort was wasted as Cila's shot from the top of the penalty area sailed well over the bar.

In the 39th, Brown threatened again when his cross from the right side found Selolwane with his back to goal at the top of Burpo’s six-yard box. Selolwane turned to shoot but was tightly marked by defender Zach Scott, and the ball was promptly cleared out.

The second half saw the professional debuts of the Besagno brothers – Nik for RSL and Jake for Seattle. Both would have vastly different impacts on the game, however. Nik Besagno came in at the start of the half, and 10 minutes later was shown a yellow card for a hard foul on Sounders defender Ryan Edwards, whereas his older brother Jake, who came in at the 66th minute, scored the lone goal just seconds after entering the match.

Before the goal, however, Seattle and RSL traded two quality scoring chances that could have easily gone in. In the 52nd, Klaas sent in a well-struck corner kick that defender Taylor Graham headed right at Nolly, who held his ground to make the save before his defense cleared the ball out.

Ten minutes later, Selolwane took a pass from midfielder Kevin Nowak deep into the Seattle penalty area and made enough room for himself to unleash a rasping drive 10 yards from goal, but Burpo was well-position to parry the shot to safety.

The game’s only goal came four minutes later off a Klaas free kick from 30 yards out. Besagno had just come into the game for Edwards, and positioned himself at the far post. Klaas sent in a great ball that skimmed over the defense to an unmarked Besagno, who tapped the ball in with his knee from point-blank range past a stranded Nolly for a deserved 1-0 Sounders lead.

RSL pressed hard for the equalizer, and in the 70th had their best chance of the game when O’Brien’s 30 yard free kick from the left side was volleyed across goal by Novak to forward Jamie Watson at the top of the six-yard box. His one-time effort looked destined for the back of the net, but Burpo got down superbly to keep the ball out and RSL off the score sheet.

Substitute Brett Wiesner had a great chance to double Seattle’s lead eight minutes later when he broke in alone on goal. Wiesner attempted to chip Nolly as he came out to cover the angle, but Nolly reacted well to get a hand to the ball and knock it away.

In the game’s final minutes, RSL had two golden opportunities to tie the game. In the 89th, Nik Besagno almost stole the spotlight from his older brother when he got on the end of an O’Brien free kick and redirected it on goal – a hard drive that Burpo somehow smothered with a great reaction save.

Then in stoppage time, Selolwane weaved his way through the midfield before splitting the Seattle defense with a great through ball that sent Watson in alone on goal. RSL’s final chance to equalize went begging, however, as Watson fired his shot from just inside the 18 yard box well over Burpo’s goal.

Seattle’s next game is Saturday, May 14 at Qwest Field as they host the Charleston Battery at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

May 11, 2005

Weather: Cloudy, 50s.

Attendance: 1,279

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Real Salt Lake 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Ryan Edwards (Jake Besagno – 66), Taylor Graham, Zach Scott, Kevin Sakuda, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 61), C.J. Klaas, Scott Jenkins (Josh Hansen – 77), Roger Levesque (Brett Wiesner – 75), Welton Melo (Franklin Chacon – 68).

Unused substitutes: James Ward.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

RSL: Jay Nolly, Seth Trembly, Matt Behncke, Brian Dunseth (Mike Lookingland – 46), Sergio Flores, Evan Whitfield (Luke Kreamalmayer – 46), Ken Cutler (Nik Besagno – 46), Leighton O’Brien, Chris Brown (Kevin Novak – 46), Dipsy Selolwane, Jordan Cila (Jamie Watson – 46).

Unused substitutes: Noah Palmer, Jason Kreis.

Head coach: John Ellinger.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Taylor Graham, 69 (caution); Josh Hansen, 88 (caution); Brett Wiesner, 90 (caution).

RSL – Evan Whitfield, 45 (caution); Nik Besagno, 50 (caution); Matt Behncke, 87 (caution).

WHITFIELD'S GOAL GIVES SOUNDERS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON OVER BATTERY
Posted 5/15/2005
SEATTLE – Rookie midfielder Brent Whitfield (pictured) scored his first professional goal and goalkeeper Preston Burpo kept the clean sheet as the Seattle Sounders got their first win of the 2005 regular season by beating the Charleston Battery 1-0 Saturday night at Qwest Field.

Whitfield kept the Charleston defense on its heels the entire time he was on the field and was rewarded with a hard fought goal in the 67th minute that propelled Seattle to a much-needed win in the third of a six-game home stand. Burpo had made a desperate kick save four minutes earlier to keep Charleston off the score sheet.

Though the Battery spent most of the first half in their own end fending off a relentless Sounders attack, they were able to put Burpo to the test in just the second minute of play. Battery forward Usiel Vasquez got on the end of a deflected pass at the top of the 18-yard box and, despite being tightly marked, got off a screaming volley that Burpo alertly turned aside and then chased down the rebound.

The Sounders pounded the Battery goal for the remainder of the half and could have scored on numerous occasions if not for a brave performance by Charleston goalkeeper Chris Doyle, who made six saves in a busy opening 45 minutes.

Whitfield was Seattle’s most effective weapon in the first half, as his speed down the right side caused Charleston all sorts of problems. He forced Doyle into two acrobatic saves and was responsible for winning most of the seven first-half corner kicks for the Sounders.

In the 30th minute, Whitfield chased down a seemingly out-of-reach cross-field pass, raced toward goal and won a corner kick. C.J. Klaas’ perfectly bent the ensuing kick right to Taylor Graham 10 yards from at the far post. Graham stretched way back and popped a venomous header off the crossbar that bounced straight down and back to Doyle.

Less than a minute later, Klaas found Whitfield streaking down the right side with a brilliant crossing pass that put Whitfield one-on-one with Doyle. Doyle raced out to cut off the angle and smothered Whitfield’s shot, which was right at the diving ‘keeper.

In the 34th, Charleston almost capitalized off a Seattle mistake when defender Billy Sleeth unintentionally chested a ball over himself and right to Battery forward Greg Simmonds, who brought the ball down in stride and charged to the corner of the six-yard box before passing across goal to Vasquez, but Burpo got down quickly to break up the play.

Whitfield was at it again in the 38th minute when Kevin Sakuda found him all alone on the right side following a quick restart. Whitfield went straight at the defense and cut his defender inside before uncorking a right-footed drive that Doyle tipped over the bar with a leaping save.

One minute later, Roger Levesque played his strike partner Welton Melo through on goal, but Doyle charged out to the edge of the penalty area to knock Welton’s quick shot away with a diving save.

Seattle wasn’t nearly as dominant in the second half as Charleston came out of the locker room much more organized. It nearly paid off in the 63rd minute when Burpo came out to punch away a cross and collided with Simmonds. With Burpo completely out of position, the ball came out to Battery midfielder Kevin Jackson just inside the penalty area. Jackson fired in a quick shot toward the open goal, but Burpo recovered and made an excellent stabbing kick save.

The save would prove critical because four minutes later Whitfield put the Sounders ahead after being quiet for most of the second half. Klaas took the ball through midfield and put a beautiful ball over the top for a streaking Welton to run onto. Welton continued his run deep inside the penalty area and laid the ball off for a wide-open Gabe Sturm 10 yards from goal. Sturm misfired on his one-time attempt, however, but the ball squirted out to Whitfield, whose initial point-blank shot was saved by Doyle. Doyle couldn’t hang on to the rebound though, and Whitfield hammered the loose ball into the top of the net to give Seattle the lead.

The Sounders had a great chance to increase their lead when Levesque found himself alone 10-yards from the front of the goal, but he took too much time in getting off his left-footed shot, which was blocked by Battery defender Alan Woods.

Substitute forward Franklin Chacon then put on an impressive display of individual skill on the far touch line when he cut through three Battery defenders before being brought down from behind in the penalty area, but the referee allowed play to continue, forcing Seattle to be content with the 1-0 victory.

Seattle’s next game is Saturday, May 21 at Qwest Field as they host the Atlanta Silverbacks at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Charleston Battery

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

May 14, 2005

Weather: Partly cloudy, 60s.

Attendance: 2,007

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 0

Charleston Battery 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth (Gabe Sturm – 63), Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Kevin Sakuda, Taylor Graham, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 67), C.J. Klaas, Scott Jenkins, Roger Levesque (Brett Wiesner – 90), Welton Melo (Franklin Chacon – 79).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Jake Besagno, Josh Hansen.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

CHA: Chris Doyle, Jason Kutney (Ben Hollingsworth – 51), Tim Karalevis, Alan Woods, Ted Chronopoulos, Andres Perez (Josh Smith – 55), Justin Evans, Kevin Jackson (Alon Lubezky – 72), Lazo Alavanja, Greg Simmonds, Usiel Vazquez (Boyzz Khumalo – 55).

Unused substitutes: Mike Behonik, Gabe Bernstein, Chris Goos.

Head coach: Mike Anhaeuser.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Sakuda, 56 (caution).

CHA – Simmonds, 14 (caution); Kutney, 16 (caution).

SILVERBACKS HOLD SOUNDERS TO SCORELESS DRAW
Posted 5/22/2005
SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders played a dominating second half but could not find the back of the net Saturday night as they played the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks to a 0-0 draw in front of 1,381 rain-soaked fans at Qwest Field. Preston Burpo was rarely put to the test in the match, but he was there when called upon and has still yet to give up a goal this season.

After a wet and uneventful first half, the Sounders took control of the game at the 70-minute mark and pounded the Atlanta goal until the final whistle, but goalkeeper Christian Fegler made a couple of crucial saves to win a valuable point on the road for the Silverbacks.

Former Major League Soccer All-Star Alex Pineda Chacon and USL First Division leading goal scorer Fabian Dawkins led the Atlanta attack in the first half. They tested the Seattle defense on several occasions with some smart combination work, but Burpo only had to make one save despite four shots on goal by Dawkins.

Rookie C.J. Klaas was in total command of the Seattle attack as his distribution in the midfield, kicks from set pieces and all-around fearless play were at the center of the Sounders’ best goal scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.

The Silverbacks had their first significant threat on goal in the 18th minute when defender Fred Degande played Dawkins through the Seattle defense on the right side. Dawkins broke into the penalty area and fired a low, right-footed shot across goal that would have gone just wide, but Burpo took no chances as he dove to tip the drive out for a corner kick.

The Sounders hit back with a chance of their own in the 24th when Welton won possession for Klaas in the midfield. Klaas showed no hesitation as he charged through the Atlanta defense to the top of the penalty area, where he ripped a low drive that Fegler tipped away with a diving save at the far post. The resulting corner kick by Klaas was driven straight to the head of defender Ryan Edwards, who sent a stinging header on goal that Fegler palmed away with another alert save.

Three minutes later, Welton and Klaas played a give and go at the top of the Atlanta penalty arch that set Welton up with a shot on goal, but his left-footed shot skipped just wide of the far post.

Though the rain finally came to an end when the second half got under way, some sloppy play early on by Seattle in their own end almost cost them a goal.

In the 58th minute, Burpo came out to the edge of his penalty area to throw the ball out to the midfield, but the ball slipped out of his hands as he ended up throwing it straight at the ground. Fortunately for Burpo, he was able to cover up the loose ball, but the play resulted in Atlanta getting an indirect kick just inside the penalty area. The Sounders could breathe a sigh of relief when the resulting kick went straight into the wall and ricocheted out to midfield.

Two minutes later, Atlanta had their best scoring chance of the game. Defender Taylor Graham came under pressure and played an indecisive ball back to his ‘keeper, but Edwards came to his rescue and played the ball out for a corner before Dawkins could pounce on the loose ball.

The subsequent corner kick was taken short and quickly played out to defender Joe Afful at the top of the penalty arch, where he unleashed a powerful left-footed drive that left Burpo no chance but crashed off the crossbar, and the game remained scoreless.

Atlanta would never threaten the Seattle goal after that chance went by the wayside, as the Sounders took all of the run of play from that point on. Though Seattle’s constant pressure for the remaining half hour kept the Silverbacks on their heels and Fegler busy trying to keep the ball out of his goal, the Sounders could not get the goal they needed to win the game.

In the 70th, Welton took off on a run through the center of the Atlanta defense and was dragged down from behind by Afful 35 yards from goal. Klaas stepped up to the resulting free kick and hit a bullet that flew under the Silverbacks wall and right on goal, but Fegler was well positioned to scoop the ball up.

Four minutes later, substitute Franklin Chacon beat the offside trap and chased down a long ball from Edwards. He carried all the way to the edge of the six-yard box before cutting the ball back to Klaas, who had Fegler at his mercy, but the pass was slightly behind him, and the best Klaas could do was a desperate stab that flew harmlessly to the far touch line.

Then in the 77th, forward Roger Levesque found enough room to uncork a 35-yard dipping drive that surprised Fegler, who might have been beaten, but the shot skimmed just wide of the far post.

Ten minutes later, Chacon and Welton played a nice give and go deep inside the Atlanta penalty area that sent Welton in on goal. Welton got off a hard shot, but Fegler had the angle and parried the ball away out for a corner.

Fegler then made his best save of the game two minutes later when a Seattle break through the midfield led to Levesque’s low, left-footed drive from the top of the arch that seemed destined for the inside of the far post, but Fegler got down superbly to make a sprawling save with an outstretched left hand.

Seattle’s next game is Wednesday, May 25 at Qwest Field as they host the Virginia Beach Mariners at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Atlanta Silverbacks

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

May 21, 2005

Weather: Rain, 50s.

Attendance: 1,381

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 0 0

Atlanta Silverbacks 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Kevin Sakuda (Brett Wiesner – 88), C.J. Klaas, Brent Whitfield (Franklin Chacon – 72), Scott Jenkins (Ben Somoza – 66), Billy Sleeth, Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Gabe Sturm, Jake Besagno, Josh Hansen.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

ATL: Christian Fegler, Fred Degande, Joe Afful, Landy Mattison, David Hayes, Antonio De La Torre, Sergio Iniguez (Greg Chevalier – 78), Andres Murriogui (Kris Stone – 58) (Tony McManus – 85), Alex Pineda Chacon (Gary Brooks – 71), Fabian Dawkins, Rodrigo Rios (Adilson Delima – 84).

Unused substitutes: Joe Barton, Ron Plute.

Head coach: David Vaudreuil.

GOAL SUMMARY

None.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Zach Scott, 65 (caution).

ATL – Joe Affult, 69 (caution).

LEVESQUE GOAL IN STOPPAGE TIME LIFTS SEATTLE TO 1-0 WIN
Posted 5/26/2005
SEATTLE – Roger Levesque scored his first goal of the season in stoppage time and gave rookie Gabe Sturm his first assist as a professional in the process as the Seattle Sounders overcame the Virginia Beach Mariners 1-0 Wednesday night at Qwest Field. The important victory not only ended a goal-scoring drought for the Sounders, but also closed out a six-game home stand on a winning note before taking off on a two-game road trip.

Preston Burpo wasn’t very busy as his defense put in a typically strong effort, but he nonetheless extended his shutout streak to four games in four played as he has yet to give up a goal this season.

In just their second visit to Seattle ever, the Mariners put in a valiant effort and almost held on for the scoreless draw – an especially brave effort after being reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute, when veteran defender Steve Shak was shown a red card for a reckless challenge from behind on Sounders midfielder C.J. Klaas.

The first half went as most of this young season has so far for the Sounders. Seattle played well defensively and had the better of the scoring chances but unfortunately could not put the ball in the back of the net.

The Sounders had their first quality scoring chance in the 26th minute when C.J. Klaas and Taylor Graham renewed the rapport they’ve formed this season on set pieces when they connected on a corner kick. Klaas drove in a sizzling corner to which Graham rose superbly and drilled on goal, past the stranded goalkeeper Matthew Nelson, but defender Kevin Knott was on the line to head the ball out.

Two minutes later, Levesque took the ball into the offensive third, beat his man and crossed for an unmarked Ben Somoza at the edge of the penalty area. Somoza cracked a first-time drive with his right foot that sent Nelson flying but sailed just wide of the of the near post.

Just before the end of the half, Klaas hooked up with Graham again to produce another great scoring opportunity. Seattle won a corner kick when a Kevin Sakuda blast from 20 yards out was deflected over the end line by a Mariners defender. Klaas then sent in a nicely driven ball for Graham, who leapt through unchallenged to put his header on goal, but Nelson stood his ground well to bat the ball away.

Virginia Beach came out of the locker room and spent the next 15 minutes buzzing around the Seattle goal. The Mariners nearly took the lead in the 54th minute when a series of pinpoint passes that started well behind the halfway line ended with a spectacular diving header by forward Warren Ukah inside the six-yard box that was somehow put into the side netting with Burpo out of position.

After being frustrated for most of the second half, Seattle began to assert themselves on the visitors when substitute Franklin Chacon came on for Somoza in the 63rd minute. Chacon’s speed down the left flank put some energy back in the Sounders’ step as the game began to turn in Seattle’s favor.

The Sounders got another boost when Shak was ejected in the 74th minute after a crunching tackle from behind on Klaas, who went down in a heap. Even with the man advantage, however, Seattle could not turn their chances into goals.

In the game’s final 10 minutes, Klaas blazed a one-time shot at the edge of the penalty area over the bar, and Graham once again had a chance at goal from a Klaas free kick but header over from six yards out.

In what seemed to be the last chance Seattle would have, forward Welton Melo won the ball at the top of the 18 and worked his way into the box before putting up a tantalizing ball for an unmarked Gabe Sturm directly in front of the Mariners’ goal, but Sturm somehow pushed his header wide, much to the relief of the visitors, who must have thought they would escape Seattle with a point.

Then in stoppage time, Sturm atoned for his missed chance when he lofted a beautiful ball from midfield to Levesque, who was running through the center of the Mariners defense. Levesque twisted around in midstride to redirect the ball over Nelson, who had come off his line, and the ball settled into the ball of the net – finally giving the Sounders their second goal of the season and, more importantly, their second win.

Seattle’s next game is Friday, June 3 at 4 p.m. as they travel to the University of Richmond Stadium in Richmond, Va., to play the Richmond Kickers in the first of a two-game road trip. The Sounders next play at home Saturday, June 21, as they host the Rochester Raging Rhinos at 7 p.m. at Qwest Field. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Virginia Beach Mariners

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

May 25, 2005

Weather: Sunny, 80s.

Attendance: 1,402

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Virginia Beach Mariners 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Ben Somoza (Franklin Chacon – 63), Kevin Sakuda (Gabe Sturm – 80), Scott Jenkins (Brent Whitfield – 46), C.J. Klaas, Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Jake Besagno, Josh Hansen, Brett Wiesner.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

VIR: Matt Nelson, Steve Danbusky, Kevin Knott, Joe Monelli, Justin Thompson (Ptah Myers – 82), Darren Caskey, Tim O’Neill, Jakob Fenger (Hamisi Amani-Dove – 69), Steve Shak, Teafore Bennett (Kevon Harris – 77) (John Barry Musum – 90), Warren Ukah (David Castellanos – 54).

Unused substitutes: Dan Benton, Josh Nolz.

Head coach: Shawn McDonald

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA – Levesque, 90 (Sturm).

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

VIR – Ukah, 15 (caution).

SEA – Zach Scott, 58 (caution).

VIR – Morelli, 65 (caution).

VIR – Steve Shak, 74 (ejection).

Sounders Sign University of Washington and Former Vancouver Whitecaps Midfielder Jake Sagare
Posted 5/31/2005
SEATTLE- The Seattle Sounders announce today the signing of Jake Sagare (pictured), former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder and University of Washington standout.

Sagare, 25, has played the last two months with Seattle’s rival club, the Vancouver Whitecaps. Previous to the time spent in Vancouver, he was with the other I-5 rival club, the Portland Timbers for three years.

Drafted by Portland in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2002 college draft, the 5'11", 165-pounder, amassed five goals and nine assists in 52 caps for the Timbers.

Sagare, who has dual citizenship with England and the United States, had two stints in Europe during his tenure in Portland. Prior to the 2003 season, Sagare spent time with Grimsby Town FC of the English First Division before returning to the Timbers midseason. Sagare also played for Halifax Town of the English Nationwide Conference following the 2003 United Soccer Leagues (USL) season.

A native of Yakima, Washington, Sagare played three seasons with the Yakima Reds (1998-2000) in the Premier Development League (PDL) and one with the Seattle Sounders Select (2001). He registered one assist in his first two seasons but broke out in 2000 with 12 goals and four assists as he led the Reds to the PDL semifinals. He notched three goals and two assists in 2001.

He also played his collegiate soccer in his home state at the University of Washington where he majored in communications. He was twice named to the All-Pac-10 Academic Second Team.

Sagare will travel with the Sounders this weekend when they face the Richmond Kickers (June 3rd) and the Virginia Beach Mariners (June 4th). Listen to all road games on Sounders radio KKNW- 1150AM.

SEATTLE KICKS DOWN RICHMOND:Sounders Upend League Leading Kickers
Posted 6/4/2005
RICHMOND, Va. - C.J. Klaas set up both goals and Preston Burpo registered another shutout as the Seattle Sounders defeated the Richmond Kickers, 2-0, Friday at the University of Richmond Stadium.

For their first road game of the 2005 season the Sounders (3-1-2) decided to press the issue against the league’s top team. In the 16th minute C.J. Klaas sent a free kick off the top of the cross bar from 25 yards. Kevin Sakuda’s right footed liner from 17 yards was knocked down, and then cradled by Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale in the 29th minute.

Then, in stoppage time in the first half Billy Sleeth sent a header wide of the left post from 12 yards up. Meanwhile Sounders ‘keeper Burpo continued to keep a clean sheet. He came up with big stops against the Kickers in the 31st minute, diving out off his line to stop an attempted cross from 8-yards.

Richmond (8-2-1) ended the first half with just nine players on the field thanks to some late injuries to two of their players. Those two players returned for the start of the second half and with it came a much more physical Kickers squad. But that physical play led to two yellow cards against midfielder Tim Brown and that led to the automatic red card ejection in 54th minute.

Playing up a man the Sounders went back on the offensive. In the 77th minute they cashed in off a corner kick. C.J. Klaas lined the ball out of the left corner towards the top of the six-yard box. Defender Ryan Edwards moved in on the ball and went up in the air and headed it past Pascale for his first goal of the season.

Seattle did not let up. As Richmond pushed forward looking for the equalizer, Welton stole the ball on the Sounder side of midfield. He dribbled up to midfield then pushed it down the left side for Klaas. Klaas took the ball inside the 18-yard box, drawing two defenders with him. He then crossed back to Welton who used his right foot to flick the cross from Klaas out of the air and past Pascale in the 81st minute.

Burpo ended the game with four saves and now has gone 450 minutes to start the season without allowing an opponent to score.

Seattle continues their first road trip of the season with a stop in Virginia Beach Saturday to face the Virginia Beach Mariners. The Sounders defeated the Mariners, 1-0, in a game at Qwest Field on May 25th. For more information visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Richmond Kickers

University of Richmond Stadium

Richmond, VA

June 3, 2005

Attendance: 2411

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 2 2

Richmond Kickers 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott (Scott Jenkins – 73), Jake Sagare (Brent Whitfield – 60), Ben Somoza (Franklin Chacon – 76), Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas, Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

RIC: Ronnie Pascale, Matt Bobo, Kevin Knight (Matt Pauls-82), Matt O’Toole(Kevin Jeffrey-61), Peter Luzak, Tim Brown, Richie Williams (Jeff Hare-82), Mike Burke, Chris Carrieri (McColm Cephas-80), Matthew Delicate, Sascha Gorres.

Head Coach: Leigh Cowlishaw

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA – Ryan Edwards (CJ Klaas – 77)

SEA – Welton Melo (CJ Klaas – 81)

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

RIC: Tim Brown, 52 (caution)

RIC: Tim Brown, 54 (two yellow card ejection)

RIC: Richie Williams, 56 (caution)

SEA: Ryan Edwards, 63 (caution)

SEATTLE SWEEPS THROUGH VIRGINIA:Sounders Sail by Mariners for Third Straight Win
Posted 6/4/2005
Virginia Beach, Va.- Roger Levesque scored two second half goals and the Seattle Sounders swept both games of their first road trip of the season by defeating the Virginia Beach Mariners, 2-1, before 1,061 Saturday at the Virginia Beach Sports Complex. The win comes less than 24-hours after the Sounders defeated the Richmond Kickers.

It was a very defensive first 45 minutes with most of the play in the middle third of the field. The Mariners did get an early scoring opportunity when John Barry Nusum pushed a ball just wide of the left post from 18-yards up in the 4th minute.

The Sounders best first half scoring opportunity came in the final minutes. Jake Sagare sent a cross into the 18-yard box off the left side. The ball one hopped to Scott Jenkins who tried to turn into the ball at the top right of the 6-yard box but he could not make contact on the attempted header.

Recharged at halftime the Sounders (4-1-2) worked quickly to score the game’s first goal. Kevin Sakuda ran down a loose ball at the mid circle and slipped it ahead to C.J. Klaas. Klaas sprinted forward through the Mariner midfield and pushed the ball ahead to Levesque who split the last two Virginia Beach defenders, drawing out goalkeeper Matt Nelson. Levesque then slid the ball past Nelson at the left post for the 1-0 lead in the 47th minute.

Seattle’s lead became shaky when Klaas was issued a straight red card ejection in the 58th minute after retaliating for a hard foul against him by the Mariners Darren Caskey. For his efforts Caskey earned a yellow card but the altercation left the Sounders down a man for the rest of the match.

With Virginia Beach (1-8-4) pushing forward they left their back end vulnerable and Seattle capitalized by using the speed of their outside midfielders. Brent Whitfield chased a ball deep down the right side into Mariner territory, racing by two Virginia Beach defenders in the process. He sent the ball back to Ben Somoza who right footed the ball across the field to Franklin Chacon. Chacon juked inside a defender and slipped the ball ahead to Levesque. Levesque’s initial shot from 12 yards was knocked down by Mariner ‘keeper Nelson but he could not control the rebound and Levesque followed up his own shot with his second goal of the game in the 73rd minute.

Virginia Beach finally ended Preston Burpo’s shutout streak when Warren Ukah pounced on a bouncing ball at the left post and scored in stopppage time. Fortunately the goal came with under a minute left in the match and the Sounders were able to run out the remaining seconds.

Tonight’s match was a first for two rookie Sounders. James Ward saw action in the last three minutes of the match, recording his first minutes as a professional. In addition, Franklin Chacon recorded his first assisted of the season. Chacon earned his first point as a professional.

On another note, Preston Burpo went 540 minutes without a goal scored against him.

CJ Klaas recorded his third assist of the weekend and Roger Levesque recorded his third goal of the two game road trip.

The Sounders are idle for the next two weeks. They return to action June 21st when they host the Rochester Raging Rhinos at Qwest Field, 7pm. For tickets call 206.622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Soccer Complex

Virginia Beach, VA

June 4, 2005

Attendance: 1,061

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 2 2

Virginia Beach 0 1 1

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Scott Jenkins, Jake Segare (Franklin Chacon – 67), Ben Somoza (James Ward – 87), Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas, Roger Levesque, Welton Melo (Brent Whitfield – 53).

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer

VB: David Castellanos (Warren Ukah – 70), Stephen Danbusky, Matthew Nelson, Darren Caskey, Steve Shak, Joseph Morelli (Justin Thompson – 78), Kevin Knott, Ptah Myers (Josh Nolz – 56), Jakob Fenger-Larsen ( Hamisi Amani-Dove – 75)

Head Coach: Shawn McDonald

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA – Roger Levesque (CJ Klaas, Kevin Sakuda )

SEA – Levesque (Franklin Chacon)

VB - Warren Ukah (Josh Nolz-90)

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA: CJ Klaas, 58 (ejection)

VB: Darren Caskey, 58 (caution)

Sounders 3-0 over local Bosnian Side

June 17, 2005

TUKWILA- The Seattle Sounders played host to the All Nations Cup Champions, Bosnia tonight at the Starfire Sports Complex. Three different Sounders scored to capture the exhibition match victory 3-0.

In the first minute of the match forward Brent Whitfield found himself was wide open just inside the 18-yard box, his strong unchallenged shot hit the post and deflected into the Bosnian defense.

In the fourth minute a strong cross from outside midfielder CJ Klaas found the head of rookie forward Josh Hansen, the shot was just wide of the net.

Mirza Memic of the Bosnian team challenged Sounders goalkeeper Preston Burpo in the 17th minute after breaking through the defense, but the shot was just wide of the goal.

In the 38th minute the Sounder found the back of the net on a through pass from forward Brett Wiesner to midfield veteran Scott Jenkins for the 1-0 lead.

In the 57th minute rookie Franklin Chacon struck a shot from 15 yards out which was blocked by the Bosnian goalkeeper. The rebound landed at the feet of defender Jake Besagno who slammed the ball into the back of the Bosnian net to make the score 2-0 Sounders.

In the final minute of the game CJ Klaas scored and unassisted goal to give the Sounders the 3-0 victory over the All Nations Cup Champions, Bosnia.

Cautions:

Roger Levesque- Yellow Card, ‘26

Welton Melo – Yellow Card, ‘87

SEA Lineup: Preston Burpo (James Ward ’46), Taylor Graham (Ryan Edwards ’46), Scott Jenkins (Jake Sagare ’46), Jake Basagno, Gabe Sturm, CJ Klaas, Josh Hansen, Roger Levesque (Ben Somoza ’46), Brett Wiesner, Brent Whitfield (Welton Melo ’73), Franklin Chacon.

SOUNDERS TAME RHINOS 1-0 OFF STURM’S FIRST CAREER GOAL
Posted 6/22/2005
SEATTLE – Rookie Gabe Sturm scored his first goal as a Sounder late in the second half to give the Seattle Sounders a 1-0 victory over the Rochester Raging Rhinos Wednesday night at Qwest Field. Goalkeeper Preston Burpo secured his sixth shutout of the season with the win, which pushed Seattle’s record to 5-1-2 on the season.

An uneventful first saw precious few scoring chances for either squad, but Seattle almost got on the board just seconds after kickoff when Ben Somoza played Franklin Chacon down the right side. Chacon raced all the way to the end line before cutting the ball back to meet Jake Sagare’s run down the middle. With Rochester goalkeeper Scott Vallow out of position, Sagare seemingly had an easy tap-in goal, but two Rochester defenders converged on him at the last possible moment to break up the play.

Seattle and Rochester struggled to find their offense for the rest of the half, but the Raging Rhinos did have a goal disallowed in the 27th minute when John Ball found Mauro Carabajal inside the penalty area with a beautiful through pass. Carabajal calmly brushed off Burpo’s challenge before blasting a shot into the top corner, but the linesman had ruled his run to be offside.

The action in the second half would prove to be more interesting almost right from the opening whistle as both squads were reduced to 10 men following off-setting red cards in the 51th minute. Billy Sleeth and Billy Sedgewick got tangled up and went to ground on the left-side edge of the Seattle penalty area. Following an altercation between the two players, and eventually the two teams, the referee pulled out the red card and reduced the teams to 10 a side.

The game immediately changed following the ejections as both teams took advantage of the extra space on the field to open up their attacks. For the remainder of the game, there were numerous scoring chances on both ends, with Sounders defender Taylor Graham and the Rhinos forward Carabajal both going close twice with headers in front of goal.

The lone goal of the game came in the 86th minute and was the product of four pinpoint passes that ended with Sturm tapping in from close range. Roger Levesque controlled the ball at the top of the penalty area off a throw-in and touched a quick pass into the area for Weisner. Weisner quickly turned and slotted a perfectly weighted ball through to Whitfield, who one-timed his pass across goal in front of Sturm’s run – and the rookie made no mistake in putting the ball into the back of the open goal.

Rochester pressed for the equalizer in stoppage time, but wasn’t able to muster any shots at Burpo, and Seattle held on well to take the three points.

Seattle’s next game is Saturday, June 25 at Qwest Field as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

June 21, 2005

Weather: Partly cloudy, 60s.

Attendance: 1,799

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Rochester Raging Rhinos 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Billy Sleeth, Scott Jenkins, Kevin Sakuda, Ben Somoza (Brett Wiesner – 80), Roger Levesque, Jake Sagare (Gabe Sturm – 75), Welton Melo (Jake Besagno – 88), Franklin Chacon (Brent Whitfield – 67).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Josh Hansen.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

ROC: Scott Vallow, Frankie San Fillippo, Jason Perry, Scott Schweizter, Billy Sedgewick, John Ball (Scott Palguta – 72), Rene Rivas, Pato Aguilera (Stoian Mladenov – 83), Kirk Wilson, Jonathan Bolanos (Rey Martinez – 88), Mauro Carabajal (Greg Howes – 80).

Unused substitutes: Dusty Hudock, Tenywa Bonseu.

Head coach: Willie Fitzpatrick.

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA – Sturm (Whitfield), 86.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

ROC – Bolanos, 41 (caution).

ROC – Carabajal, 47 (caution).

SEA – Sleeth, 51 (ejection).

ROC – Sedgewick, 51 (ejection).

ROC – Perry, 55 (caution).

ROC – Aguilera, 62 (caution).

ROC – Rivas, 90 (caution).

WHITECAPS WITHSTAND LATE SOUNDERS SURGE TO HOLD ON TO 1-1 DRAW
Posted 6/26/2005
SEATTLE – Goalkeeper Mike Franks made two outstanding saves late in the second half to give the Vancouver Whitecaps a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders Saturday night at Qwest Field. Vancouver was fortunate to escape with the draw after Seattle effectively dominated the game’s final 15 minutes, but Franks’ timely saves bailed the them out. Ryan Edwards, who played a typically strong game on defense, scored the equalizer for Seattle.

The game marked the return of former Sounder and league MVP Leighton O’Brien, as he joined the injury- and suspension-ravaged Sounders on a two-game loan from Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake.

The first half almost got off to a disastrous start for the Sounders, as just seconds after kickoff Scott Jenkins was guilty of a lazy backpass to Taylor Graham, and Vancouver forward Ian Fuller alertly jumped on it. Fuller charged in alone at Preston Burpo before setting up strike partner Jason Jordan with a golden opportunity to score, but Jordan pushed his shot wide of the far post and let Seattle off the hook.

The Whitecaps dominated the opening 25 minutes of the match as the Sounders struggled to keep up with the Whitecaps aggressive midfield play and relentless runs off the ball. Vancouver was rewarded for its hard work with goal in the 19th minute from a fine individual effort from midfielder Steve Kindel.

Kindel epitomized Vancouver’s first-half work rate when he took on Ben Somoza in the Seattle penalty area, put the ball through Somoza’s legs and got behind him before ripping an unstoppable close-range drive past a helpless Burpo and just under the crossbar to give the Whitecaps the lead.

The Sounders finally found their legs by the half-hour mark, at which point forward Welton Melo produced Seattle’s best scoring chance of the half. O’Brien drove a free kick through to Welton at the top of the Vancouver penalty area, but instead of settling the ball, Welton turned with it and cracked a right-footed volley on goal that Franks knocked away with a fine diving save. The rebound came back out to Welton, who immediately volleyed it back on goal with his left, but the shot bounced harmlessly through to Franks, who scooped it up.

The second half started much like the first, with the Whitecaps almost scoring in the early going. In the 49th minute, a wide-open Alfredo Valente received the ball in the middle of the field and took off through the wealth of space in front of him. With Valente bearing down on a completely stranded Burpo, Edwards tracked him down in the penalty area and made a fine tackle before Valente could shoot. With Edwards and Burpo both on the ground, Valente recovered and managed to get a shot off, but Burpo made the save laying on his back.

Franklin Chacon came on for Brent Whitfield in the 61st minute to bolster the Sounders’ attack, and Seattle found the equalizer three minutes later. Surrounded by three defenders, Edwards received the ball off a Somoza throw-in 10 yards from goal and was dispossessed. Roger Levesque was in the mix and managed to play the ball back to Edwards, who quickly turned and blasted a right-footed shot into the roof of the net to tie the match at 1-1.

Rookie forward Brett Wiesner was inserted in the 76th minute and almost immediately made his presence felt as the Sounders’ attack began to overwhelm a severely stressed Vancouver defense. Indeed, just four minutes later, Wiesner found himself with an excellent chance to score the game-winning goal.

Welton chased a through pass into the penalty area, but Franks came out sliding to knock the ball off Welton’s foot. The ball deflected back to Wiesner with a wide-open goal gaping in front of him. The rookie calmly made his way around two defenders, but he took too much time in getting off an agonizingly weak left-footed shot, which Franks was able to save after scrambling back to his line.

Another great chance for Seattle to take the lead went begging in 84th thanks to another great save by Franks. Welton found Wiesner at the top of the penalty area with a defense-splitting through ball, which Wiesner one-timed across to Levesque. With Franks charging off his line, Levesque hit a half-volley with the outside of his foot, but Franks made a great save to smother it and preserve Vancouver’s share of the points.

The Sounders and Whitecaps play again tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C. Seattle then returns home to play in a U.S. Open Cup second-round match Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Salinas Valley Samba at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. Following a two-game road trip, the Sounders return home to play the Portland Timbers on Friday, July 8 at the Starfire Sport Complex at 8 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

June 25, 2005

Weather: Clear skies, sunny, 70s.

Attendance: 2,696

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Vancouver Whitecaps 1 0 1

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Scott Jenkins, Kevin Sakuda, Leighton O’Brien, Ben Somoza, Brent Whitfield, (Franklin Chacon – 61), Gabe Sturm (Brett Wiesner – 76), Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Andrew Gregor, Josh Hansen, Jake Besagno.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

VAN: Mike Franks, Nick Dasovic (Mark Watson – 84), Geordie Lyall (Dave Morris – 81), Liam de Silva, Kevin Harmse, Jeff Clarke, Steve Klein, Alfredo Valente (Chris Franks – 63), Steve Kindel (Martin Nash – 81), Ian Fuller, (Joe Gjertsen – 72), Jason Jordan.

Unused substitutes: Josh Wick, Carlo Corrazin.

Head coach: Robert P. Lilley.

GOAL SUMMARY

VAN – Kindel, 19.

SEA – Edwards (Levesque), 64.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Edwards, 68

Seattle Sounders and Whitecaps Battle to Third Draw in Their Match Up of Season
Posted 6/27/2005
Vancouver, B.C.-- The Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps battled to a scoreless tie before a sellout crowd of 5,722 Sunday night at Swangard Stadium. The evenly played match could have gone either way, but the final say was had by the goalkeepers, as the two teams shared the points. All three games between these teams this season have been tied.

Goalkeeper Preston Burpo made four saves off 10 shots to earn his fifth shutout of the season. Burpo is the league's top goalkeeper with 0.25 goals against average.

Seattle striker Roger Levesque had a great chance seven minutes into the match when he broke in down the right, but Mike Franks came out and smothered the shot. On the quick counter attack by Vancouver, Carlo Corazzin had a good chance at 8', but headed just over the bar.

Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo was called upon to make several saves, including a first time blast from Dave Morris at the edge of the box in the 32nd minute that was right at the keeper, and a hard curling shot from Martin Nash on the right at 47th minute mark that was well held.

Jason Jordan twice made a brilliant spin-a-rama move just to the left of goal to beat his marker cleanly. He did it first at 70'th minute but his cross then went behind everyone. The second time at 85th minute, he went for a goal himself, but from a tight angle could not squeeze his shot past Burpo at the near post from a yard away.

In the 84th minute the Sounders challenged Whitecaps keeper Mike Franks to make his biggest save of the game as rookie forward Brett Wiesner carried the ball into the right side of the 18 yard box and cross the ball into the feet of a sliding Roger Levesque.

In the 85th minute the Sounders made a last attempt to put the ball past Vancouver keeper, Franks when Levesque layed a ball off to Billy Sleeth, Sleeth drove a ball from the endline back into the penalty box, 14 yards out to rookie midfielder Brent Whitfield who rocketed a shot just wide of the the Whitecaps goal.

Seattle finished the game a player down, after midfielder Leighton O'Brien was shown his second yellow card in the 89th minute. The son of former Whitecap Fran O'Brien, the 2002 league MVP was on a short-term loan to Seattle from Real Salt Lake of MLS.

The Sounders remain undefeated in nine games since their home opener against Portland on April 3oth.

The Sounders have the best defense in the league, only allowing three goals in nine games.

In the tight First Division standings, only a point divides third place from eighth. Seattle is 5-1-4 for 19 points, in fourth place. Vancouver's record is now 6-3-3 for 22 points, keeping them in second place, now three points up on Montreal, Rochester, and Seattle, and four back of leaders Richmond Kickers.

The Sounders next home match is June 29th at Starfire Sports Complex as they play host to the Salinas Valley Samba in the Second Round of the US Open Cup. Kick off is set for 7:30pm. They resume league play July 2nd and 3rd when they travel to Minnesota and Montreal, respectively.

Scoring Summary:

No goals

Game Notes:

Whitecaps: 1.Mike Franks - 12.Geordie Lyall, 6.Mark Watson (16.Kevin Harmse 78'), 14.Liam de Silva, 8.Steve Kindel - 20.Dave Morris (24.Ryan Trout 74'), 2.Jeff Clarke, 3.Steve Klein (4.Nick Dasovic 56'), 7.Martin Nash - 17.Joey Gjertsen (26.Jason Jordan 60'), 19.Carlo Corazzin (15.Ian Fuller 55')

Seattle: 23.Preston Burpo - 8.Billy Sleeth, 26.Taylor Graham, 6.Ryan Edwards, 2.Scott Jenkins - 21.Ben Somoza (7.Brent Whitfield 69'), 22.Leighton O'Brien, 12.Gabriel Sturm (11.Franklin Chacon 45'), 15.Kevin Sakuda - 18.Roger Levesque, 19.Welton Melo (14.Brett Wiesner 81')

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Swangard Stadium, BC (attendance: 5,722)

Shots: Vancouver 10 Seattle 11

Saves: Vancouver 4 Seattle 4

Fouls: Vancouver 16 Seattle 9

Offside: Vancouver 3 Seattle 1

Corner Kicks: Vancouver 4 Seattle 4

Referee: Daniel Belleau (Quebec)

Cautions:

Vancouver: Clarke 23'

Seattle: Sakuda 34', O'Brien 80' & 89'

Ejections:

Seattle: O'Brien 89' - 2nd yellow 

SOUNDERS KICKOFF U.S. OPEN CUP CAMPAIGN WITH 3-1 WIN
Posted 6/30/2005
TUKWILA, Wash. – Rookie midfielder Brent Whitfield scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the Seattle Sounders to a 3-1 victory over the Salinas Valley Samba in their opening match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night at the Starfire Sports Complex.

The Samba withstood a first-half onslaught to take a shock 1-0 lead early in the second half thanks to a cool finish from midfielder Adam Smarte, but the California team from the National Premier Soccer League eventually succumbed to an overwhelming Seattle attack, which scoring three unanswered goals in the second half.

The Sounders dominated the first half of play – out shooting the Samba 13-3 – hitting the woodwork four times and having an apparent goal disallowed by the referee in the process.

Though the Samba spent most of the first 45 minutes pinned back in their own defensive third, they did a good job of keeping the Sounders out of their penalty area and limiting most of Seattle’s shots to long-range efforts.

The Sounders only had one breakdown in the half, and it came in the 13th minute. Salinas Valley midfielder Mark Hogenhout stole the ball cleanly from C.J. Klaas in the midfield and charged up field before sending teammate Adam Smarte in alone on goal. Preston Burpo alertly charged out to the edge of his area to clear the ball out before Smarte could get a shot off.

Seattle had all of the run of play from that point on. In the 16th minute, Taylor Graham had no less than three chances to score from directly in front of the Samba goal. First, he put a solid header from an Andrew Gregor free kick on goal, but goalkeeper Christian Materazzi was there to knock it over the line. On the resulting corner kick, Graham rose superbly at the near post to thunder another header off the bar, then put the rebound back onto bar again with a left footed blast from point-blank range.

Two-minutes later, Klaas sent a booming 20-yard shot on goal that was saved by Materazzi, and then in the 29th, narrowly missed the top corner with a left-footed drive from 25 yards out.

Kevin Sakuda unleashed a powerful drive in the 37th minute from 30 yards out that completely froze Materazzi but crashed off of the left upright, across the goalmouth and out. Four minutes later, Gregor played Brett Wiesner into the box, but the rookie forward was denied when his chip over Materazzi hit the top of the near post and bounced out.

Gregor and Graham almost hooked up again in the 43rd minute for what looked to be an apparent goal when Graham touched Gregor’s free kick past Materazzi, but the linesman ruled Graham off side on the play.

All the missed chances came back to haunt the Sounders when the Samba took the lead just minutes into the second half. The goal came in the 51st minute, when a messy Sounders clearance deflected to a completely unmarked Smarte 10 yards from the front of the Seattle goal. Smarte coolly slotted the ball over Burpo and into the far corner to put Salinas Valley on top 1-0.

Roger Levesque and Brent Whitfield proved to be inspired second-half substitutes by coach Brian Schmetzer, and in the 65th minute Whitfield got Seattle back into the game with a well-taken goal after a brilliant individual effort by defender Billy Sleeth. Sleeth took the ball into the penalty area by going through three defenders before touching it ahead for Whitfield, who quickly poked the ball in off the far post to equalize the match.

Ten minutes later, Franklin Chacon whipped in a perfect cross from deep down the left side, which Whitfield headed down for Levesque at the near post, and Levesque made no mistake in tapping it by Materazzi to put Seattle in the lead.

After being forced back in their own end for the majority of the second half, the Samba took advantage of the four minutes of stoppage time to push forward and threatened to tie the game on a couple of occasions, but no shots got through to Burpo thanks to some timely blocks by Sounders defenders.

With just seconds left in the game, Seattle put the game away when Levesque turned inside his defender right on the Samba end line before laying the ball off in the middle of the penalty area for Whitfield, who ran up and buried his shot in off the near post to put his stamp on a convincing win.

Following a two-game road trip, the Sounders return home to play the Portland Timbers on Friday, July 8 at the Starfire Sport Complex at 8 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Salinas Valley Samba

Starfire Sports Complex

Tukwila, WA

June 29, 2005

Weather: Clear skies, sunny, 70s.

Attendance: 521

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 3 3

Salinas Valley Samba 0 1 1

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Zach Scott (Welton Melo – 69), Taylor Graham, Gabe Sturm, Billy Sleeth, Ben Somoza (Brent Whitfield – 46), Kevin Sakuda, Franklin Chacon, C.J. Klaas, Andrew Gregor (Roger Levesque – 61), Brett Wiesner (Jake Besagno – 80).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Josh Hansen.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

SAL: Christian Materazzi, Nate Northup, Nick Lackey, Tommy Hernandez, Erick Supnet, Lee Pricer (Stephan Wondolowski – 73), Joel Sanchez (David Frank – 68), Mark Hogenhaut, Jeffrey Stepan (Nick Kowba – 82), Ismael Ibarra, Adam Smarte (Ram Ananda – 63).

Unused substitutes: Matt Biggam, Mike Bielski.

Head coach: Artie Cairel.

GOAL SUMMARY

SAL: Smarte, 51.

SEA: Whitfield (Sleeth), 65.

SEA: Levesque (Whitfield), 75.

SEA: Whitfield, (Levesque), 90.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA: Burpo, 45.

SOUNDERS GET THREE SECOND HALF GOALS, DEFEAT THUNDER 3-1
Posted 7/3/2005
(St.Paul, MN) - The Seattle Sounders defeated the Minnesota Thunder 3-1 on Saturday night, the first game of a two-game road trip.

Minnesota spent most of the first half on the attack. In the 19th minute Godfrey Tenoff took a cross from Kiki Lara at the top of the Seattle 18 yard box and lined it just inches over the crossbar. Seattle countered just minutes later with one of their best chances of the first half when Zach Scott's header off a Ben Somoza throw in went over the bar from five yards out.

The Thunder earned a corner kick in the 24th minute and with little resistance from the Sounders were able to convert. Instead of a cross Jeff Matteo played the corner kick out to the top right corner of the penalty area. Chris Brunt one-touched it across the top of the box, a ball the Sounders had opportunity to clear but instead were caught flat-footed. The ball rolled to Johnny Menyonger who skipped it into the back of the net at the left post.

The Sounders had another opportunity in the 38th minute as Somoza dragged the ball down the right side and whipped a cross into the box for Welton. The Brazilian attempted to flick the ball out of the air from five yards up only to see the ball deflect off defender Brunt.

Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer made one change before the start of the second half, inserting the speedy Whitfield for midfielder Gabe Sturm on the right flank. The change paid dividends immediatley as C.J. Klass slotted a perfect ball to Whitfield as he ran past Thunder defender Kevin Wilson in the 46th minute. Whitfield dribbled into the 18-yard box drawing out Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren, then touched a pass off to his left where Welton Melo rocketed a right-footer in from 14 yards up to tie the score.

Minnesota looked to regain the lead in the 50th minute but Sounder 'keeper Preston Burpo snuffed out the opportunity with a diving save off Menyonger's shot from 8-yards.

Minutes later the Sounders grabbed the lead for good when Whitfield waited on a high bounce 20 yards up from the Thunder goal and unleashed a rocket that screamed past Warren, just inside the right post. The Thunder tried for the equalizer in the 64th minute but again Burpo was able to dive off his line and scoop up Jeff Matteo's free kick attempt from 25 yards out.

Seattle salted away the win on a controversial play. Klass pushed the ball through two Thunder defenders from midfield. Roger Levesque ran around the outside of the defenders in an attempt to chase down the ball. Meanwhile Warren came racing off his line, sliding toward the ball at the top of the penalty box. The ball, Levesque and Warren all arrived at the same time. Levesque toed the ball into the sliding Warren then went flying over top the Minnesota 'keeper. The ball ricocheted off Warren and while the entire Thunder team converged on Levesque arguing for a foul, play never stopped and Klass ripped home his first professional goal from 12 yards out in the 73rd minute.

The Sounders travel to Montreal tomorrow for a game with the defending A-League Champions, the Montreal Impact. Kick off is set for 7:00pm (ET). Listen to Thom Beuning call the action beginning at 6:40 pm (ET).

The win improved the Sounders record to 6-1-4, 22 points.

Cautions / Ejections

# Suarez, Mn 45'

# Levesque, Sea 57'

# Brunt Mn, 71'

# Warren, Mn 71'

# Matteo, Mn 74'

# Whitfield, Sea 79'

Subs:

Sea: Whitfield (Sturm) 45', Chacon (Somoza) 70', Wiesner (Melo) 79'

Minn: Alberts (Schmidt) 66', Hargis (Wilson) 71', Tarley (Paye) 77', Knox (Branan) 88'

Attendance: 2668

Shots Minn 14, Sea 5

Saves Burpo 7, Warren 3

Fouls Sea 12, Minn 10

Offsides 2 each

Corners: Minn 6, Sea 1

Starters

Seattle- Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Ryan Edwards, Taylor Graham, Zach Scott, Ben Samoza, Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klass, Gabe Sturm, Roger Levesque and Welton Melo

Minnesota- Joe Warren, Bret Branan, Chris Brunt, Mike Wilson, Freddy Juarez, Godfrey Tenoff, Jeff Mateo, Matt Schmidt, Kiki Lara, Johnny Menyonger and Aaron Paye

ROAD-WEARY SOUNDERS FALL 3-1 TO MONTREAL IMPACT
Posted 7/4/2005
MONTREAL, Que. - Ali Gerba scored two first half goals, including one aided by the elements, and the Monteal Impact ended the Seattle Sounders ten game unbeaten streak with a, 3-1, win Sunday at Claude Robillard Stadium. It was the first meeting between the two clubs since last September's championship game, also won by the Impact.

Two teams known for their stingy defense and not their offensive prowess, combined for all three goals in the first half. Montreal (7-0-4) struck twice with the first coming in the 7th minute. The goal was credited to Gerba but it went into the Sounder goal off Seattle defender Zach Scott as he attempted to play it over the end line for a Montreal corner kick.

Sounders defender Ryan Edward's third goal of the season evened the score in the 11th minute. C.J. Klass crossed the ball off a free kick to the back post where Zach Scott headed it into the middle of the six yard box where Edwards headed it into the back of the net from five yards out.

It appeared the game would reach intermission even at 1-1, but Montreal was awarded a free kick from 40-yards out in the 45th minute. With the setting sun directly in the eyes of Sounder goalkeeper Preston Burpo, Gerba unsleashed a line drive toward the Sounder net. Blinded by the sunlight Burpo couldn't pick up ball and it sailed by him and into the back of the goal.

The Sounders (6-2-4), drained from a day of travel after a match the night before in Minnesota, could not seem to get their legs under them in the second half and spent very little time in the offensive third of the field until the waning minutes of the game. Burpo kept it close with some diving saves, denying Gerba a thid goal in the 51st minute and again in the 53rd minute.

Seattle's best second half scoring opportunity came in the 68th minute will Billy Sleeth chipped the ball through a defenders legs from 8-yards but Impact 'keeper Andrew Olivieri dropped on the ball right on the goal line.

The Sounders did put some pressure on Olivieri in the final few minutes of regulation and added time. Brent Whitfield played a header from Taylor Graham wide at the left post and Kevin Sakuda's strike from 25 yards out curled wide at the right post. Twice Klass sent cormers into the six box but the Sounders could not get a foot on the loose ball before Olivieri corralled it or an Impact defender cleared it out of harms way.

Montreal then sealed the win with a counter down the left side in stoppage time. Ze Roberto played the ball off to a streaking Darko Kolis who dribbled into the penalty box off the right side and slotted the ball under Burpo's right arm from 10 yards away.

The loss was the first on the road for the Sounders in five away games (3-1-1). The Sounders next play Friday, July 8th hosting the Portland Timbers at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

Starters:

Seattle- Burpo, Sleeth, Edwards, Graham, Scott, Samoza, Sakuda, Klass, Whitfield, Levesque and Melo

Montreal- Andrew Olivieri, Nevio Pizzilotto, Adrian Conn, Mauricio Vincello, Lors Lyssond, Jason Ditullio, Mosahiro Fukasawa, Ze Roberto, Antonio Ribeiro, Ali Gerba, Mauro Bello

YC: Mont Gerba 45", Mont Ribeiro, 67'

Subs:

Seattle: Chacon (Somoza), 58', Wiesner (Melo) 73', Sturm (Scott) 76'

Montreal: Fronimadis (DiTullio) 76', Mert (Biello) 79', Kolis (Ribeiro) 89'

Shots: Sea 9, Mont 19

Saves: Burpo 10, Olivieri 6

Fouls: Sea 10, Mont 15

Offsides: Sea 0, Mont 3

Corners: Sea 9, Mont 7

Attendance: 11,796

SOUNDERS OUTSCORE TIMBERS 4-2 IN THRILLER IN TUKWILA
Posted 7/9/2005
TUKWILA, Wash. – Defender Taylor Graham scored two goals and rookie Gabe Sturm chipped in with a goal and an assist to lead the Seattle Sounders past the Portland Timbers 4-2 Saturday night in front of a packed house of 3,204 fans at the Starfire Sports Complex.

The Sounders put in a commanding first-half performance and was leading 3-0 after the 55-minute mark, but Portland came back with two goals in an eight-minute span before Graham put the game away in the 89th when he headed in an Andrew Gregor free kick to send the lively Starfire crowd into jubilation.

Portland’s attacking opportunities were extremely limited in the first half due to Seattle controlling the majority of the play. The Sounders were firing on all cylinders in the game’s first 25 minutes, keeping the Timbers pinned back in their own end and creating numerous scoring opportunities.

The first came in the 10th minute when a C.J. Klaas corner kick found Roger Levesque running to the near post. Levesque powered a bullet header past goalkeeper Josh Saunders, but midfielder Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar was there on the line to head the ball out.

Having all of the run of play by the 19th minute, Sturm opened the scoring when Levesque sent him in on goal with a nifty back-heel pass. Sturm coolly knocked a left-footed shot past a helpless Saunders and into the corner of the net to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.

The Timbers began to get a little bit of the ball approaching the half-hour mark, but the Sounders nearly doubled the lead in the 28th when Billy Sleeth’s cross from the right side was headed just wide of the far post by Levesque, who had made room for himself just inside the penalty spot.

Two minutes later, the referee awarded Seattle a penalty kick after Levesque was bowled over by Saunders just inside the penalty area while chasing down a long ball from Sturm. Forward Welton Melo stepped up to the spot but blasted his shot off the crossbar, and the score remained 1-0.

Portland’s lone chance of the first half came in the 37th minute when forward Dan Antoniuk charged through the Seattle defense, put on the breaks and ripped a low drive from the top of the penalty area that beat Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo but skimmed just wide of the left upright.

The Sounders made the Timbers pay for that missed chance when Graham doubled the Seattle lead in first-half stoppage time. Sturm sent in a free kick from 30 yards out on the right side that Graham met at the top of the six-yard box and thumped past Saunders to give Seattle a 2-0 lead at the interval.

Portland came out strong in the second half, but Welton almost scored inside seven minutes when he got behind the Timbers defense only to be again denied by the woodwork when his close-range shot came back off the near post, across goal and out of danger.

Levesque atoned for Welton’s miss four minutes later when he put Seattle up 3-0 in the 56th minute. Ben Somoza played Kevin Sakuda through to the end line just outside the six-yard box on the right side. Sakuda unleashed a rasping drive on goal, which Saunders palmed over himself and right to Levesque, who was waiting at the far post. Falling backwards, Levesque blooped a header over a flailing Saunders and into the goal to give Seattle a commanding lead early in the second half.

The Timbers fought back immediately, and were rewarded with a penalty kick at the hour mark after a foul by Sleeth inside the 18-yard box. Byron Alvarez buried the resulting spot kick to put Portland on the board.

Levesque had a golden opportunity in the 65th to restore Seattle’s lead back to three goals, but he side-footed Somoza’s low cross from the left side well over the bar 10 yards away from the goalmouth.

A minute later, Burpo made a huge save when he sprawled to his left to swat away a header by Antoniuk. Alvarez fired the rebound between Burpo’s legs, but two Seattle defenders were behind him to clear the ball out.

Then in the 68th, Higgins beat Burpo with a classy header from a cross by Edwin Miranda that settled inside the side netting at the far post to bring Portland within a goal of tying the game.

For the game’s final 20 minutes, the two teams battled fiercely and exchanged half chances. In the 70th, Somoza blazed a shot over the bar from 20 yards out. Four minutes later, Higgins sent a line drive right at Burpo after a bad clearance by the ‘keeper. Then in the 81st, Higgins threatened again, but his header from an Alvarez cross bounced just wide.

The Sounders put the game out of reach a minute from full time after winning a free kick near the right corner flag. Gregor drove in a hard cross that Graham headed just inside the far post while falling down to give Seattle their first Cascadia Cup victory of the 2005 season.

Following a three-game road trip, the Sounders return to Qwest Field to play English Premier League team Sunderland FC on Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. Seattle’s next United Soccer Leagues First Division match at Qwest Field is the following Saturday, July 23, as they host the Minnesota Thunder at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Portland Timbers

Starfire Sports Complex

Tukwila, WA

July 8, 2005

Weather: Cloudy, intermittent showers, 60s.

Attendance: 3,204

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 2 2 4

Portland Timbers 0 2 2

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott (Brent Whitfield – 61), Kevin Sakuda, Gabe Sturm, C.J. Klaas, Ben Somoza (Franklin Chacon – 76), Roger Levesque (Jake Sagare – 88), Welton Melo (Andrew Gregor – 61).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Jake Besagno, Brett Wiesner.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

POR: Josh Saunders, Scot Thompson, Gavin Wilkinson, Lee Morrison, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Edwin Miranda, Brian Winters, Shaun Higgins, Aaron Lines, Byron Alvarez, Daniel Antoniuk.

Unused substitutes: Sam Reynolds, Garrett Markham, Scott Benedetti, Jarrod Weis, Fadi Afash.

Head coach: Bobby Howe.

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA: Sturm (Levesque), 19.

SEA: Graham (Sturm), 45+.

SEA: Levesque, 56.

POR: Alvarez, 60.

POR: Higgins (Miranda), 68.

SEA: Graham (Gregor), 89.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR: Saunders, 30 (caution).

SEA: Sakuda, 32 (caution).

POR: Lines, 42 (caution).

SEA: Sleeth, 48 (caution).

POR: Alcaraz-Cuellar, 83 (caution).

Sounders Come From Behind to Draw with Minnesota 2-2
Posted 7/11/2005
Saint Paul, Minn - Zach Scott and Andrew Gregor each tallied once and the Seattle Sounders rallied from an early two goal deficit to earn a, 2-2, tie with the Minnesota Thunder Sunday at James Griffin Stadium. The Sounders have now earned points in five of six road games and are unbeaten in their last two games overall.

For the second straight game in Minnesota the Sounders got off to a poor start and the Thunder took advantage.

In the sixth minute Thunder forward Aaron Paye chased a ball down the left side and slipped past Sounder defender Ryan Edwards. As Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo came off his line to challenge, Paye shoved the ball off the outside of his right foot past Burpo and into the net at the back post.

While Seattle was trying to recover from that goal Minnesota wasted little timing in adding to their lead. Melvin Tarley raced down the right side but was chased down from behind by Seattle defender Billy Sleeth. As Sleeth challenged Tarley for the ball at the top right corner of the penalty box, Burpo came out to challenge for the ball. As he did Tarley was able to get a bouncing shot off. The ball kissed off the left post and caromed in for a 2-0, Thunder lead in the 7th minute.

The Sounders finally regrouped and were able to get one of the goals back in the 27th minute. On a throw-in off the right touch line from 15 yards up, midfielder Ben Somoza arched a perfect ball to the top of the six-yard box. Seattle defender Zach Scott rose to meet the ball at its apex and with his back to the goal, headed the ball under the crossbar for his first goal of the season.

As he did a week ago against Minnesota, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer made key substitutions at halftime by inserting Andrew Gregor in for Gabe Sturm and Brent Whitfield in for Somoza.

Whitfield, who came on in the second half in the last meeting of the two teams to score a goal and earn an assist immediately drew the attention of at least two Thunder defenders every time the ball came his way on the right side. This opened space for the Sounders in the middle and left side of the pitch.

In the 52nd minute Minnesota was assessed a foul as Seattle tried to push the ball wide left. The Sounders set up for the free kick 35 yards from the Thunder goal. C.J. Klass faked the free kick and sprinted by allowing Gregor to run in behind him and let fly with a left-footer that curled and dipped under the bar at the right post. Gregor who missed the first 12 games with a foot injury has now collected an assist and a goal in the first two league games he has played.

The Seattle Sounders next match is on the road in Portland as they take on the Timbers in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, July 12. Kick off at PGE Park is set for 7pm. The Sounders next USL game is also on the road as they travel to Rochester as they take on the Raging Rhinos July 15the at 4:35pm (PT). Listen live on KKNW 1150-AM for the pre-game show beginning at 4:05pm (PT).

The Sounders are now 14 games/ half way through the 2005 season. They begin the second half of the USL season on Friday. Rochester is currently in 2nd place in the USL standings with 28 points and the Sounders are tied in 4th place with the Whitecaps with 26 points. Visit www.seattlesounders.net for up to date information on the Sounders. Call 206.622.3415 for more information.

Game Notes:

Zach Scott- Netted first goal of 2005 season.

Ben Somoza- Recorded first assist of season.

Andrew Gregor- Two USL games played with one assist (Portland) and one goal (Minnesota).

Scoring Summary:

MN: Payne 6’

MN: Tarley 7’

SEA: Scott (Somoza) 27’

SEA: Gregor 52’

Cautions/ Ejections:

SEA: Levesque 78’

MN: Brunt 78’

SEA: Edwards 82’ Ejection

MN: Hargis 87’

Lineups:

SEA- Burpo, Edwards, Sakuda, Klaas, Levesque, Scott, Sleeth, Melo (Chacon 74’), Sturm (Gregor 46’), Graham, Somoza (Whitfield 46’)

MN- Jeff Mettao (Jonathon Hargis 66’), Joe Warren, Nathan Knox, Chris Brant, Mike Wilson, Jay Alberts (James Prosser 86’), Chris Vorenkamp (Chad Dombrowski 80’), Matt Schmidt, Kiki Lara (Godfrey Tenoff 66’), Melvin Tarley, Aaron Paye (Johnny Menyonger 72’)

Seattle Falls 2-0 to Portland in the Third Round of U.S. Open Cup Play Tuesday Night at PGE Park
Posted 7/13/2005
PORTLAND, Ore.- The Seattle Sounders fell 2-0 tonight to the Portland Timbers at PGE Park in Portland. With the win the Timbers go on to the fourth round of the Open Cup to host the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer on August 3rd at PGE Park. Tonight’s match was a typical physical match between the two rivals as the fouls were 20-26, Seattle-Portland, respectively.

In the first half of action Sounders goalkeeper Preston Burpo was put to the test as the Timbers hammered four shots forcing Burpo to make extravagant diving saves. In the first three minutes of the match the Timbers were rewarded with two corner kicks resulting in Burpo coming out 12 and eight yards respectively to punch the ball out to Sounders midfielders.

Burpo and the Sounders were challenged again in the 14th minute when Billy Sleeth was called for a foul that was controversial. The slide tackle Sleeth made on Timbers forward Hugo Alvarez was just 22 yards from the Sounders goal. Alvarez set up on the free kick to the left of the Sounders goal and struck the ball just past the diving Burpo’s fingertips into the net for a Timber’s goal.

The Sounders were also on the attack as the challenged Timber’s goalkeeper Josh Saunders three times in the first half. In the 20th minute midfielder Ben Somoza rocketed a shot from the left corner of the 18-yard box, but Saunders was able to control it.

In the 33rd minute Ryan Edwards challenged Saunders as he sent a 30-yard line drive forcing Saunders to tip the shot just over the cross bar.

In the remaining seconds for the first half Timbers forward Dan Antoniuk sent Burpo sliding across his line to slap out the bouncing shot.

In the 50th minute Taylor Graham made a darting run into the 6-yard box to receive a cross from Somoza. Graham slammed a shot into the hand of Saunders.

On the counter attack Byron Alvarez broke away from the Sounders defense and passed the ball off the left midfielder Brian Winters who dribbled the ball to the end line and crossed it back to B. Alvarez who shot the ball one touch into the hands of Burpo.

In the 55th minute left midfielder Somoza dribbled the ball through three Timber’s defender and ripped a shot from just outside the top of the 18 yard box and hit the left post sending the ball across the face of the open goal and out of bounds.

The Sounders were unlucky again when defender Zach Scott was called for a foul inside the penalty box. The Timbers capitalized on the penalty kick and extended their lead 2-0.

Dan Antoniuck was credited for the goal.

The Sounders had another opportunity to score in 66th minute when midfielder Andrew Gregor stood over a free kick 30 yards out from the Portland goal. Gregor’s shot hit the right post and rolled over the end line for a Timber’s goal kick.

The Seattle Sounder continue their road games as they travel to Rochester Friday to take on the Rhinos at 7pm (ET) and then travel to Toronto to face the Lynx (7pm ET) for the first time this season. Follow the Sounder’s matches live on KKNW- 1150 AM, click the listen live link on the Sounders home page for the broadcast. For more information visit www.seattlesounders.net or call 206.622.3415.

Cautions:

POR: Edwin Miranda 49’

POR: Byron Alvarez 52'

POR: Tom Poltl 37'

SEA: Ryan Edwards 65’

SEA: Andrew Gregor 76’

SEA: Zach Scott 90'

Ejections:

POR: Byron Alvarez (2 yellow) 77’

Line Ups:

SEA: Burpo, Sleeth (Melo 62’), Edwards, Scott, Graham (Wiesner 90’), Somoza (Sagare 57’), Whitfield (Chacon 74’), Klaas, Gregor, Levesque, Sakuda

POR: Josh Saunders, Scot Thompson, Tom Poltl, Hugo Alvarez, Edwin Miranda, Brian Winters, Dan Antoniuk, Byron Alvarez, Aaron Lines, Lee Morrison, Garrett Marcum 

Taylor Graham and Andrew Gregor Represent the Sounders in USL Week 12 Team of the Week: Graham Player of the Week
Posted 7/13/2005
SEATTLE- The Seattle Sounders were represented in the United Soccer Leagues week 12 team of the week by midfielder Andrew Gregor and defender Taylor Graham. Graham was honored in week five as well however, this week Graham is the Player of the Week for his aggressive play when he notched his first two goals of the season in leading his squad to a 4-2 win over the Portland Timbers on Fox Soccer Channel Friday night.

Just before halftime, with the Sounders holding a 1-0 lead, midfielder Gabe Sturm sent a 30 yard free-kick curling towards the back post where Graham nodded it home for his first tally of the night.

He put the game out of reach in the 89th minute when midfielder Andrew Gregor also sent a free-kick towards the far post. Another header for Graham as he was falling down secured the brace and gave the Sounders a 4-2 victory.

Graham is the only Sounder to play in every match so far this season. In those 1260 minutes he has recorded two goals. Graham has been a strong, dependable defender for the Sounders this season.

Graham joins the Sounders for his first season after playing for the Kansas City Wizards in 2003 and 2004. While playing for the Wizards last season, Graham totaled 760 minutes and scored one goal.

A Stanford University graduate and a four year letter winner, Graham captained the Stanford Cardinals to an 18-5-2 record and an appearance in the NCAA College Cup final. He started all 25 games, scored one goal on the season, and was named to the All Pac-10 First Team and Third Team All-Far West by NSCAA/Adidas his senior year in 2002. In 2001 he was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection, First Team All-Academic Pac-10 honoree, started all 22 games, tallying one goal and four assists for a total of six points. Graham helped anchor a back line that held opponents to just 13 goals on the season, an overall 0.56 goals against average, and 12 shutouts.

The United Soccer Leagues also honored Andrew Gregor this week for his goal and assist in the win over Portland and the tie with Minnesota. Gregor was out the first half of the season due to a broken right foot. He has seen action in only to USL games this season. In those 74 minutes played Gregor has tallied one goal and one assist.

Gregor played with the Sounders in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, he signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Portland Timbers. He rejoins Seattle for a third season as a Sounder in 2005. At the University of Portland Gregor started 69 of 70 games played in his collegiate career. Gregor received numerous awards in college including West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year in 1994 and was a four-time All-West Coast Conference selection.

Gregor was also a member of the U-20 national team from 1992-1995 as well as a member of the U-18 national team from 1992-1993. In 1997 he was the captain of the bronze-winning national team at the World University Games. A year later he was drafted by the Columbus Crew of the MLS in the college draft. He joined the Sounders in 1999 and is now in his sixth season with the team. In 2002 he was one of three Sounders selected to the A-League First Team.

Seattle Falls 2-0 to Portland in the Third Round of U.S. Open Cup Play Tuesday Night at PGE Park
Posted 7/13/2005
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Seattle Sounders fell 2-0 tonight to the Portland Timbers at PGE Park in Portland. Tonight’s match was a typical physical match between the two rivals as the fouls were 20-26, Seattle-Portland, respectively.

In the first half of action, Sounders goalkeeper Preston Burpo was put to the test as the Timbers hammered four shots forcing Burpo to make extravagant diving saves. In the first three minutes of the match, the Timbers were rewarded two corner kicks resulting in Burpo coming out 12 and eight yards respectively to punch the ball out to Sounders midfielders.

Burpo and the Sounders were challenged again in the 14th minute when Billy Sleeth was called for a controversial foul. The slide tackle Sleeth made on Timbers forward Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar was just 22 yards from the Sounders goal. Alcaraz-Cuellar set up on the free kick to the left of the Sounders goal and struck the ball just past the diving Burpo’s fingertips into the net for a Timbers goal.

The Sounders were also on the attack as the challenged Timbers goalkeeper Josh Saunders three times in the first half. In the 20th minute, midfielder Ben Somoza rocketed a shot from the left corner of the 18-yard box, but Saunders was able to control it.

In the 33rd minute, Ryan Edwards challenged Saunders as he sent a 30-yard line drive on goal - forcing Saunders to tip the shot just over the cross bar.

In the remaining seconds for the first half, Timbers forward Dan Antoniuk sent Burpo sliding across his line to slap out the bouncing shot.

In the 50th minute, Taylor Graham made a darting run into the six-yard box to receive a cross from Somoza. Graham slammed a shot into the hand of Saunders.

On the counter attack, Byron Alvarez broke away from the Sounders defense and passed the ball off the left midfielder Brian Winters, who dribbled the ball to the end line before crossing it back to Alvarez, who shot the ball first time into the hands of Burpo.

In the 55th minute, left midfielder Somoza dribbled the ball through three Timbers defenders and ripped a shot from just outside the top of the 18-yard box and hit the left post - sending the ball across the face of the open goal and out of bounds.

The Sounders were unlucky again when defender Zach Scott was called for a foul inside the penalty box. The Timbers capitalized on the penalty kick and extended their lead 2-0. Dan Antoniuck was credited with the goal.

The Sounders had another opportunity to score in 66th minute when midfielder Andrew Gregor stood over a free kick 30 yards out from the Portland goal. Gregor’s shot hit the right post and rolled over the end line for a Timbers goal kick.

The Seattle Sounders continue their road games as they travel to Rochester Friday to take on the Rhinos at 7 p.m. (ET) and then travel to Toronto to face the Lynx (7 p.m. ET) for the first time this season. Follow the Sounders matches live on KKNW - 1150 AM. Click the listen live link on the Sounders home page for the broadcast. For more information, visit www.seattlesounders.net or call 206.622.3415.

Cautions:

POR: Edwin Miranda 49’

POR: Byron Alvarez 52'

POR: Tom Poltl 37'

SEA: Ryan Edwards 65’

SEA: Andrew Gregor 76’

SEA: Zach Scott 90'

Ejections:

POR: Byron Alvarez (2 yellow) 77’

Line Ups:

SEA: Burpo, Sleeth (Melo 62’), Edwards, Scott, Graham (Wiesner 90’), Somoza (Sagare 57’), Whitfield (Chacon 74’), Klaas, Gregor, Levesque, Sakuda

POR: Josh Saunders, Scot Thompson, Tom Poltl, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Edwin Miranda, Brian Winters, Dan Antoniuk, Byron Alvarez, Aaron Lines, Lee Morrison, Garrett Marcum 

Sounders Earn Another USL Point on the Road in 1-1 Draw with Rhinos
Posted 7/16/2005
ROCHESTER, NY - Ben Somoza scored his first goal of the season and the Seattle Sounders played to a 1-1, draw against the Rochester Raging Rhinos Friday before 10,906 at Frontier Field. The tie, good for one point, pushes the Sounders into a fourth place tie with Vancouver in the United Soccer League First Division.

It was a typical start to a Sounders road game with the home team coming out on the attack. Three times in the first 15-minutes Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo was called upon to make diving saves of Rochester scoring opportunities, denying Kirk Wilson and Mauro Carbajal the back of the net. Burpo ended the first half with five saves in all.

His counterpart at the other end, Scott Vallow was equal to the task. He was credited with just one save in the games first 45 minutes but it was a big one as he blocked, C.J. Klaas' left-footer from three yards up after Klaas got behind the Rhino defense and took a perfect cross from Welton Melo.

The Sounders broke through first thanks to Somoza's perseverance and a little luck. After Roger Levesque pushed the ball through to Welton the Rochester defense converged and deflected the ball wide toward the right of the 18-yard box. Somoza corralled the loose ball and dragged it toward the end line, looking for an opportunity to cross. Two yards up he sent the ball toward the Rhino goal where it was misplayed by a Rochester defender then bounced past Vallow, just across the goal line giving Seattle a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute.

In the second half Rochester forged the tie. Rhino substituted in Rey Martinez in the 59th minute and he quickly made an impact. Taking a ball down the right touchline he sent a cross into the six-yard box at the right post. As the ball dipped toward Burpo, Sounder defender Taylor Graham tried to clear the ball out before Carbajal could get a right foot on it but instead misplayed it under Burpo's left arm and into his own goal.

Seattle's best scoring chance of the second half came as Welton got behind Rhino defender Scott Schweitzer who fanned on an attempted header at midfield. Welton crossed to an on rushing Andrew Gregor, but Gregor was well marked by two Rochester defenders and his strike from 18 yards found the arms of a diving Vallow.

Seattle finishes the two-game road trip with a stop on Toronto Saturday to face the Toronto Lynx.

Kick off is set for 4:30pm (PT). Listen live on KKNW 1150-AM, with the pre-game show beginning at 4:05pm (PT). For more information visit www.seattlesounders.net or call 206.622.3415.

Fans- don’t forget to register for the trip to London, England the Sounder and Go-Today.com are giving away at half time of the Sunderland match coming up this Wednesday, July 20th at 7pm. Click on the “Enter to Win” link on the Sounders home page to register, www.seattlesounders.net.

SHOTS:

Sea 8, ROC 22

Starters:

Seattle-Burpo, Sleeth, Graham, Scott, Sturm, Klaas, Sakuda, Gregor, Somoza (Sagare 62’), Levesque and Melo (Whitfield 81’)

Rochester- Scott Vallow, Frankie Sanfillipo, Scott Schweitzer, Jason Perry, Scott Palguta, Rene Rivas, Stoan Mladenov (Aguilera 81’), John Ball, Kirk Wilson (Mitchell 90’), Mauro Carbajal and Greg Howes (Martinez 59’)

Saves:

Burpo 10, Vallow 4

Fouls:

SEA 18, ROC 9

OFFSIDES: 5 each

CORNERS:

SEA 4 ROC 7

Cautions:

SEA: Sleeth 45'

ROC: Wilson 26'

ATT:

10,906

Seattle Falls 2-1 to Toronto in USL Play Saturday Night
Posted 7/17/2005
TORONTO, Ont. - The Seattle Sounders run of bad luck north of the border continued as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the last place Toronto Lynx Saturday before 1,811 at Centennial Park. The Sounders are 0-3-1 in their last four matches in Canada dating back to last season's championship game.

Once again a slow start nearly doomed the Sounders in the games opening minutes. Only the right post denied the Lynx Sean Fraser from scoring in the 11th minute. But ten minutes later there was no post to deny Charles Gbeke from eight yards out after he took a cross from Jamie Dodds and sent the ball under the right arm of a diving Preston Burpo.

Toronto kept their foot on the accelerator and continued to attack the Seattle goal throughout the remainder of the first half. Twice Burpo was forced to parry shots over the crossbar including a Nigel Henry header off a corner kick in the 45th minute.

Even a chance to regroup at halftime couldn't turn the tide for the Sounders. Toronto continued its relentless attack forcing Burpo into four more sprawling saves including stopping Henry again on a penalty kick in the 69th minute after a questionable foul was called on Seattle inside the 18-yard box. Meanwhile the Sounders offense sputtered as they continuously failed to penetrate through a stifling Lynx defense.

Toronto finally iced their first home win in the 88th minute as Wyn Belotte took a throw in off the left touch line, muscled his way across the top of the penalty box and beat Burpo with a left footed strike to the right post from 17 yards.

Seattle avoided the shutout when Welton tallied his fourth goal of the season in stoppage time by powering a strike past Theo Zagar from 16 yards after a strong run down the left side.

The Sounders after playing five of six July games on the road return to Qwest Field for their next three matches including Wednesday's friendly against Sunderland AFC of the English Premier League. Seattle returns to league play next Saturday when they host the Minnesota Thunder at 7pm, Qwest Field. Visit www.seattlesounders.net or call 206.622.3415 for more information.

Shots:

Sea 9, Tor 18

Saves:

Burpo 8, Zagar 3

Fouls:

Sea 12, Tor 16

Offsides:

Sea 2, Tor 5

Corners:

Sea 1, Tor 5

Cautions:

Sea: Gregor 69', Levesque 85'

Tor: Matondo 23'. Bellote 81'

Starters:

Seattle-Burpo, Sleeth (Sagare 47’), Graham, Scott, Edwards, Klaas, Sakuda, Gregor (Sturm 78’), Somoza (Whitfield 45’), Levesque and Melo

Toronto-Theodosis Zagar, Rick Titus, Nigel Henry, Andres Arango, Jamie Dodds, David Diplacido, Robbie Aristedemo, Rumba Munthali, Sita-Taty Matondo (Ali 53’), Sean Fraser (Mattachione 82’), Charles Gbeke ( Belotte 72’)

SUNDERLAND SINKS SEATTLE 1-0 IN EXHIBITION MATCH
Posted 7/21/2005
SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders fell to Sunderland A.F.C of the English Premier League 1-0 in an exhibition match Wednesday night in front of 8,502 fans at Qwest Field. Liam Lawrence’s goal in the 81st minute proved the difference in a closely contested match.

The match was played with unlimited substitutions, and both sides emptied their benches before it was all over, as Sunderland goalkeeper Ben Alnwick was the only player between the teams not to see any action.

If there was any inkling that this game would be taken lightly by either side, it was quickly put to rest after the opening whistle blew. The first half got off to a brisk start as Seattle took the game to Sunderland right from the outset. By just the fifth minute, Seattle had hit the woodwork when Kevin Sakuda ran into the space in front of him before ripping a powerful, rising shot at the edge of the penalty area that ricocheted off of the outside of the top of the right post.

Four minutes later, C.J. Klaas found Andrew Gregor alone on the left side with a lovely cross-field pass. Gregor settled calmly before letting go a dangerous, dipping drive from 25 yards out that Sunderland goalkeeper Kelvin Davis punched away with a leaping, one-headed save.

Then in the 12th, Leighton O’Brien had a glorious chance to put the first bulge in the back of the net after some nice work inside the penalty area by forwards Welton Melo and Roger Levesque. O’Brien snuck in and ended up completely unmarked with the ball at his feet just behind the penalty spot, but his weak, side-footed shot was right at Davis and easily scooped up.

Seattle kept up their industrious play in Sunderland’s half of the field for the next 10 minutes as the visitors were too busy defending to put together any meaningful offense.

In the 15th, both Billy Sleeth and O’Brien had half-chances at goal. Two-minutes later, Gregor’s free kick on the right side from 25 yards out deflected off the Sunderland wall and almost snuck into the near top corner, but Davis was there to keep it out.

The game settled down slightly by the half-hour mark as Seattle’s attack began to tire after dominating the majority of the proceedings. Sunderland began to have more of the play, and in the 32nd, had their best chance on goal when a nice cross from the right side by Dean Whitehead was headed high and wide by Steven Elliott.

The Sounders had one final chance to score just before the end of the half when Gregor’s free kick on the right side of the penalty area was headed just wide by Graham.

Both teams came out of the locker room with three substitutions, but Sunderland’s consisted of some its regular starters, which would ultimately tip the scales in the visitors’ favor.

Just as the Sounders controlled the first half, so did Sunderland control the second. By the 57th minute, Sunderland’s class began to show as a Neill Collins’ header off a corner kick had to be cleared off the line by Sleeth, who headed it out at the near post.

With the exception of a few dangerous runs by substitute Brent Whitfield, Seattle struggled to gain possession, let alone muster any meaningful attacks. As Sunderland had more and more of the ball, they began to find the seams in the Sounders’ defense.

In the 72nd minute, substitute goalkeeper James Ward came off his line to grab a corner kick by Jon Stead, but the ball slipped through his hands and fell for Nyron Nosworthy, who immediately sent a looping header over Ward, which Seattle defender Scott Jenkins kept out of the goal with a desperation header of his own, which went off his own crossbar and out. Collins followed up on the rebound, but his one-timed shot was deflected out by the Seattle defense.

Despite overwhelming pressure by Sunderland, the Sounders had a great chance to open the scoring go begging in the 76th minute. Ben Somoza sent in a fantastic ball from the right top corner of the penalty area for Brett Wiesner, who came sliding in at the far post but was tightly marked and could not connect. Whitfield was behind him waiting, but his quick, right-footed shot flew across the open goal and fell agonizingly wide.

Sunderland made Seattle pay dearly for the miss just five minutes later, when a fine cross by Whitehead found Lawrence all alone on the left side 20 yards from goal. With the Seattle defense scrambling to recover, Lawrence uncorked a left-footed screamer from just inside the area that hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced straight down and just over the line. Initially, it did not appear that the ball had crossed the line, but the referee did not hesitate and ruled a goal. Although the large crowd subsequently roared its disapproval, the video replay did in fact show that the goal was legitimate.

The disputed goal threw the Sounders attack into desperation, though nearly every man on the field at that point was a substitute. In the 87th, Somoza’s throw-in into the penalty area was cleared out by the Sunderland defense, but Jake Segare was there to crack a thunderous volley back in, which appeared to deflect off of the arm of a Sunderland defender, but the referee allowed play to continue.

With full-time looming, Klaas took one final chance on goal, and it was a good one as he took his defender right before cutting back and unleashing a powerful, left-footed drive from 30 yards out that sent Davis flying but screamed just wide of the top corner.

In stoppage time, Sunderland had the final run at goal when Andy Welsh took off on a 60-yard run down the left side with Klaas nipping at his heels. Just before reaching the end line, Welsh got off a hard, low cross that blazed across goal untouched.

The Sounders’ next game is Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m. as Seattle hosts the Minnesota Thunder. The Seattle Sounders Women kick off the evening with their last game of the season against the San Diego Gauchos at 4 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Sunderland AFC

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

July 20, 2005

Weather: Sunny, 80s.

Attendance: 8,502

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 0 0

Sunderland AFC 0 1 1

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo (James Ward – 46), Billy Sleeth (Jake Besagno – 60), Taylor Graham (Gabe Sturm – 76), Ryan Edwards(Josh Hansen – 76), Zach Scott (Scott Jenkins – 46), Kevin Sakuda (Ben Somoza – 46), Leighton O’Brien (Chad Brown – 65), Andrew Gregor (Jake Sagare – 65), C.J. Klaas, Roger Levesque (Brett Wiesner – 57), Welton Melo (Whitfield – 46).

Unused substitutes: None.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

SUN: Kelvin Davis, Stephen Wright (Christensen – 61), Dan Smith (Martin Woods – 46), Carl Robinson, Neill Collins, Steve Caldwell (Nyron Nosworthy – 46), Daryl Murphy (Andy Welsh – 61), Dean Whitehead, Chris Brown (Jon Stead – 46), Steven Elliott (Liam Lawrence – 61), Julio Arca.

Unused substitutes: Ben Alnwick.

Head coach: Mick McCarthy.

GOAL SUMMARY

SUN: Lawrence, 81.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA: O’Brien, 6 (caution).

SUN: Wright, 53 (caution).

Brent Whitfield Scores Winning Goal in 1-0 Victory Over Minnesota
Posted 7/24/2005
SEATTLE – In a battle for possession at home, the Seattle Sounders pulled through in the final minutes of the game to finalize the score at 1-0 Saturday night at Qwest Field. Rookie midfielder Brent Whitfield’s winning goal in the 83rd minute pushes Seattle (30 points) into sole possession of fourth place past Vancouver (27 points) in USL standings.

The Sounders have remained undefeated versus the Thunder this season after previously playing each other twice already. Both games occurred at James Griffin Stadium in Minnesota resulting in a 3-1 Sounder win on July 2nd and a 2-2 draw on July 10th.

Right from the beginning, Minnesota controlled the ball creating a couple scoring opportunities in an attempt to throw the Sounders off balance. However, the Sounders managed to protect the back of their net.

On an attacking play in the eighth minute, Sleeth passed the ball back to CJ Klaas outside the eighteen-yard box. Klaas crossed the ball to the front of the goal where a Thunder defender headed the ball out for a Sounder corner kick. The corner resulted in an attempted shot by Klaas and no goal.

In the 35th minute, Thunder forward Aaron Paye dribbled around four Sounder defenders before deflecting the ball out of bounds for a Minnesota corner kick. The corner resulted in Sounder possession.

The first half ended in a scoreless draw with both teams battling for possession. Leading by seven fouls and three shots at halftime, the Sounders displayed their aggression and determination to score on the Thunder.

After the start of the second half, Sounder possession improved unlike the start of the first half with multiple scoring opportunities to test the Thunder defense.

Making continuous connections around Minnesota’s box, Gregor struck a hard shot from the six-yard line on ball from Levesque in the 49th minute. Ricocheting off a defender, the Sounders managed to hold the ball and possessed it around the box. Gregor took another low drive 20 yards out rolling directly to Minnesota goalkeeper Joseph Warren.

Fourteen minutes later, Minnesota challenged the Sounders defense when Aaron Paye carried the ball toward the Sounders goal and passed a through ball to teammate Matt Schmidt in the box. Schmidt drove a low ball towards far post before Burpo barely made a sliding save with the edge of his foot.

In the last 20 minutes of play, the tide turned as Minnesota took possession of the game, but their efforts were not enough to stop Whitfield from scoring the winning goal in the 83rd minute.

From the right side of the midfield, Leighton O’Brien (on loan for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer) crossed a lofted ball to top of the Thunder box where Whitfield controlled the ball between two Thunder defenders. Facing the sideline, he turned the ball and ripped a low shot passed Warren to the left side of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

The Sounders next home game is Wednesday July 27th versus the Toronto Lynx at 7:00 pm at Qwest Field. Fans can get two tickets for the price of one by presenting a Sunderland ticket stub at the Qwest Field ticket office. For more information, visit www.seattlesounders.net or call 206-622-3415.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Minnesota Thunder

July 23, 2005

Weather: 75, sunny

Attendance: 2,259

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Minnesota Thunder0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Kevin Sakuda, Leighton O’Brien, Andrew Gregor (Gabe Sturm, minute 88), C.J. Klaas (Brent Whitfield, minute 59), Roger Levesque, Welton Melo (Ben Somoza, minute 75).

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

MN: Joe Warren, Nathan Knox, Chad Dombrowski, Chris Brunt, Freddy Juarez, KK Lara (Kevin Friedland, minute 88), Jay Alberts (Melvin Tarley, minute 87), Matt Schmidt, Godfrey Tenoff (Tighe Dombrowski, minute 87), Aaron Paye, Johnny Menyongar.

Head Coach: Buzz Lagos

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA: Brent Whitfield 83’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

MN: Juarez 63’

SOUNDERS CRUISE TO 3-0 WIN OVER TORONTO LYNX
Posted 7/28/2005
SEATTLE – Veteran midfielder Andrew Gregor scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the Seattle Sounders to a convincing 3-0 victory over the Toronto Lynx Wednesday night at Qwest Field. Goalkeeper Preston Burpo had little to do until very late in the game in recording his league-leading ninth shutout of the season.

Seattle took charge of the match right from the opening whistle and was rewarded with two goals in the first 20 minutes. Despite playing only in the first 45 minutes, Gregor provided the Sounders with all the offense they would need – scoring the first goal and assisting on the second before adding another goal from the penalty spot just after the half hour mark.

The first goal came after forward Welton Melo was pulled down just outside the right corner of the penalty area after playing a nice give and go with strike partner Roger Levesque. Gregor drilled the resulting free kick with his left foot just under the crossbar and past Toronto goalkeeper Theo Zagar, who was late in getting over to cover his line.

Gregor turned provider in the 17th minute when C.J. Klaas found him alone on the left side of the penalty area. Gregor one-timed a left-footed cross to Levesque, who rose at the penalty spot to power a header down into the low, far corner for a 2-0 Seattle lead.

The Sounders had numerous scoring chances in the next five minutes, including a break on goal by Welton in which Zagar made a superb point-blank save.

Klaas then produced an excellent individual effort in the 32nd that resulted in the referee awarding a penalty kick to the Sounders. The rookie brought down the ball in midfield and blew past his man with a tremendous speed move. Klaas loaded up a shot as he entered he penalty area but was brought down from behind before he could get the shot off. Gregor buried the subsequent spot kick with his left for his second goal of the game and a commanding three-goal Sounders lead.

Though head coach Brian Schmetzer took Klaas, Levesque and Gregor off before the beginning of the second half, Seattle remained determined in their attack and gave Toronto nothing in their own end. In fact, the Sounders almost increased their lead just three minutes in when Taylor Graham headed a Leighton O’Brien corner kick onto the crossbar.

Substitutes Brent Whitfield, Gabe Sturm, Brett Wiesner, Ben Somoza and Jake Sagare worked well with Welton to keep the Seattle attack clicking. Whitfield was foiled twice by Zagar with point-blank saves – once in the 60th and another in the 70th. In the 68th, Zagar tipped a 25-yard blast from Somoza over the bar, and Graham just missed with his head on the resulting corner kick.

After running over, around and through the Toronto defense for most of the match, the Seattle defense began to tire by the 80th minute and nearly gave up a goal when Toronto midfielder Jamie Dodds’ one-timed shot beat Burpo only to crash off of the crossbar in the 82nd minute.

That would be the best chance the Lynx had to score, however, as the Sounders controlled the final minutes of the match to preserve the shutout and move into a three-way tie with the Rochester Raging Rhino and Richmond Kickers for second place in the United Soccer Leagues First Division.

The Sounders’ next game is Saturday, July 29, at 7 p.m. as Seattle travels to Burnaby, B.C. to play the Vancouver Whitecaps at Swangard Stadium. Seattle returns home to Qwest Field as they host the Minnesota Thunder on Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Toronto Lynx

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

July 27, 2005

Weather: Sunny, 80s.

Attendance: 2,187

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 3 0 3

Toronto Lynx 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott (Gabe Sturm – 26), C.J. Klaas (Jake Sagare – 46), Kevin Sakuda, Leighton O’Brien (Brett Wiesner – 67), Andrew Gregor (Ben Somoza – 46), Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Scott Jenkins.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

TOR: Theo Zagar, Robin Hart, Abraham Francois, Andres Arango (Joe Mattachione – 18), Rumba Munthali, Chris Williams, Robbie Aristedemo, David DiPlacido, Taty-Sita Matondo (Jamie Dodds – 46), Sean Fraser (Said Ali – 46), Charles Gbeke (Dave Simpson – 46).

Unused substitutes: Richard Goddard, Lyndon Hooper.

Head coach: Hubert Busby Junior.

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA: Gregor, 10.

SEA: Levesque (Gregor), 17.

SEA: Gregor, 33.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

TOR: Hart, 10.

TOR: Zagar, 33.

TOR: DiPlacido, 35.

SEA: O’Brien, 52.

TOR: Dodds, 54.

Sounders and Whitecaps Battle to Fourth Draw of 2005
Posted 7/30/2005
BURNABY, B.C.- In an open clash between the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps tonight at Swangard Stadium, the match came down to the team who could keep possession of the ball. The battle between the teams resulted in another tie. The 0-0 draw was the fourth tie between the teams in 2005.

In the first five minutes of the match the game looked to be controlled by Vancouver. They had two offensive opportunities from a corner kick and a threatening run into the box where goalkeeper Preston Burpo had to come diving off his line.

However, the Sounders found their grove in the eighth minute when they began intercepting Vancouver’s passes and taking control of the game. From 20 yards out, in the center of the field forward Roger Levesque played a through ball to on running defender Gabe Sturm. Sturm fired a shot from outside the left corner of the 18-yard box, but missed just over the cross bar.

Again on the attack in 12th minute Burpo’s goal kick went bouncing over the Whitecaps defense and to the head of Levesque. Levesque was challenged by Vancouver’s goalkeeper Josh Wicks and lost the battle for the ball in the air to the out stretched arms of Wicks.

In the 14th minute Vancouver took control on the attack as Steve Kindel crossed a ball from the left flank to Steve Lyall, who was able to get a head on the accurately place cross in the center of the penalty area. The header was just over the cross bar.

Vancouver was on the attack again in the 27th minute when Kindel received a back heel pass from forward Jason Jordan. Kindel cut the ball back into the center of the six yard box from the left end line next to the post but the shot was deflected by Burpo to Billy Sleeth who cleared the ball out of trouble.

In the 38th minute Joe Gjertsen chased down a pass from Jeff Clarke ripping a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box send Burpo diving to the ground. The shot was just wide of the far post.

The Sounders defense was on fire tonight, denying Vancouver an opportunity to capitalize on their consistent offensive pressure in the remaining minutes of the first half.

In the beginning minutes of the second half neither team had complete possession of the ball. Both the Sounders and Whitecaps were equally matched on offensive threats and spectacular defensive play.

In the 58th minute the Whitecaps push on the Sounders defense when Lyall cross a ball from the right sideline to the diving head of Jordan. The header was just wide of the far goal post.

The Sounders answered back in the 61st minute when Welton rocketed a shot from the penalty mark in to the chest of Wicks, the ball was rebounded by Levesque who’s first touch was deflected to the left flank and out of play.

In the 75th minute the Whitecaps were on the move as Dave Morris - a second half sub for Martin Nash, penetrated the Sounders defense with a through ball from the right end line to the penalty spot and to the feet of forward Jason Jordan. Jordan was pressured by three Sounders defenders but was still able to turn and strike a shot just wide of the left goalpost.

Midfielder Jake Sagare was on the attack for the Sounders in the 85th minute when he intercepted a Vancouver pass 30 yards out from the goal. In an attempt to pass the ball off to on running Brent Whitfield he was tripped from behind with no foul called.

The games between the rivals have been extremely tight over the last two years as the last victory by more than a one-goal margin came in July of 2003, a

2- 0 Vancouver win at home. This is also the first time either team has been shut out since the last time the teams played in Vancouver on June 26th.

The Seattle Sounders next game is Saturday, August 6th at 7pm. Join the Sounders as they take on the Minnesota Thunder at Qwest Field. For more information call 206.622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

Lineups:

SEA: Burpo, Sleeth, Graham, Edwards, Sturm (Jenkins 45'), Sakuda, Klaas (Somoza 65') , Gregor, O’Brien, Levesque (Sagare 70'), Melo (Whitfield 61')

VAN: Josh Wicks, Jeff Clarke, Steve Klein, Mack Watson, Martin Nash (Dave Morris 71'), Steve Kindel, Geordie Lyall, Liam DeSilva, Kevin Harmse (Nick Dasovic 65'), Joe Gjertsen, Jason Jordan (Ian Fuller 76')

Game Notes:

Burnaby BC

Swangard Stadium

Weather: 70, sunny

Attendance: 5434

Goal Summary:

SEA:0 0 0

VAN:0 0 0

Misconduct:

SEA: O’Brien 16'

VAN: Watson 20'

Game Stats:

Shots:

SEA: 6

VAN: 9

Fouls:

SEA: 8

VAN: 12

Corners:

SEA: 1

VAN: 5

Saves:

SEA: 3

VAN:2

Offsides:

SEA:2

VAN:2

SOUNDERS AND THUNDER BATTLE TO SCORELESS DRAW
Posted 8/7/2005
SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders were unable to find the back of the net and were forced to settle for a 0-0 tie against the Minnesota Thunder Saturday night at Qwest Field. Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo came up big on several occasions to keep the clean sheet and earned his league-best 11th shutout of the season.

The first 45 minutes made for a mostly uneventful affair – highlighted by only a handful of half chances by both teams. Burpo was called upon to make some alert plays to deny Minnesota strikers Aaron Paye and Melvin Tarley but was never really put to the test.

Fresh off a big U.S. Open Cup victory over Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids and a 3-3 draw away to the Portland Timbers, the Thunder came out strong against the Sounders.

After Tarley was unable to get on the other end of a through ball off a free kick in the 10th minute, midfielder Jay Alberts narrowly missed the top corner when he unleashed a powerful shot from the right edge of the penalty area a minute later.

Seattle hit back in the 13th when Billy Sleeth burst down the right side and hit a quick, right-footed drive that went just wide of the near post.

The Sounders’ best scoring chance came in the 28th minute when C.J. Klaas finished off a smart scamper through midfield with a beautiful through ball to Roger Levesque. Levesque made a nice move to get around Thunder defender Chris Brunt before winning a corner kick. Gregor’s corner went all the way through to Welton 15 yards from the far post, who blasted a low shot just wide off the bounce.

Paye had two good chances for Minnesota to end the half. In the 33rd, he got on the end of a fine cross from Godfrey Tenoff, but he knocked a weak header over Burpo’s goal from point-blank range. Then in the 40th, midfielder Matt Schmidt hit a superb long ball that found Paye streaking through the penalty area but was unable to get his foot on it, and Burpo came out to cover up.

Though the second half featured more wide-open play and more desperation by both teams, neither was able to convert the many opportunities into goals.

The Thunder’s Jeff Mateo cracked a first-time drive over from 20 yards in the 51st after the ball came out to him following a scramble in the box. Seattle’s Welton hit back a minute later with a low drive from the edge of the box that went straight at Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren.

Alberts finished off a dangerous run in the 57th with a venomous shot inside the penalty area that Burpo knocked away before covering up the rebound. A minute later, defender Ryan Edwards came to Burpo’s rescue when Tarley chipped the Seattle ‘keeper after a defensive mistake. The ball would have gone in had Edwards not hurried back to clear the ball off the line.

Taylor Graham nearly connected on a free kick from Gregor in the 60th minute but just missed getting his head on it just outside the six-yard box. A minute later, Burpo made a fine save on Brunt’s rasping drive from 18 yards out, but he left a rebound that was fortunately cleared out by the Seattle defense.

In the 62nd, Welton one-timed a shot from the top of the box off a feed by Sleeth but the shot flew just over the bar.

Minnesota substitute John Menyonger had a golden chance in the 75th minute when he ran onto a long ball from Kiki Lara, but he couldn’t connect in midair with Burpo well off his line.

In the 88th minute, the Thunder’s best chance of the game went begging when Nathan Knox hit the outside corner of the crossbar off a free kick.

In stoppage time, the Sounders scrambled for the game winner, but the best Edwards could do with a Leighton O’Brien corner kick was a toe poke that was scooped up easily by Warren – allowing the Thunder to escape Seattle with a point.

The draw keeps the Sounders tied with the Richmond Kickers for third place in the United Soccer Leagues First Division with 35 points.

The Sounders travel to Portland tomorrow, August 7, to take on the Timbers in a Cascadia Cup match at PGE Park at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, August 9, Seattle plays the Hybernian Saints in the third annual Kids Only Game at 11 a.m. at Qwest Field. A $5 ticket to the Kids Only Game is good for a free ticket to the Sounders next home game on Saturday, August 13 against the Richmond Kickers. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Minnesota Thunder

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

August 6, 2005

Weather: Sunny, 80s.

Attendance: 2,672

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 0 0

Minnesota Thunder 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott (Gabe Sturm – 56), Leighton O’Brien, C.J. Klaas (Brent Whitfield – 57), Andrew Gregor (Jake Sagare – 78), Kevin Sakuda (Chad Brown – 78), Roger Levesque, Welton Melo (Ben Somoza – 63).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Brett Wiesner.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

MIN: Joe Warren, Chad Dombrowski, Nathan Knox, Chris Brunt, Kevin Friedland, Jay Alberts (Kiki Lara – 63), Matt Schmidt (Tighe Dombrowski – 88), Godfrey Tenoff, Jeff Mateo, Melvin Tarley (John Menyongar – 65), Aaron Paye (Mike Wilson – 80).

Unused substitutes: Nick Platter.

Head coach: Buzz Lagos.

GOAL SUMMARY

None.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA: Sleeth (caution), 20.

MIN: Paye (caution), 31.

SEA: O’Brien (caution), 32.

MIN: Friedland (caution), 46.

MIN: Brunt (caution), 62.

SEA: Edwards (caution), 81.

SEA: Brown (caution), 89.

Seattle Falls to Portland 1-0 at PGE Park
Posted 8/8/2005
PORTLAND, Ore. – In the Seattle Sounders first trip to Portland for United Soccer Leagues play in 2005, Paul Conway hit for his first goal as a Timber in dramatic fashion, scoring the game-winner to propel the Portland Timbers to a 1-0 shutout victory over the rival Seattle Sounders Sunday evening at PGE Park.

Portland (6-7-6, 24pts) leads the series now over Seattle (9-4-8, 35pts) in league play, winning seven of the last nine matches dating back to 2003.

Conway, a second-half substitute, took advantage of the Seattle defense and finished off a Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar cross with a low drive in the box past Sounders 'keeper Preston Burpo in the 77th minute. The goal came as a result of Alcaraz-Cuellar's penetrating moves past a bevy of Seattle defenders in the box, landing the midfielder his league-leading seventh assist of the season.

In the first half, the Sounders (9-4-8, 35 pts) were inches from a goal until a spectacular bicycle-kick save off the goal line from Lee Morrison dashed the visitors' hopes. A shot from Roger Levesque on a bouncing ball in the box forced the acrobatic clear in the 18th minute.

Alcaraz-Cuellar proved pesky on the wing for the northern guests; he nearly struck twice in the 8th and 23rd minutes, but his first shot fell wide and his second was blocked by Burpo.

Things turned bloody in the 35th minute when a mid-air collision in the Seattle box between Scot Thompson and Billy Sleeth left both players down. Sleeth received a cut over his left eye, but both remained in the game.

In the second half, Portland dominated play and out-shot the side from the Evergreen State, 6-2, and 14-5 overall.

The Sounders next match is an exhibition game on Tuesday, August 9th. Seattle plays the Hibernian Saints in the third annual Kids Only Game at 11 a.m. at Qwest Field. A $5 ticket to the Kids Day match is good for a free ticket ($12 value) to the Sounders next home game on Saturday, August 13 against the Richmond Kickers. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Portland Timbers

PGE Park

Portland, ORE.

August 7, 2005

Weather: Sunny, 80s.

Attendance: 4224

SCORING SUMMARY:

Seattle Sounders 0 0 0

Portland Timbers 0 1 0

NOTES: Sounders goalkeeper Preston Burpo recorded four saves tonight. With the four saves, Burpo now has an all time regular season career record of 600 saves.

LINEUPS:

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Gabe Sturm (Welton Melo 82), Andrew Gregor, CJ Klaas (Brent Whitfield 65’), Leighton O’Brien, Kevin Sakuda, Roger Levesque, Jake Sagare (Ben Somoza 58’)

POR: Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Byron Alvarez (Paul Conway 66’), Dan Antoniuk, Kevin Goldthwaite, Garrett Marcum, Edwin Miranda, Lee Morrison, Tom Poltl, Josh Saunders, Scot Thompson, Brian Winters (Shawn Higgins 63’)

GOAL SUMMARY:

POR: Paul Conway 77’ (Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar)

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

SEA: Taylor Graham 43’

SEA: Roger Levesque 88’

SEA: Andrew Gregor 90’ 

The Sounders Erupt with Goals during Kids Day Exhibition Match
Posted 8/9/2005
SEATTLE- The Seattle Sounders played host to the Hibernian Saints, the United States Adult Soccer Association national champions, on Tuesday morning in a special exhibition match for kids at Qwest Field. Brett Wiesner scored three goals and had one assist as the Sounders defeated the Saints 10-0.

Wiesner started the Sounders 10 goal run in the 16th minute of the match when he slammed the ball into the back of the net off a Ben Somoza cross.

Rookie forward Josh Hansen continued the Sounders scoring in the 20th minute when Somoza crossed a ball from the right side of the field to Wiesner. Wiesner was able to control the ball with his chest and pass it off to Hansen who volleyed the ball past Saints ‘kepper Danny Waltman. Hansen scored his second goal of the match in the 32nd minute, unassisted.

Wiesner was on the attack again in the 23rd minute when he scored on a pass from the left side from guest player Ebu Cham (All- Nations Cup participant- member of Team Ghana).

Minutes later Wiesner found the back of the net again when he was on the end of a deflected shot by Cham. Cham fired a shot that was redirected to the feet of Wiesner who was able to finish on the play.

In the 29th minute Somoza struck a corner kick from the right side of the field. Scott Jenkins redirected the ball into the far netting of the Saints goal to give the Sounders a 5-0 lead. Somoza scored in the 49th minute on an assist from Chad Brown.

Chad Brown, CJ Klaas and Jacob Besagno (Brent Whitfield assist) all had second half goals for the Sounders.

SOUNDERS GIVE UP LATE GOAL TO DRAW RICHMOND 1-1
Posted 8/14/2005
SEATTLE – Defender Pete Luzak scored a late goal in the 89th minute – allowing the Richmond Kickers to escape from Qwest Field with a 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders Saturday night. With the tie, the Sounders missed a chance to move into sole position of second place in the United Soccer Leagues First Division in a match they effectively dominated but were unable to put away.

After getting an important early goal from rookie Brent Whitfield, Seattle controlled most of the game and squandered several scoring opportunities in the second half before giving up a heartbreaker in the game’s final minutes.

With midfielder C.J. Klaas out of the lineup because of the flu, Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer was forced to shuffle his starting lineup, which resulted in Andrew Gregor playing up front with Roger Levesque and Kevin Sakuda partnering with Leighton O’Brien in midfield.

Schmetzer’s moves paid off. After some disappointing results in the last two games, the Sounders looked sharp from the opening whistle and got off to a dream start with a nicely worked goal in the sixth minute. O’Brien and Sakuda played a smart give-and-go that sent Sakuda deep down the left side of the penalty area. Sakuda drew Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale off his line before passing across goal to a wide-open Whitfield, who couldn’t miss as he tapped into the open goal from point-blank range.

Seattle kept up the pressure, and Taylor Graham missed a golden chance in the 12th minute when he put a wide-open header from Gregor’s corner kick over the crossbar.

After being outplayed in the first 15 minutes, the Kickers began to show some signs of life when Richmond danger man Kevin Jeffrey surprised Preston Burpo with a venomous, right-footed blast from just inside the penalty area that Burpo pushed onto the near post with a desperate, diving save.

Though the Sounders continued to have the run of play, Jeffrey threatened again in the 32nd minute when his half volley from the edge of the penalty area just missed the top corner of Burpo’s goal. Gregor then hit back a minute later with a well-struck half volley of his own from 25 yards out that almost caught Pascal off guard, but the Richmond keeper managed to recover and make the save.

After being Richmond’s most dangerous attacker in the first half, Jeffrey came out of the locker room for the second and had a glorious chance to score in the 51st minute, but he pushed his left-footed shot just wide of the far post after a nice turn inside the box.

After giving up that early chance, the Sounders took control of the next 25 minutes, during which they had numerous chances to grab an all-important second goal.

Jake Sagare’s stunning half volley from the top of the 18 flashed across goal but just missed the top corner in the 58th minute. Four minutes later, defender Ryan Edwards flicked an O’Brien corner kick on goal, which Pascale batted away.

Levesque then had a goal disallowed in the 64th and was shown a yellow card when the referee determined he had brought the ball down with his arm before knocking it past Pascale.

Seattle was then unfortunate not to find the back of the net during a crazy series of events in the 68th minute. Gregor charged in and beat Pascale to a lazy back pass, but had the ball tackled away from him before he could shoot into the open net. Seattle took possession following the clearance, and O’Brien found himself with the ball 25 yards out. The veteran midfielder took his man inside before ripping a shot from the top of the penalty area that beat Pascale but crashed off the bottom of the right post. Gregor’s follow-up on the rebound was straight at Pascale, who made the save and covered up.

The Sounders had all of the run of play by the 75th minute, and it appeared they would hold out for the win, but a persistent Richmond team fought back to steal a point with a heartbreaking goal just a minute before full time.

Luzak got behind the Seattle defense and on the end of a perfectly weighted free kick from midfielder Mike Burke, who bent the ball in from 25 yards out. Totally unmarked, Luzak had an easy time of heading the ball past a completely stranded Burpo from point-blank range to equalize the match.

The result leaves Richmond and Seattle tied for third place with 36 points and one point ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have 35.

The Sounders travel to Portland on Saturday, August 20, to play the Timbers at PGE Park at 7 p.m. before returning home to Qwest Field to host the Puerto Rico Islanders on Friday, August 26 at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Richmond Kickers

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

August 13, 2005

Weather: Sunny, 80s.

Attendance: 2,446

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 1 0 1

Richmond Kickers 0 1 1

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott (Brett Wiesner – 84), Kevin Sakuda, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 69), Leighton O’Brien, Jake Sagare (Gabe Sturm – 77), Andrew Gregor, Roger Levesque (Chad Brown – 85).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Scott Jenkins, Welton Melo.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

RIC: Ronnie Pascale, Tony Williams, Paul Williams, Pete Luzak, Kevin Knight, Tim Brown, Richie Williams (Mike Burke – 58), Matt Delicate (Robert Ssejjemba – 58), Sasha Gorres, Kevin Jeffrey, Chris Carrieri (Matt Bobo – 88).

Unused substitutes: Nick Platter, Steve Ankiel, Jeff Hare, Matt O’Toole.

Head coach: Jesse Myers.

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA: Whitfield (Sakuda), 6.

RIC: Luzak (Burke), 89.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA: Scott (caution), 37.

SEA: Levesque (caution), 64.

SEA: Sleeth (caution), 88.

Another Late Goal Haunts Seattle: Sounders and Timber Draw 1-1
Posted 8/20/2005
Portland, Ore. - An early goal by Scott Jenkins was not enough to keep the Timbers out of the match as the late tying goal from substitute Shaun Higgins ended the Sounders hopes for a win. The 1-1 tie in the final regular season meeting between Sounders (9-4-10, 37pts) and the Timbers (7-7-8, 29pts) was in front of a Rose City crowd of 8,292.

The Sounders started early on the attack in the third minute as Brent Whitfield used his speed to get around the Portland defense and crossed the ball into Roger Levesque who dove for a header that landed straight in the hands of Portland’s goalkeeper Josh Saunders.

In the sixth minute the Timbers were on attack as Paul Conway threw in a ball to the head of Kevin Goldwaite who flicked the ball to the right side of the goal to the hands of an outstretched Preston Burpo.

The Sounders went on a 14 minute attacking spree where they were unable to capitalize on two runs down the right side and crosses by Whitfield and two attempts by Leighton O”Brien to create offensive pressure.

In the 22nd minute the Sounders found their window of opportunity. After pushing hard on the attack for 14 minutes the Sounders were finally able to finish.

On a set play taken by O’Brien from the right side of the field just outside the 18 yard box - O’Brien was able to curl the ball over the top of the Portland defense and to the far post where the ball found the head of a diving Scott Jenkins, who threw his body over the end line as he put the ball past ‘Keeper Saunders. The Sounders took a 1-0 lead on Jenkins first goal of the season.

The remainder of the first half the Sounder kept the pressure on as they had several chances to put the ball away. Jake Sagare recorded three shot in the half, all three were near misses.

The second half saw many offensive chances for the Sounders. In the 52nd minute of play the Kevin Sakuda found Brent Whitfield in the center of the six yard box, similar to the Sakuda- Whitfield goal in last weekends match. Whitfield was able to put the ball away, however the goal was called back on a controversial offsides call by the linesman. The goal would have given the Sounders a 2-0 lead.

The persistence of the Sounders did not let up after the goal was waived off. Whitfield led the attack and was able to get behind the Portland defense on several occasions and unfortunately couldn’t put the ball away.

The Timbers were shut down by a strong Sounder defensive line and a solid Burpo. The Portland offense did not shine until the 70th minute were the ball ricocheted around the Sounders 6 yard box, but no one could capitalize.

Again in the 74th minute the Portland had a few chances where they were close to posing a threat to the Sounders. A cross in front of the Sounder wide open net by Tom Poltl could not find any one and rolled out of play.

Jenkins was defending against Poltl down the right side of the field, Jenkins lost his footing and Poltl was able to get around Jenkins and crossed the ball in front of an open Sounders goal allowing Shaun Higgins to have an easy shot past Burpo in the 86th minute of play. The goal by Higgins tied the match 1-1.

The Seattle Sounders next match is Friday, August 26th at Qwest Field. Kick off is set of 7pm. For more information call 206.622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

Game Notes:

Tonight both the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers are without key players due to yellow card point accumulations. Ryan Edwards and Billy Sleeth will sit tonight’s match for Seattle and Byron Alvarez for Portland as they are serving a one-game suspension for drawing too many cautions. The Timbers are also without Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar (personal reasons) and Scot Thompson (training in England with Sunderland AFC).

Jenkins goal was the first goal the Sounders have scored in Portland this season.

Lineups:

SEA: Burpo, Klaas, Graham, Scott, Jenkins, Whitfield, Sakuda, O’Brien (Somoza 46'), Sagare (Sturm 72'), Levesque, Gregor

POR: Saunders, Markham, Wilkinson (Higgins 20'), Morrison, Goldwaite, Winters, Miranda, Poltl, Lines, Antoniuk, Conway

Scoring Summary:

SEA: Jenkins 22' (O’Brein)

POR: Higgins 84' (Poltl)

Misconducts:

POR: Morrison 22'

SEA: Gregor 24'

POR: Higgins 67'

SEA: Levesque 80'

SOUNDERS LET ANOTHER WIN SLIP AWAY WITH 2-2 DRAW
Posted 8/26/2005
SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders tied the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-2 Friday night in front of 3,527 fans at Qwest Field. Rookie Brent Whitfield continued his impressive play with a goal and assist in the first half, but it wasn’t enough to top Islanders forward Mauricio Salles’ two goals – one being a tremendous long-range effort in the 74th minute that equalized the match.

The Sounders had full control of the first half but fatigue came back to bite them in the second as they allowed the Islanders back into the proceedings. The draw leaves Seattle with just five points from their last six games and forces them to make up some points during an upcoming road trip in which they will play three games in six days.

Though Puerto Rico came out flying in the first five minutes, Seattle withstood the early pressure and quickly gained control. The Sounders continued their recent habit of grabbing the early goal when midfielder Kevin Sakuda opening the scoring in the 11th minute with his first goal of the season.

The goal came when Whitfield played Sakuda in alone with a precise through pass. Sakuda ran in on Islanders goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and made no mistake in slotting his low shot into the near corner for a 1-0 Seattle lead.

Two minutes later, forward Roger Levesque nearly extended the Seattle lead when his awkward turn on goal at the top of the penalty area produced a weak shot that nonetheless forced Kennedy to make a sprawling save at the near post to keep the ball out.

Just one minute after that near miss, a Ryan Edwards header from a Leighton O’Brien corner kick was cleared off the line by the arm of Islanders midfielder Noah Delgado. The referee allowed play to continue, however, and what should have been a Sounders penalty kick and automatic red card went unpunished.

Whitfield was Seattle’s most dangerous attacker in the first half, and in the 26th minute he almost produced another goal when he chased a long ball down the right side before dropping it off for a streaking C.J. Klaas. Klaas ran onto the ball unopposed, carried into the penalty area and ripped a low drive to the far post that Kennedy knocked away with a good diving save.

Puerto Rico finally fought back in the 32nd when midfielder Petter Villegas played Sebastian Rozental in on goal. Rozental’s low drive was knocked away by Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo with a superb save, but the rebound came out to Delgado, whose shot at the open net was cleared off the line by Edwards.

The Islanders were then given a gift by the referee, who awarded a penalty kick just two minutes later when Levesque and Salles got tangled up inside the penalty area during a Puerto Rico corner kick. Salles buried the resulting spot kick to level the match at 1-1.

The Sounders responded immediately through Whitfield, who vaulted Seattle back into the lead in the 36th minute with a superbly taken goal. Levesque headed a 50-50 ball over to Whitfield on the left side of the top of the penalty area. The rookie took the ball on the bounce and caught Kennedy completely off-guard when he side-footed a half-volley over the ‘keeper and just under the crossbar at the far post.

Leading 2-1, Seattle had all of the momentum coming out of the locker room for the second half, but Puerto Rico had something else in mind entirely as they slowly began to impose themselves on the game.

In the 64th and 67th minutes, Burpo came up with huge saves on Delgado and Salles to keep the Sounders in the lead. Levesque had a chance at the other end a minute later, but his one-timed effort from close range was right at Kennedy.

Seattle was clearly beginning to tire by the 70th minute, and the Islanders took full advantage with a magnificent equalizer by Salles four minutes later.

Salles took control of the ball at midfield and was left unchallenged. He took the empty space in front of him before unleashing a stunning left-footed drive from about 35 yards out that screamed past a diving Burpo and into the top, right corner of the goal.

Jake Sagare and Chad Brown were inserted into the game in the 78th minute, and their fresh legs paid immediate dividends as the Sounders began to crawl back into the match. In the 87th, Brown had a glorious chance to bag the winner for Seattle, but he poked his close-range effort off the underside of the crossbar and out following some messy play by the Islanders in the penalty area.

The Sounders had one final chance to take the three points in stoppage time when Kennedy found himself way out of position after coming off his line to make a clearance. Sakuda had the ball at his feet and a good look at the open goal from 30 yards out, but his shot lacked the power and distance required, and Kennedy scrambled back to his line to keep the ball out.

The Sounders kick off a grueling, three-game road trip on Friday, September 2 when take on the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. at 4:30 p.m. Following games at Atlanta on the 4th and Puerto Rico on the 6th, Seattle returns home to Qwest Field for the final regular season home game of the season on Friday, September 10, as they host the defending league champion Montreal Impact in a rematch of last season’s championship match. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Puerto Rico Islanders

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

August 26, 2005

Weather: Sunny, 80s.

Attendance: 3,527

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 2 0 2

Puerto Rico Islanders 1 1 2

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth (Jake Sagare – 78), Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Leighton O’Brien, C.J. Klaas (Chad Brown – 78), Gregor, Kevin Sakuda, Roger Levesque, Brent Whitfield (Welton Melo – 65).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Scott Jenkins, Ben Somoza, Gabe Sturm.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

PR: Dan Kennedy, Chris Gores, Marco Velez, Caleb Norkus, Rivera Alexis (Luis F. Zuleta – 78), Johanes Maliza, Noah Delgado, Petter Villagas (Isaias Bardales – 90), Sebastian Rozental (Dante Poli – 90), Corey Woolfolk (Drew McAthy – 57), Mauricio Salles (Isaac Nieves – 86).

Unused substitutes: Andres Gomez.

Head coach: Hugo Maradona

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA: Sakuda (Whitfield), 11.

PUE: Salles, 34.

SEA: Whitfield (Levesque), 36.

PUE: Salles, 74.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

PUE: Gores (caution), 38.

PUE: Alexix (caution), 43.

PUE: Maliza (caution), 49.

SOUNDERS STILL SEARCHING FOR POSTSEASON: Another Lead Vanishes for Seattle in Second Half
Posted 9/3/2005
Charleston, S.C.. - For the fourth straight game the Seattle Sounders failed to hold a second half lead. Only this time, instead of settling for a tie and one point, they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Charleston Battery Friday before 3,371 at Blackbaud Stadium. The win detered playoff elimination for the Battery and kept the Sounders from clinching a playoff spot.

Charleston, needing a win to keep their fading playoff hopes alive, attacked the Sounders goal throughout the first half, earning a pair of corner kicks in the first fifteen minutes and forcing Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo into six saves.

Meanwhile, the Sounders tried to beat the Battery defense by playing the ball over the top, hoping to use the speed of forwards Welton and Brent Whitfield to get behind the Battery back line but twice Whitfield misplayed a ball over the end line resulting in a Charleston goal kick. To make matters worse Whitfield left the game at halftime with a foot injury and is questionable for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Seattle finally broke through during added time at the end of the first half. Defender Ryan Edwards controlled the ball 25 yards up from the Charleston goal. Moving left to right he laied the ball off to Andrew Gregor who found Whitfield as he entered the 18-yard box. As Charleston 'keeper Chris Doyle came off his line Whitfield knocked the ball forward and off a defender. Before Doyle could recover the ball, Leighton O'Brien pulled the ball onto his feet, moved left and pushed it into an empty goal.

The halftime deficit meant desperation soccer for the Battery in the second half. Their all-out attack paid off with a tying goal from Ben Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth controlled a perfectly weighted Usiel Vasquez cross from the left side at the top of the penalty area and left footed the ball past Burpo from 17-yards up.

Minutes later Seattle missed two opportunities to get the lead back when Doyle denied two strikes from Kevin Sakuda from 8-yards out. In the 86th minute Burpo was assessed a yellow card as he came off his line to clear a ball just outside the 18-yard box. Seattle cleared the ensuing free kick but the Battery knocked it back toward the Sounder goal where it deflected to Andres Perez whose strike from 20 yards sailed into the upper right corner of the goal for the game winner.

The Sounders play in Atlanta against the Silverbacks on Sunday, September 4th at 2:05 PM (PT). The Sounders continue onto Puerto Rico to face the Islanders on Tuesday, September 6th in their last away game of the 2005 regular season. Catch both games live on KKNW 1150-AM.

Join the Sounders on September 9th as they return home to Qwest Field as they host last year’s USL champions the Montreal Impact. Call 206.622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net for more information and up to the minute playoff updates.

Lineups:

SEA: Burpo, Sleeth, Graham, Edwards, Scott, Klaas (Brown, 74'), Sakuda, Gregor (Jenkins, 82'), O’Brien, Melo, Whitfield (Sagare, 45')

CHA: Doyle, Kopp, Piette (Chronopolous 73'), Kutney, Alavanja, Evans, Perez, Smith (Lubecky, 60') , Martinez (Lesesne, 73'), Hollingsworth, Vazquez (Simmonds, 78')

Scoring Summary:

SEA: O'Brien, 45'

CHA: Hollingsworth (Vasquez), 62'

CHA: Perez, 86'

Misconducts:

CHA: Evans (45')

Hollingsworth (73')

SEA: Burpo (86')

Shots

SEA: 7

CHA: 18

Saves:

Burpo 8

Doyle 3

Fouls:

SEA: 11

CHA: 11

Offsides:

SEA: 3

CHA: 2

Corner kicks:

SEA: 2

CHA: 6

OFFICIALS:

REF: Jeff Muschik

ASSTS: Alan Schechtman, Bob Wern

4TH: Ed Allen 

SOUNDERS SECURE POSTSEASON SPOT WITH 2-1 WIN OVER ATLANTA
Posted 9/5/2005
Atlanta, Ga. - Roger Levesque's team-leading sixth goal of the season broke the tie and propelled the Seattle Sounders into the United Soccer league First Division playoffs with a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks before 1,469 at Memorial Stadium.

The game didn't start well for the Sounders as referee Andy Green would not allow Leighton O'Brien to start the match without proper photo identification. O'Brien is on loan to the Sounders from Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer.

While O'Brien's I.D. was being retrieved from the team's hotel, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer inserted back-up goalkeeper James Ward into the starting lineup as a forward. Ward played the firsts 14-minutes before O'Brien's credentials arrived and he was inserted into the match.

Just before halftime O'Brien used a header shot to put the Sounders on the board. C.J. Klaas whipped a ball right-to-left across the 18-yard box to an unmarked Andrew Gregor. Gregor quickly sent the ball back across to O'Brien who raced into head the ball over Silverback's keeper Joe Barton in the 40th minute. It was the second straight game in which O'Brien scored just before halftime.

For the fourth straight game Seattle could not make the early goal hold up. Atlanta tied it at 1-1 on Kris Stone's goal in the 54th minute, knocking the ball past Sounder 'keeper Preston Burpo at the left post off an assist from Fabian Dawkins.

Both teams stayed on the offensive attack looking for the go-ahead goal. Levesque got the game winner in the 63rd minute. After Taylor Graham blasted a shot off Barton at the left post, the ball ricocheted out to Zach Scott. Scott sent the ball over to Levesque who, kneeling 12-yards up from the Silverbacks goal, dipped down to head it in past Barton.

The Sounders were not out of the woods yet as Atlanta quickly went on the counter attack. When Burpo came off his line to try and parry away a crossing pass, he got caught up in traffic leaving the Seattle goal open. Fortunately Ryan Edwards jumped in behind Burpo and was in position to clear away a Silverbacks scoring opportunity. It was Atlanta's last serious scoring threat.

The Seattle Sounders next match is Tuesday, September 6th at Puerto Rico, 5PM (PT). This will be the last game of the Sounders three game road trip – listen live on KKNW 1150 AM pre-game show beginning at 4:35 PM (PT). The Sounders are home for the 2005 season finale on Friday, September 9th at Qwest Field, 7 PM.

Game Notes:

Forward Brent Whitfield is out for the next three weeks with an injury to his right foot, which happened in the first half of Friday night’s match against Charleston.

Playoff Update:

With the victory tonight, the Sounders have earned a spot in the 2005 playoffs. Portland, Puerto Rico, Minnesota and Atlanta are now fighting for 6th place and the final position in the playoffs. Reminder – only the top six teams at the end of the USL regular season make it into post season play.

Lineups:

SEA: Burpo, Sleeth, Graham, Edwards, Scott (Brown, 86'), Klaas (Jenkins, 79'), Sakuda, Gregor, O'Brien, Melo (Sagare, 69'), Ward (O'Brien, 14')

ATL: Barton, Peoples, Afful, Plute, Ilarionov (Stone, 53'), Rios, Hayes, Murriagui (Millwood, 53'), Pineda-Chacon, DelaTorre, Dawkins

Scoring Summary:

SEA: O'Brien, 40' (Gregor)

ATL: Stone 54' (Dawkins),

SEA: Levesque 63' (Scott)

Misconducts:

SEA: Gregor (44')

SEA: Burpo (85')

SEA: Brown (89')

Shots:

SEA: 13

ATL: 3

Saves:

Burpo 1

Barton 3

Fouls:

SEA: 12

ATL: 15

Offsides:

SEA: 1

ATL: 3

Corner kicks:

SEA: 5

ATL: 6

OFFICIALS:

REF: Andy Green

ASSTS: Joe Ellis, Mark Cleland

4TH: Alex Oliver 

ISLANDERS SINK SOUNDERS: Seattle Loses Final Road Game in Puerto Rico
Posted 9/7/2005
Bayamon, P.R. - The Seattle Sounders ended their longest road trip of the season with a 2-0 loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders Tuesday before 2,028 at Ramon Luis Rivera Stadium. The Sounders went 1-2-0 on the three game, six day road swing out east but the lone win in Atlanta on Sunday did clinch the team's berth in the United Soccer League's First Division playoffs.

The Sounders actually came out and played very well through the firsts 15-minutes of the match, keeping the ball on the Islanders side of the field most of that time only to come up empty on their early chances. Meanwhile, when they got the opportunity, Puerto Rico made the most of its first half scoring chances.

In the 20th minute Peter Villegas controlled the ball to the left of the goal. He cut inside at the top of the Sounder penalty area and he laid the ball off to Mauricio Salles. From 22-yards away Salles found a seam in the Seattle defense and sent a low-flying laser off his right foot past a diving Preston Burpo and into the back of the net just inside the post. It was Salles' third goal against Seattle in two games.

Four minutes later the Islanders, who are vying with three other teams for the last available playoff spot, struck again. This time Corey Woolfolk chipped the ball from 30-yards out over the Seattle defenders. Rozental was the first to the ball, getting control 15-yards from the Sounder goal and sending it up and over Burpo in the 24th minute.

Seattle got a break in the second half when Islander defender Alejandro Gonzalez was issued his second yellow card and thus an automatic red card ejection. From the 57th minute on the Sounders played with an extra man but were unable to take advantage of the good fortune as they were whistled for four offsides.

The shutout ended a streak of five straight games in which Seattle has scored the game's first goal. The win keeps Puerto Rico's playoff hopes alive.

The Sounders are home for the 205 season finale the Friday, September 9th at 7PM, Qwest Field. Call 206.622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

Lineups:

SEA: Burpo, Sleeth, Graham , Edwards (Sagare, 45'), Scott (Jenkins, 76'), Klaas, Sakuda, Gregor, O’Brien (Ward), Melo (Brown, 70'), Levesque

PR: Kennedy, Poli, Norkus, Gonzalez, Zuleta, Lopuski, Rozental, Villegas, Delgado, Woolfolk, Salles

Scoring Summary:

PR: Salles (Villegas), 20'

PR: Rozental (Woolfolk), 24'

Misconducts:

PR: Gonzalez, 13'

PR: Gonzalez, 57' (ejection)

SEA: Sagare, 61'

SEA: Sakuda, 74'

PR: Zuleta, 76'

Shots:

SEA: 6

PR: 10

Saves:

Burpo 0

Kennedy 1

Fouls:

SEA: 7

PR: 13

Offsides:

SEA: 5

PR: 3

Corner kicks:

SEA: 4

PR: 4

Officals:

REF: Merritt Guthrie

ASSTS: Jimmie Tosado, Benjamin Rivera

4TH: Steve Kara

SEATTLE DEFEATS FIRST PLACE MONTREAL 1-0 on JENKINS GOAL
Posted 9/10/2005
SEATTLE- The Seattle Sounders (11-6-11) ended their 2005 regular season on a high note as they defeated the first place team in the United Soccer Leagues- Montreal Impact (17-3-7) 1-0 before a crowd of 5,966 at Qwest Field on Friday night.

The Sounders faced an extra defender in the game tonight – the crossbar. The Sounders hit the crossbar of the Montreal goal four times tonight. Battling in front of the goal, several scoring opportunities resulted in bouncing off the top of the goal and redirecting in Montreal’s favor. However, the Sounders didn’t let it get them down.

The Sounders came out and played very well through the first 20-minutes of the match, keeping the ball on the Impact side of the field. The offensive effort lead to a Scott Jenkins goal in the 17th minute of play which was a result of the third corner kick of the match for the Sounders by Leighton O’Brien.

O’Brien crossed a low ball directly to near post where Jenkins one-touched the ball through two Impact defenders and just past the goalpost to score the first and only goal of the game.

The Sounders continued to dominate play into the second half. Galindo could not be slowed down by the Impact defense, much like the speed of injured Brent Whitfield. He repeatedly created chances for the Sounders, but no one could capitalize on the opportunities, including Galindo himself- who hit the crossbar on a header in the first half.

Galindo’s speed and impressive skill proved to be helpful in creating opportunities for the Sounders during the game. The 6-0 forward created several key scoring opportunities for the Sounders in the first half. His speed and work rate greatly impacted the Sounders on the offense, as the Sounders not only defeated the best team in USL 1-0, they also led in shots 21-10. The Sounders defense denied the Impact any real offensive efforts until the last minute of the game.

In stoppage time the Impact made a push for the tying goal when Lars Lyssand was denied- sliding feet first to make to huge save, while taking a knee to the face. Burpo was escorted off the field at the end of the match. Burpo suffered a concussion and will miss a one to two days of practice.

The Seattle Sounders next home game will be the first round of USL playoffs held at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila on Sunday, September 18th at 7pm. For more information call 206.622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

Playoff Notes:

With the win tonight, the Sounder officially clinch fourth place in the USL standings. They are playoff bound and the Sounders will play the winner of the Portland-Richmond game tomorrow night (Saturday, September 10th). In case of a tie, the Sounders will play Richmond. Friday, September 16th match will be on the road at 7pm either in Portland or on the east coast at Richmond.

Game Notes:

Tonight the Sounders were without rookie forward Brent Whitefield, due to a broken right toe. In his place was Cuban defector and recent Seattle Sounders signee, Maykel Galindo.

Lineups:

SEA: Burpo, Sleeth, Graham, Edwards, Jenkins, Klaas (Wiesner ’79), Sakuda, Sturm (Sagare ’75), O’Brien (Gregor ’71), Galindo (Somoza ’67), Levesque (Scott ’90)

MON: Oliveri, Pizzolitto (Gervais ’59), Hoinault (Biello ’77), Froninadis (Braz ’75), Lyssand, Cann (Leduc ’65), DiPlacido, Fukasawa, Mert (Vincello ’71), Bailey, Gbeke

Scoring Summary:

SEA: 1 0 1

MON: 0 0 0

Misconducts:

SEA: O’Brien ‘11

MON: Lyssand ‘21

MON: Pizzolitto ‘45

SEA: Sturm ‘51

SEA: Edwards ‘56

SEA: Gregor ‘72

Shots:

SEA: 21

MON: 10

Saves:

Burpo: 4

Olivieri: 6

Fouls:

SEA: 18

MON: 13

Offsides:

SEA: 3

MON: 7

Corner kicks:

SEA: 11

MON: 1 

SEATTLE JUMPS TO ONE-GOAL ADVANTAGE IN PLAYOFF SERIES WITH TIMBERS
Deciding match is Sunday in Seattle

September 16, 2005---Timbers release

PORTLAND, Ore. - Roger Levesque tallied early and the Seattle Sounders hung on to defeat the Portland Timbers 1-0 before 5,667 Friday night at PGE Park, taking a one-goal lead into the second and final leg of the two-game, aggregate-goal series.

”We need to be more quality around the penalty area,” Timbers head coach Bobby Howe said. “The game was very even, and it could have easily been 1-0, Timbers.”

The second match kicks off Sunday at 7 p.m. at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., and will be nationally televised on Fox Soccer Channel. In the Portland area, the game can be seen live on Comcast Digital Cable channel 401.

Just two minutes into the match, Seattle hit for the game’s only goal on a throw-in by Zach Scott to an unmarked Levesque, who headed it in for the strike. Timbers goalkeeper Josh Saunders failed to deflect the well-placed header as the ball snuck inside the far post.

The goal mirrored the start of last season’s first-round series between the rivals when Levesque struck first for Seattle in Game 1 at PGE Park, a series that Portland eventually lost, 3-2.

Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar nearly finished a free kick when he caught Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo asleep in goal at the 42nd mark, and Byron Alvarez sent an open shot in the box just over the crossbar in the 44th, marking the Timbers’ best chances to tally in the first half.

In the second half, Edwin Miranda kept the pressure on in the 47th, but Billy Sleeth deflected his one-timed shot wide.

Fadi Afash, a late substitute, nearly equalized with a right-footed flick over the head of Burpo that landed just beyond the crossbar in the 82nd.

The winner of the first-round series will play the defending-champion Montreal Impact in the semifinals.

TIMBERS NOTES: Vancouver drew Richmond 0-0 in Game One of the other first-round series … Jarrod Weis and Paul Conway sat out Friday’s contest with injuries … Saturday morning’s 8 a.m. training session is open to the media.

SCORING SUMMARY: Levesque, 2’ (Scott).

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: SEA Scott, YC (32’), Sleeth, YC (45’), O’Brien, YC (72’), Gregor, YC (90’); POR Miranda, YC (30’).

LINEUPS: SEATTLE Burpo GK, Scott D, Graham D, Sleeth D, Edwards D, Klaas M (Sagare 90’), Sakuda M, O’Brien M, Strum M (Jenkins 74’), Levesque F, Galindo F (Gregor 75’); PORTLAND Saunders GK, Goldthwaite D, Thompson D, Morrison D, Marcum D, Alcaraz-Cuellar M, Miranda M, Lines M, Winters M, Alvarez F (Afash 81’), Antoniuk F.

SOUNDERS ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS WITH 2 GOAL WIN OVER TIMBERS
Posted 9/19/2005
TUKWILA, Wash. -- Once again forward Roger Levesque scored all the goals as the Seattle Sounders defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 Sunday night in front of a packed house at the Starfire Sports Complex to move on to the next round of the 2005 United Soccer Leagues Playoffs. Levesque’s two goals gave Seattle a 3-0 aggregate win in the series with Portland, following a 1-0 Sounders victory Friday night in which Levesque scored the game’s only goal.

Seattle started the match firing on all cylinders and raised an already charged atmosphere to near fever-pitch levels when Levesque put the Sounders on the board inside five minutes. The goal came when O’Brien’s low, curling free kick from 25 yards out was flicked just inside the far post by Levesque’s diving header to put Seattle up 1-0.

Recent signing and former Cuban international Maykel Galindo caused all sorts of problems for Portland with his breakaway speed -- drawing repeated fouls from the overmatched Timbers defenders. A total of five cards were given out in the match -- all in a very physical and intense first half -- including a red card to Portland midfielder Aaran Lines, who was shown a second yellow card in the 27th minute following a dangerous tackle from behind on Seattle midfielder C.J. Klaas.

Following the ejection, the referee struggled to maintain order in a match that teetered on a knife edge. Nonetheless, Sounders goalkeeper Preston Burpo had a relatively uneventful first half, but the same could not be said of his Portland counterpart Josh Saunders.

In the 18th minute, Levesque had an open shot at goal inside the penalty area following a sloppy Portland clearance, but his quick, right-footed shot skipped just wide of the far post. Ten minutes later, Galindo forced Saunders into a nice save with a hard shot just inside the box. Sakuda’s 25-yard drive in the 39th sent Saunders sprawling but was just wide, and Galindo had a breakaway attempt broken up in the 43rd when Saunders took the ball off his feet with a diving save.

By the time the second half started, tensions on the field had cooled somewhat, but Levesque kept the electricity going in the crowd when he scored his second goal less than 10 minutes in. O’Brien sent in a swerving ball across to Gregor at the far post. Gregor knocked the ball over to a totally unmarked Levesque in front of the goal with a sliding touch, and Levesque couldn’t miss as he easily tapped in to give Seattle a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead.

The Sounders exploited their man advantage for the rest of the match and should have added to their lead on several occasions, but both Levesque and Gregor were guilty of glaring misses in the 59th and 60th minutes. Galindo’s diving header in front of the goal went just over in the 65th, and O'Brien’s blistering 18-yard drive in the 72nd beat Saunders but crashed off of the crossbar.

Seattle hosts the Montreal Impact in the first game of the semifinals on Friday, September 23 at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Monday, September 19, at 10 a.m. For more ticket information, call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Portland Timbers

Starfire Sports Complex

Tukwila, WA

September 18, 2005

Weather: Clear skies, 60s

Attendance: 2,543

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 1 1 2

Portland Timbers 0 0 0

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards (Scott Jenkins -- 59), Zack Scott, Gabe Sturm (Andrew Gregor -- 46), Kevin Sakuda, Leighton O’Brien, C.J. Klaas (Jake Sagare -- 81), Maykel Galindo (Brent Whitfield -- 69), Roger Levesque (Brett Wiesner -- 77).

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Ben Somoza.

POR: Josh Saunders, Garrett Marcum (Scott Benedetti -- 77), Scot Thompson, Lee Morisson, Kevin Goldthwaite, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Edwin Miranda, Brian Winters, Aaran Lines, Byron Alvarez (Shaun Higgins -- 60), Dan Antoniuk.

Unused substitutes: Sam Reynolds, Fadi Afash, Gavin Wilkinson, Tom Poltl.

Head coach: Bobby Howe.

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA: Levesque (O’Brien), 5.

SEA: Levesque (Gregor), 54.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR: Marcum (caution), 17.

POR: Alvarez (caution), 22.

POR: Lines (caution), 25.

POR: Lines (ejection), 27.

SEA: O’Brien (caution), 29. 

IMPACT COME FROM BEHIND TO DRAW SOUNDERS 2-2 IN GAME ONE
Posted 9/24/2005
TUKWILA, Wash. – The Montreal Impact scored two goals in the final four minutes to tie the Seattle Sounders 2-2 Friday night in the first game of the United Soccer Leagues First Division semifinals at the Starfire Sports Complex. Substitute forward Charles Gbeke scored both goals for the Impact, both with his head, as the home-and-away aggregate series now shifts over to Montreal Sunday for the second and decisive game.

Gabe Sturm and Leighton O’Brien scored the first-half goals for Seattle. The Sounders appeared to have the game under control well into the second half after dominating the first half, but Montreal kept fighting once the Sounders went totally defensive after the 75th minute. Gbeke proved the difference maker as both of the Impact goals came from his head off timely crosses.

The Sounders started the match patiently in waiting for their chances to come, but they didn’t have to wait long as Sturm knocked in the game’s first goal just 10 minutes in. The goal was the product of heads-up play between two rookie midfielders as C.J. Klaas did well to keep a long ball in on the right side at the midfield touchline. Klaas turned with a defender bearing down on him and quickly hit a perfect, 30-yard cross to the far post, where Sturm slid in to redirect the ball just inside the upright to give Seattle the all-important first goal of the series.

The Impact quickly fought back when forward and captain Mauro Biello nearly found strike partner Eddie Sebrango streaking into the box with a nice through ball, but Burpo was quick off his line and cut the pass out.

Sturm then made a superb individual effort in the 21st minute to set up the Sounders’ second goal and drew two yellow cards for Montreal in the process. The rookie midfielder made a nice turn with the ball at midfield and sprinted toward goal before being taken down from behind at the top of the penalty arch by Impact midfielder Pat Leduc, who was shown a yellow card for his efforts. Defender Mauricio Vincello was then yellow-carded for arguing the call.

O’Brien stepped up to take the resulting free kick and drilled a sweetly struck, bending drive with his right foot beyond the outstretched hands of a diving Greg Sutton and into the far, top corner of the goal to give Seattle a huge 2-0 lead before the half-hour mark.

Montreal’s best scoring chance of the first half came when Biello got free in the left side of the penalty area before ripping a low shot past Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo but just wide of the far post.

Seattle nearly scored three minutes later when some smart passing at the top of the Montreal penalty area led to O’Brien’s free chance at goal just inside the box, but although O’Brien’s shot had the necessary power, it was right at Sutton, who smothered it.

The Sounders started the second half with two great scoring chances. The first came in the 48th minute, when Klaas found Maykel Galindo in the box with a delightful ball from 25 yards out. Galindo’s glancing header was going to the bottom corner, but Sutton made a superb save to keep the ball out. Two minutes later, Roger Levesque sent Sturm in on goal with a great through ball, but Sutton came way off his line to deny Sturm with an alert save.

Montreal responded in the 54th minute with quality shots by Biello and Vincello, but still Seattle succeeded in limiting the Impact to mostly half chances, while the forward tandem of Levesque and Galindo was always a threat on the counterattack.

Gradually, the Impact began to find their way, and in the 62nd minute Burpo produced a fantastic save to deny Antonio Ribeiro on a break, and Biello’s follow-up on the rebound from point-blank range somehow went wide.

Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer made tactical substitutions in the 72nd and 77th minutes, taking off Klaas and Sturm in favor of the more defensive-minded Scott Jenkins and Jake Sagare, but the moves failed to halt Montreal’s attack, and in the 86th minute, the Impact finally broke through.

Substitute midfielder Masahiro Fukasawa whipped in a beautiful cross from the right side, and the big Gbeke rose up to knock a classy header over a helpless Burpo to cut Seattle’s lead in half.

Then just before the stroke of full time, Gbeke stuck again when he met defender Adam Braz’s cross in midair and buried it into the low, far corner for a stunning equalizer.

The second game of the United Soccer League First Division semifinals will be at 1 p.m. (PT) Sunday, September 25, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex in Montreal. The game will be broadcast live on KKNW 1150 AM.

Pending final judgment from the USL, O’Brien will be unavailable for game two in Montreal after picking up his third yellow card in the playoffs and will not make the trip.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Montreal Impact

Starfire Sports Complex

Tukwila, Wash.

September 23, 2005

Weather: Partly cloudy, 60s.

Attendance: 2,698

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 2 0 2

Montreal Impact 0 2 2

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott, Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas (Jake Sagare – 77), Leighton O’Brien, Gabe Sturm (Scott Jenkins – 72), Maykel Galindo (Andrew Gregor – 87), Roger Levesque.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Ben Somoza, Brent Whitfield, Brett Wiesner.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

MON: Greg Sutton, Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto, Mauricio Vincello, Adam Braz, Pat Leduc, David DiPlacido (Masahiro Fukasawa – 59), Lars Lyssand (Joel Bailey – 56), Antonio Ribeiro (Charles Gbeke – 77), Mauro Biello, Edward Sebrango.

Unused substitutes: Andrew Oliver, Adrian Cann, Mesut Mert, Carlos Garcia.

Head coach: Nick Disantis

GOAL SUMMARY

SEA: Sturm (Klaas), 10.

SEA: O’Brien, 22.

MON: Gbeke (Fukasawa), 86.

MON: Gbeke (Braz), 89.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

MON: Leduc (caution), 21.

MON: Vincello (caution), 21.

SEA: O’Brien (caution), 34.

SEA: Sleeth (caution), 45.

SEA: Burpo (caution), 62. 

SOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND: Sounders Upset Number One Montreal 2-1
Posted 9/25/2005
MONTREAL, September 25, 2005 – A goal by Sounders forward Roger Levesque in the 90th minute allowed the Sounders to beat the Montreal Impact 2-1, Sunday, in front of 10,124 spectators at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.

With the victory, the Sounders advance to the United Soccer Leagues championship match for the second consecutive year. They will host the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, October 1st, 8 PM (PT) at Qwest Field pending United Soccer Leagues (USL) approval early Monday morning. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel.

The Sounders, who came away from the first leg of the semi-finals series with a 2-2 draw versus Montreal at home, defeated the Impact in Montreal 2-1 on Sunday, which eliminated Montreal 4-3 aggregately. With Sunday’s win Seattle avenges last season's 2-0-championship defeat in Montreal while advancing to the final.

Heading into Sunday’s second game of the home and away series the Sounders gave up two goals in last four minutes of the match on Friday night. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer had to rally his troops to pull the huge upset against number one seed Montreal. The Sounders were without three key starters in Montreal on Sunday, Leighton O’Brien (playoff yellow card accumulation-suspension), Maykel Galindo (no photo ID allowing to travel) and Zach Scott (wife expecting first child).

Game Recap:

The Sounders opened the scoring in the 59th minute when forward Brent Whitfield jumped on a rebound following Gabe Sturm’s shot, sliding to push the ball into an empty net.

The Impact tied the score in the 72nd minute, when Charles Gbeke redirected a centering pass from defender Mauricio Vincello with a header. It was his third goal in two playoff games.

On the winning goal, Levesque took a shot from 25 yards out that deflected off Nevio Pizzolitto’s foot and dipped over goalkeeper Greg Sutton, who was caught flat-footed. It was Levesque’s fourth goal in the 2005 playoffs. The assist was credited to midfielder Andrew Gregor.

The Sounders now advance to the USL Championship Final, which will take place October 1, against the Richmond Kickers. The Kickers defeated the Rochester Raging Rhinos 4-2 aggregately in the other USL First Division playoff series.

Championship Weekend Live on Fox Soccer Channel:

The Seattle-Richmond game will be held in Seattle at Qwest Field on Saturday, October 1st, kick off is set for 8pm Pacific Time and will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel. Tickets for the championship game will go on sale at 10am Monday. Reserved seats are $20 and general admission seats are $15 and group tickets are available by calling the Sounders (reserved $15, general admission $10). Call 206.622.3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net to purchase tickets.

Sounders-Richmond History:

The Sounders matched up against the Kickers for the first time in 2005 on June 3rd in Richmond. The Sounders defeated the Kicker 2-0 on goals from Ryan Edwards and Welton Melo. Both assists came from rookie midfielder and USL rookie of the year nominee CJ Klaas.

In their second meeting on August 13th at Qwest Field in Seattle, the Kickers came from behind in the 89th minute to tie the Sounders 1-1. Brent Whitfield scored on a Kevin Sakuda assist for the Sounders and Peter Luzak scored for the Kickers off Burke’s assist.

Richmond finished the 2005 regular season in sixth place with 39 points, 28 goals for and 30 goals against. They defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first round of USL playoffs 5-4 aggregately to advance to the semi-finals. In the Semi-finals they defeated Rochester 4-2 aggregately to advance to the championship match. Defender Peter Luzack was named Second Team All-USL.

The Kickers will be without forward McColm Cephas in the championship game due to red card ejection in the semi- final game. Cephas has played in 21 regular season games tallying one goal for the Kickers.

Seattle finished in fourth place with 44 points, 33 goals for and 25 goals against in the 2005 regular season. They defeated the Portland Timbers in the first round of USL playoffs 3-0 aggregately; forward Roger Levesque scored all three goals. The Sounders advanced to the semi-finals were they defeated the Montreal Impact 4-3 to advance to the championship match.

Sounders Taylor Graham was named First Team All-USL and goalkeeper Preston Burpo was named Second Team All-USL. CJ Klaas is a contender for USL’s Rookie of the Year and Taylor Graham is a contender for USL Defender of the Year. The USL awards will be announced at the Championship game banquet.

SEATTLE LINE-UP

Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards, Scott Jenkins, Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas, Gabe Sturm (Jake Sagare 82), Andrew Gregor, Roger Levesque, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza 63)

IMPACT LINE-UP

Greg Sutton, Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto, Mauricio Vincello, Adam Braz (Charles Gbeke 66), Patrick Leduc, David DiPlacido (Joel Bailey 45), Mesut Mert (Masahiro Fukasawa 56), Antonio Ribeiro, Mauro Biello, Eduardo Sebrango

GOALS

SEA: Brent Whitfield (Gabe Sturm) 59

MTL: Charles Gbeke (Mauricio Vincello) 72

SEA: Roger Levesque (Andrew Gregor) 90

SHOTS MTL 8 SEA 12

SAVES MTL 4 SEA 4

FOULS MTL 15 SEA 17

OFFSIDES MTL 0 SEA 2

CORNERS MTL 2 SEA 14

CAUTIONS

MTL: Nevio Pizzolitto (C) 28

SEA: Ryan Edwards (C) 32

SEA: Roger Levesque (C) 53

MTL: Gabriel Gervais (C) 68

SEA: Andrew Gregor (C) 79

SEA: Kevin Sakuda (C) 90

REFEREES

Silviu Petrescu, Amato DeLuca, Jean-François Corrivault, Daniel Belleau

SOUNDERS DEFEAT KICKERS TO WIN USL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Posted 10/2/2005
SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders were crowned champions of the United Soccer Leagues First Division after defeating the Richmond Kickers 4-3 in the penalty kick round of the USL First Division Championship match Saturday night at Qwest Field. In his final game as a Sounder, defender Scott Jenkins scored the winning penalty kick before Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale hit the crossbar in the seventh round of penalty kicks to give the Sounders their third USL title.

An intense match saw a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation. Richmond midfielder Sascha Gorres bagged a brilliant goal in the first half to put the Kickers up 1-0, and Seattle forward Maykel Galindo got a much-deserved equalizer midway through the second. Both sides were reduced to 10 men late in regulation after Seattle midfielder C.J. Klaas and Richmond midfielder Joey Worthen were shown red cards following a tussle in the Seattle penalty area.

Sounders goalkeeper Preston Burpo was named the game’s most valuable player for an outstanding performance in regulation and for a huge save during the decisive penalty kick round.

Seattle had a rough first half, and Burpo was very busy as Richmond’s aggressive and direct play produced several quality scoring chances in the first 25 minutes.

In the 10th minute, Richmond midfielder Mike Burke served in a nice ball from the right side that forward Matt Delicate flicked on goal with a header that Burpo tipped over the bar brilliantly. On the resulting corner, Burpo was forced into an alert save at the near post by Chris Carrieri’s quick shot.

Three minutes later, Galindo was hauled down from behind in the box by Richmond defender Kevin Knight after Kevin Sakuda sent him in on goal with a quality through ball, but Seattle’s appeals for a penalty went unanswered by referee Ricardo Valenzuela.

Worthen forced Burpo into a fine save in the 23rd when he finished off a bullish, 25-yard scamper through midfield with a searing blast from 20 yards that Burpo palmed over the bar.

Gorres then struck a minute later when Burpo’s punched clearance off of a corner kick fell to him 25 yards from goal. Gorres took a touch before unleashing a blistering strike that flew past a diving Burpo and into the top corner to stun the large home crowd of 8,011 and give the Kickers a deserved 1-0 lead.

The goal brought some life to the Sounders, but their attack consisted mostly of long balls to Galindo, who had no problem chasing them down but had little support – leaving Richmond with an easy task of regaining possession.

Seattle’s best chances of the first half came in the 32nd minute. Klaas made an aggressive run toward the box from deep down the right side before ripping a hard cross to the near post that Pascale punched away. Moments later, Sakuda one-timed a shot from the edge of the penalty area just wide.

Following a somewhat lethargic first half in which Richmond controlled the majority of the play, Seattle expectedly came out of the locker room a much more focused and determined side in the second. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute, however, that the Sounders were able to find the equalizer.

Leighton O’Brien’s free kick from 40 yards out was headed across goal by Taylor Graham to Ryan Edwards, who headed it again to a rushing Galindo. Galindo slid in at the far post to knock the ball past Pascale and level the match – much to the approval of the home crowd.

Forward Roger Levesque then had two chances to extend the Seattle lead, but his weak shot in the 75th was wide, and his header from an Andrew Gregor serve was well over Pascale’s goal.

Approaching the 80th minute, the Sounders had all of the run of play, but Richmond nearly scored off of the counterattack when midfielder Tim Brown put his open header inside the penalty area wide of Burpo’s goal.

In the 82nd minute, Klaas and Worthen were shown straight red cards for violent conduct for their parts in a brief scuffle in front of Burpo’s goal, forcing both sides to play the rest of the way with 10 men.

Richmond’s attack suddenly threatened to come to back to life in second half stoppage time, and the Sounders spent most of the final three minutes of regulation desperately clearing balls out of their penalty area. Then in the final minute of stoppage time, Gregor missed a glorious chance to score a dramatic winner off the counterattack when he headed a Billy Sleeth cross right to Pascale at the far post.

The Sounders dominated the majority of the two 15-minute overtime periods and out-hustled a tiring Richmond side for the most part, but the Kickers had chances of their own off counterattacks.

The best chances for both sides came in the second overtime period. Graham shot wide on successive one-timers just inside the Richmond penalty area in the 107th and 108th minutes. Forward Robert Ssejjemba then had a good chance two minutes later off the counterattack when he charged unopposed through midfield only to blast his shot from the top of the penalty area over Burpo’s goal.

Four minutes from the end of extra time, Sakuda had Seattle’s best chance to put the game away, but his one-timed shot from 20 yards went agonizingly wide as Pascale was frozen on his line.

Two minutes later, Richmond’s Ssejjemba could have ended it, but he poked a weak shot right at Burpo after working his way into open space in front of goal.

The penalty kicks round was a back-and-forth affair, with Burpo saving Ssejjemba’s second-round effort, and Pascale – who played a superb match – saving on Levesque and Graham. After Graham’s shot was saved in the fifth round, Richmond forward Kevin Jeffrey could have won the game for the Kickers, but he put his shot well over the crossbar.

After Sakuda and Matt Pauls exchanged goals, veteran Scott Jenkins – playing in his final professional match before retirement – put the penalty kick score at 4-3 when he squeezed his shot past Pascale. The Richmond goalkeeper stepped up to take the Kicker’s seventh penalty kick and proceeded to bang it off the crossbar to give the Sounders a dramatic victory and the USL championship.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders v. Richmond Kickers

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

October 1, 2005

Weather: Cloudy, 60s.

Attendance: 8,011.

SCORING SUMMARY

REGULATION

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Richmond Kickers 1 0 1

OVERTIME

SEA: 0

RIC: 0

PENALTY KICKS

SEA: 4

RIC: 3

LINEUPS

SEA: Preston Burpo, Billy Sleeth (Jake Sagare – 120), Taylor Graham, Ryan Edwards (Scott Jenkins – 91), Zach Scott (Brent Whitfield – 70), Kevin Sakuda, C.J. Klaas, Leighton O’Brien, Gabe Sturm (Andrew Gregor – 55), Maykel Galindo (Ben Somoza – 99), Roger Levesque.

Unused substitutes: James Ward, Brett Wiesner.

Head coach: Brian Schmetzer.

RIC: Ronnie Pascale, Chris Fox (Matt Pauls – 120), Kevin Knight, Pete Luzak, Tony Williams, Tim Brown, Sascha Gorres, Joe Worthen, Chris Carrier (Kevin Jeffrey – 72), Mike Burke (Robert Ssejjemba – 90), Matt Delicate.

Unused substitutes: Steve Anile, Jeff Hare, Matt Bubo, and Koki Nit.

Head coach: Leigh Coleslaw.

GOAL SUMMARY

REGULATION

RIC: Gorres, 24.

SEA: Galindo (Edwards), 73.

PENALTY KICKS

SEA: Gregor, O’Brien, Sakuda, Jenkins.

RIC: Gorres, Williams, Pauls.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

RIC: Carrier (caution), 18.

RIC: Brown (caution), 19.

SEA: Scott (caution), 19.

RIC: Burke (caution), 29.

SEA: Edwards (caution), 45.

SEA: Klaas (caution), 65.

SEA: Gregor (caution), 79.

SEA: Klaas (ejection), 82.

RIC: Worthen (ejection), 82.