August 30, 2010 – Major League Soccer (MLS) Seattle Sounders FC 
Playing with a combination of grit and flair, the Seattle Sounders FC enters the week with an eye on bringing a cup final to its home pitch and further boosting its postseason aspirations during a cross country trip in MLS.
On Wednesday night Sounders FC is pitted against Chivas USA in a sold-out U.S. Open Cup semifinal at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. First kick is 7:30 p.m. The scene shifts 2,500 miles to the east and Foxborough, Mass. on Saturday, when Seattle faces the New England Revolution at 4:30 p.m. PT.
Over the past two months since beginning Open Cup play, Sounders FC (9-8-5, 32 points in league; 11-10-7 overall) has been on domestic tear, losing only once in 10 games.
If it can advance past Chivas USA (6-11-4, 22 points), Seattle will host the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final on October 5 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. The Columbus Crew and D.C. United meet in Wednesday’s other semifinal.
The Rave Green are cup holders but have yet to score a goal in four MLS meetings with Chivas USA, which defeated D.C. United, 1-0, at home on Sunday to snap a three-game winless string. Seattle will face Chivas USA again in its final regular season home game on October 15.
After coming from behind to beat the Chicago Fire, 2-1, at home last week Sounders FC rides a franchise-best seven-game unbeaten (5-0-2) streak into New England. The 3-0 win over the Revolution on June 5 matched the biggest victory margin for the club. The Revs (6-12-3, 21 points) have lost three in a row but are 5-4-2 at home. They host Monarcas Morelia in the SuperLiga final on Wednesday.
Seattle’s surge to begin the second half of the season has propelled it into the second of four wild card slots. Eight teams qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs: the first two teams in each division and the teams with the next four best point totals.
Arlo White will call all the week’s action. The cup semifinal will be available for viewing via a webcast at www.SoundersFC.com and Saturday’s match will be televised on KONG 6/16 and heard on both KIRO 97.3 FM and Homero 1210 AM.
Sounders FC is back home on September 9 to play reigning MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake in a nationally televised contest. Tickets for home matches are available by calling 1-877-MLS-GOAL or visiting www.SoundersFC.com.
Upcoming Competition Schedule (All times Pacific)
Wednesday, September 1, 7:30 p.m. – Chivas USA, Starfire Sports Stadium, Tukwila, Wash. (Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal)
Saturday, September 4, 4:30 p.m. – at New England Revolution, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Thursday, September 9, 8 p.m. – Real Salt Lake, Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field, Seattle
Tuesday, September 14, 7 p.m. – CD Saprissa, Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, San Jose, Costa Rica(CONCACAF Champions League, Group Stage/Round Three)
Saturday, September 18, 4:30 p.m. – Columbus Crew, Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
No Stopping Sounders FC
Sounders FC supporters who give their full 90 have been rewarded with some glorious stoppage time goals this season, the most recent being Fredy Montero’s game-winning header against Chicago last week. Montero sealed the come-from-behind performance in the second minute of stoppage time. Seven matches have been decided in the 85th minute or later, including four wins (Kansas City, New York, D.C. and Chicago).
It was Seattle’s fourth comeback victory and first since defeating FC Dallas in the final regular season game of 2009.
Back to 2009 Levels
The seven-game unbeaten (5-0-2) streak is the best yet for Sounders FC, breaking two six-game runs (1-0-5 and 3-0-3) in 2009. Only FC Dallas’ 12-game unbeaten run is longer this season. And after a lackluster finish to the first half of the 2010 season Seattle has battled its way back to a playoff position. The total of 32 points after 22 games equals the sum at the same stage (8-6-8) a year ago.
The Rave Green is above .500 for the first time since going to 2-1-2 after a draw at FC Dallas on April 22. The three-game home win streak is also a new standard.
Montero: MLS Player of the Week
Fredy Montero was voted MLS Player of the Week for his brace against the Chicago Fire. It is the second time Montero has earned the award. He won it in Week 1 of 2009 after scoring twice in the inaugural match win over New York. This is the second weekly award for a Sounders FC player this season. Steve Zakuani took the honors in Week 17 after bagging two goals against Colorado on July 25.
Fredy est
