Martins Leads Sounders over Rapids for First Win of Season

After a franchise worst 0-3-2 start, the Seattle Sounders FC have finally won a game this season. New designated player, forward Obafemi Martins, scored the only goal in the 27th minute against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver. The play began with Shalrie Joseph shooting from the top of the box.  That shot was saved by Rapids keeper Clint Irwin but returned by Martins.  Joseph impressed fans from both teams with a celebratory cartwheel-backflip. Unfortunately, Sounders fans have seen just three backflips this season—and the Sounders have played six of their 34 games. Martins, Joseph, DeAndre Yedlin, Marc Burch and Lamar Neagle were all acquired during what appeared to be a strong offseason.  Sounders’ star Fredy Montero was sent away on loan to Colombia, but between Martins, Joseph, Neagle and Eddie Johnson, that didn’t look like a big problem. Montero is the Sounders franchise leader in goals and assists with 47 balls finding the net and 36 assists.  He has led the Sounders with goals scored all but last year (Montero had 13, Johnson netted 14) and assists all four years (besides this season).  On loan to Millonarios in Colombia, Montero already has three goals in eight games. If ...

Seattle Sounders Tie with Vancouver Whitecaps, Earn Playoff Spot

Thanks to an incredible defense-oriented game led by keeper Michael Gspurning, the Sounders FC clinched their fourth consecutive playoff berth with a tie on Saturday against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Hopefully, this one will end up in an MLS Cup Championship.Despite the Sounders high intensity offense led by forwards Eddie Johnson and Fredy Montero, the Sounders were shut down by the Vancouver Whitecaps—the fifth place team in the Western Conference. The tie guaranteed the Sounders a trip to the playoffs, and pushed the second-year Whitecaps into the lead for the final spot (five teams of each MLS conference make the playoffs). Currently, the Whitecaps have 39 points and lead FC Dallas by two. Both teams will play three more matches before the postseason begins.The Sounders are now the first expansion team in MLS history to have made four consecutive playoff appearances. In addition to that feat, the Sounders join Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy as the only teams to qualify for every postseason since 2009.Despite the playoff berth, some people were upset with the draw at Century Link Field against a Northwest rival. Midfielder Mauro Rosales told the Sounders website, “We know we are in the playoffs with ...

Seattle Sounders’ Eddie Johnson and Osvaldo Alonso Named to MLS All-Star Team

On Sunday, Major League Soccer announced that Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and forward Eddie Johnson were selected to the 2012 MLS All-Star team.  Alonso, 26, will be playing in the second all-star match of his four-year career.  Johnson, 28, was selected to his third all-star match, his first with the Sounders and first since returning to the United States' most competitive league.Alonso, a native of Cuba, officially became an American citizen last month.  2012 has been an exciting year for him for this reason and because of his growth as a player.  Always solid since the Sounders joined MLS in 2009, Alonso has been having the best season of his career so far.  The holding midfielder has appeared in 15 matches this season and has held opponents to one goal per game, currently second in MLS.Alonso leads the Sounders with 702 completed passes and an 81.4 completed passing percentage.Eddie Johnson, an eight-year MLS veteran, returned to MLS after several seasons in Europe.  He signed with MLS in February and was selected by the Montreal Impact by allocation process before being traded to the Sounders for Mike Fucito and Lamar Neagle.  Johnson has played well with the Sounders.  He currently leads the team ...

Bryan Meredith, Sounders Backup Keeper, Is Having Success as a Starter

When Michael Gspurning went down with a hip injury, backup keeper Andrew Weber couldn’t become the regular starter because of a wrist injury.  Weber’s backup, Josh Ford, couldn’t either because of an ACL tear.  This left the Seattle Sounders with a 23-year-old who hadn’t played a regular season MLS match in his life: Bryan Meredith. Bryan Meredith was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on August 2, 1989.  He attended Monmouth University in his home state, where he served as captain and starting keeper of his team. His success as a Monmouth Hawk earned him various awards in the NSCAA, including being named to the 2008 NSCAA/Adidas North Atlantic Region First Team.  During his time in college, Meredith played briefly for the Central Jersey Spartans of the USL Premier Development League.In early 2011 Meredith was selected by the Sounders in the second round of the MLS Superdraft.  After a trial with the Sounders, he was released after Josh Ford earned the third goalkeeping position.  Meredith returned to the USL’s development league where he played with the Kitsap Pumas of Bremerton, Washington.After fourteen appearances with the ...