The Sounders Women were handed their first loss of the season tonight in their game against the Pali Blues. Pali Blues came out strong, scoring two goals within the first 10 minutes of play. This would be the final score of the game as the Sounders Women played a solid second half, but were unable to land a ball in the back of the net.
The Sounders Women put in a strong performance as they topped the Los Angeles Strikers 4-0 this evening at Starfire. MVP honors undoubtedly go to hat-trick hero Veronica Perez. She opened the scoring in the first half with a lovely chip over the onrushing Strikers’ goalkeeper. Katie Deines then rose to head home a corner kick, giving the Sounders a 2-0 halftime lead before Perez would complete her trio of goals with two second half strikes. A combination of unpredictable wind and relentless Sounders pressure saw the Strikers play most of the game defending in their own half while Sounders’ goalkeepers Katie Hultin and Megan Kufeld combined for the shutout.
Starfire Sports & Steve Zakuani’s Kingdom Hope will inspire youth soccer players to dream big and give big at the 2012 XTREME Cup.
TUKWILA, Wash.—June 11, 2012—The XTREME Cup will see over 1,000 local youth soccer players come out to compete, but the event will touch their lives outside the blows of the whistle. This year, tournament teams will be inspired to live out their soccer dreams, while making opportunities for others to do the same.
“Starfire Sports and Kingdom Hope believe that soccer can change the lives of those who play it, and think it is important that anyone who has the desire to play should not be limited by means or lack of support,” said Teddy Mitalas, Starfire Sports Director of Business Development and Tournaments “We are excited to partner with an organization that is founded on these same principals, and can help us share those ideals with these players.”
Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Steve Zakuani founded Kingdom Hope in an effort to extend the support system that allowed him to believe in himself and achieve the dream he is living today. “It is my passion in life to help as many people as I can realize their dreams the way that I have, and inspire them to become great achievers in all areas of life,” Zakuani, said. “Partnering with Starfire Sports on the XTREME Cup will allow me to encourage local youth to realize their dreams as soccer players, but also help them grow as leaders and community members.”
During the tournament Zakuani will talk with tournament participants about his inspirational journey in the sport of soccer. Other members of the Sounders FC squad will join him to sign autographs and interact with attendees. Tournament teams will also work together, creating opportunities for others to actualize their soccer dreams, through fundraising efforts supporting Kingdom Hope’s programming and scholarship funds.
Through the event, Starfire Sports and Kingdom Hope plan to impact over one hundred and fifty kids next year by funding Kingdom Hope clinics and sponsorships.
Starfire will provide all teams that register for the XTREME Cup the tools to get players and their family members involved in the fundraising process. Every team that holds a fundraiser will receive recognition at the tournament, and prizes will be awarded to teams that raise the most. In addition to the team fundraising, Starfire Sports will donate $50 for every team that registers.
For registration and additional information about the XTREME Cup, visit www.starfiresports.com.
About Starfire Sports
Starfire Sports is a non-profit corporation delivering opportunities for every member of our community to enjoy the ultimate soccer experience. Starfire delivers diverse programming for youth and adults, knowledgeable and professional staff, and a safe and engaging environment for social interaction and community building. In addition, financial assistance programs, equipment donations and partnerships with other local and national non-profit organizations mean that all our community’s youth have access to world-class soccer facilities—regardless of economic background.
For more information, visit www.starfiresports.com
About Kingdom Hope
Kingdom Hope is an organization founded by Steve Zakuani with the purpose of helping and inspiring young people to pursue and achieve their goals through the sport of soccer.
This purpose will be accomplished through local soccer clinics, camps & tournaments through which Steve and other professional players will speak into the lives of these young people and bring alongside mentors to walk with and encourage them.
Kingdom Hope is also in the process of establishing a scholarship fund that will provide support to people pursuing higher education.
The culmination of Steve’s vision will be in the development of state-of-the-art facilities (first in England, then possibly in Africa and the U.S.), that will be a residential training facility committed to the holistic development of players (physical, educational & emotional) to bring them opportunities which they might not have access to on their own.
For more information, visit www.kingdom-hope.org
The Sounders Women played to a scoreless draw against the Vancouver Whitecap tonight at Starfire. This was the first draw of the season for the Sounders, bringing their record to 4-0-1. A few scoring opportunities presented themselves–most notably a strike from Stephanie Cox that rocketed off the post–but no goals resulted. Sounders GK, Katie Hultin’s excellent performance kept the Whitecaps from collecting a win.
Next Game: Sunday, June 17th at 4:00pm vs LA Strikers
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Tonight’s match started off a bit slow, but it sure didn’t stay that way. 
Heading into half time, the score sat at 0-0 as most of the play happened in the midfield, with few attacking opportunities for either team. But, the second half was a very different story.
The first goal of the game came from Osvaldo Alonso on a PK resulting from a Cal FC hand ball, which started an onslaught of goals as a total of five were scored in the span of 20 minutes. The 2nd goal in the series came from Montero on a Cordell Cato assist in the 58th minute. In the 65th, Andy Rose landed a ball in the back of the net. A question of passive offsides threatened to waive a 2nd Fredy Montero goal scored off a free kick, but it was counted. And, finally, Alonso’s 2nd goal of the game finished off the 5-0 score thanks to an assist from Alex Caskey in the 70th minute.
The Sounders will face the San Jose Earthquakes in the Quarterfinals of US Open Cup play. As of now, the match is set to take place at Kezar Stadium on June 26th.
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The Sounders Women faced the Colorado Rapids Women in their 2nd home match of the regular season. The Sounders started off very strong, knocking in two goals within the first 10 minutes of play. Morgan scored the first goal off an assist from Kara Kuttler, and logged an assist on the 2nd by Lyndsey Patterson. The 2-0 score held until the 86th minute, when Stephanie Cox launched a fantastic ball past the Rapids keeper for the final goal of the game.
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The Sounders suffered a reserve team match defeat to the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps tonight at Starfire with a final score of 2-1. Although the result was disappointing, the Sounders organization and fans can be excited since Steve Zakuani made a return to the pitch for a full 45 minutes. Zakuani’s familiar face was coupled with 5 players from the Sounders U-18 Academy team that got the call up for the match.
The teams traded possession and attacking opportunities in the first half, but Vancouver opened the scoring in the 26th minute when defender Carlyle Mitchell rose to head home a corner kick. The Sounders created dangerous chances but could not find the back of the net before halftime. The loss cannot be faulted to Sounders GK Andrew Weber as he made a slew of saves throughout the game including a 1 on 1 breakaway chance in the 59th minute. Despite his heroics, he was beaten once more in the 72nd minute off another set piece header by Mitchell—this time off a free kick. The lone Sounders goal came from the play of two academy players as midfielder Aaron Kovar got in behind the defense on the wing before placing a perfect cutback pass for forward Dom Dismuke to blast into the net in the 82nd minute. A late flurry of pressure from the Sounders came unrewarded as the final whistle blew.
The Sounders players could not hide some disappointment at the loss as they walked off the pitch, however, a healthy return of Zakuani combined with the successful play of some academy players must give all spectators a sense of hope for the future.
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Tonight at Starfire, the Sounders Women faced off against the Colorado Rush in their first home game of the regular season. All the big names took the field, with Hope Solo, Kate Deines, Kelli Smith, Lindsey Johnson, Stephanie Cox, Megan Rapinoe, M Winters, Veronica Perez, M Manthey, Sydney Leroux, and Alex Morgan making up the starting 11.
Throughout much of the first half, the Sounders held solid possession and launched several shots on goal, but the lone goal came from Megan Manthey on an assist from Sydney Leroux. A great save by Hope Solo in the 41st minute kept the Sounders lead going into halftime.
A goal from Veronica Perez in the 48th minute put the Sounders Women up 2-0 early in the 2nd half. Colorado brought the score to 2-1 in 61st minute, putting pressure on the Sounders to maintain their lead. The Sounders held their ground and the score remained 2-1 as the whistle sounded the end of the game.
Next Sounders Women Home Game: June 4th vs Colorado Rapids Women, 7:30pm at Starfire Sports
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The Sounders began their run for a 4th consecutive Open Cup championship tonight at Starfire. The action was
limited in the first half of the game, but a goal by Andy Rose in the final minutes put the Sounders up 1-0. Things picked up in the 2nd half, with a goal by Osvaldo Alonso 2 minutes in. Atlanta’s Reinaldo Navia scored in the 52nd minute, putting a potential upset in reach with the score sitting at 2-1, but Alex Caskey answered almost immediately with a goal in the 54th. 2 more goals–both by Man of the Match, Sammy Ochoa–clinched the win for the Sounders squad, who remain undefeated in Open Cup games played on Starfire pitch.
The Sounders will face Cal FC at Starfire next week in the next round of US Open Cup play. Cal FC ousted the Portland Timbers in a 1-0 extra time win to advance. Ticket information coming soon.
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Sounders Women and University of Washington Women faced off tonight in a hard fought battle. Heading into the 2nd half, both teams were scoreless. The action picked up in the 2nd half, as UW became the first team to score on the Sounders Women this season, but goals from Lyndsey Patterson, Veronica Perez and Alex Morgan clinched the win for the Sounders.
