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Capsule preview: Rochester at Seattle

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Rochester Raging Rhinos at Sounders

What: A-League soccer match

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.

Where: Seahawks Stadium

Records: Rochester 8-2-1, 25 points, 2nd place in Eastern Conference; Sounders 5-4-1, 16 points, tied for 3rd with Vancouver in the Western Conference.

Raging Rhinos @ Sounders 7 tonight at Seahawks Stadium Radio: KKNW (1150 AM), KXPA (1540 AM). Records: Rochester 8-2-1, 25 points, second in the Eastern Conference; Sounders 5-4-1, 16 points, tied for third with Vancouver in the West. Notes: Three-time A-League champion Rochester travels to Seattle for the first time since a 1-0 loss on July 8, 2000, at Memorial Stadium. The two franchises last met on Aug. 11, 2001, in Rochester, N.Y., with the Raging Rhinos winning 2-1. ... The Sounders lead the all-time series with the Raging Rhinos 5-3-0, thanks to four wins in five meetings in 1996. ... Rochester is coming off a 2-1 win in Portland on Thursday, with forward Doug Miller tallying the game-winning goal during stoppage time. ... Rochester goalkeeper Theodosis Zagar is tied for the league lead in wins (eight) and is third in shutouts (five) and goals-against average (0.59). ... Seattle keeper Preston Burpo ranks third in the league in saves (50) and sixth in GAA (0.96). ... Seattle is 3-1-1 at home this season. Rochester is 3-1-1 on the road. ... This is one of just two home matches for the Sounders in their next seven. The only other home match in that streak is July 7 against Edmonton.

Radio: KKNW (1150 AM), KXPA (1540 AM).

Notes: This match will be the biggest test of the young season for Seattle. Tradition-rich Rochester, the lone three-time A-League champion and with one of the league's top payrolls, travels to Seattle for the first time since a 1-0 loss on July 8, 2000 at Memorial Stadium. It's the first meeting of the two franchises since the Raging Rhinos scored a 2-1 decision on Aug. 11, 2001 in Rochester.

The Raging Rhinos won A-League crowns in 1998, 2000 and 2001 and also reached the championship in '96 and '99. ... The Sounders beat Rochester 2-0 in Seattle to claim in the 1996 A-League title for back-to-back championships. ... The Sounders lead the all-time series with the Raging Rhinos 5-3-0 thanks four wins in five meetings in 1996. ... Rochester comes off a 2-1 win in Portland on Thursday as F Doug Miller tallied the game-winning goal during stoppage time in the 90th minute.

The Raging Rhinos sport a tough forward combination in free-agent signee Corey Woolfolk and Miller. Woolfolk, who played with the A-League's Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2003, leads Rochester with 15 points on seven goals and one assist for a tie for third in league scoring. Miller, an A-League first-team all-star in 2003, has three goals so far in 2004. ... F Welton leads the Sounders in scoring with 10 points on five goals, ranking tied for 10th in the league scoring race. Welton has all five goals in the last seven matches with four being game-winners.

Sounders D Danny Jackson was named to the A-League Team of the Week for last week's performance. Jackson played his usual tough defense and scored his first goal as a Sounder in a 2-1 loss to Minnesota on June 12. ... Rochester GK Theodosis Zagar is tied for the league lead in wins (8) and is third in both shutouts (5) and goals-against average (0.59).

Seattle GK Preston Burpo ranks third in the league in saves (50) and sixth in goals-against average (0.96). ... Seattle is 3-1-1 at home this season. Rochester is 3-1-1 on the road this season. ... The Sounders play just two of their next seven matches at home. The only other home match during that streak is on July 7 against the Edmonton Aviators.

Matt Massey

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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