We’ve spent a lot of time in this space and throughout SoundersFC.com extolling the virtues of Obafemi Martins, so we'll go ahead and lead off this week’s edition of Go Figure with the latest numbers.
Heading into the Sounders’ matchup against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday (4 pm PT; JOEtv/This TV), Martins ranks first in MLS in shots-on-goal percentage (62.9), and second in goals-per-90-minutes among players who have appeared in at least 15 games this season (.80). He’s also second in scoring percentage (12 goals on 35 shots).
The Sounders (13-13-3, 42 points) snuck out of San Jose last weekend with a 1-1 draw thanks in large part to Martins, who scored his fifth goal in five games in the 82nd minute of the match. Seattle’s Andreas Ivanschitz, who was making his Sounders FC debut, played a set piece from the left side into the area and veteran defender Zach Scott directed a header toward the goal, which was quickly batted away by Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham.
Martins instinctually reacted to the deflection with an overhead kick into the back of the net for the goal, his 12th of the season.
Saturday’s 1-1 result at San Jose marked the first time the Sounders recorded a draw when Martins scores. Since he joined the Rave Green in 2013, Martins has led the club to a 27-1-1 record when he records a goal.
SEASONAL SIZZLES
The Sounders gained sole possession of fourth place in the Western Conference after Saturday’s draw in San Jose. The remaining two sides above the cutoff line – the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City – trail closely behind with 41 points. All four clubs in the conference outside of playoff positioning remain within seven points of Portland and Kansas City.
LAST WEEK’S LISTINGS
Saturday’s match marked the first time that Martins and fellow Designated Players Clint Dempsey and Nelson Valdez all appeared together in the Sounders’ starting XI. It was also the first-ever meeting between the two sides at Avaya Stadium, which opened earlier this year.
MATCHUP MASHUP
The Sounders take to the road this weekend to face the league-leading Vancouver Whitecaps (15-10-3, 48 points), who currently hold a one-point lead over FC Dallas and LA Galaxy in the Supporters’ Shield race and the Western Conference. The ‘Caps have allowed an MLS-low 28 goals during the 2015 season, the only club to average 1.00 goals allowed or fewer. With 40 goals scored, the club’s plus-12 goal differential ranks second in MLS.
The ‘Caps have won four consecutive home matches and five of their last seven league contests overall.
The Sounders are 4-5-4 all-time against the Whitecaps in MLS regular season action, including a 2-2-3 record in Vancouver. Saturday’s match will be the third and final regular season meeting between the two sides this season. Thus far, the visitors have won both prior contests, with Seattle winning 2-0 at BC Place in May and Vancouver defeating Seattle 3-0 in the Emerald City last month.
In addition to MLS Cup Playoff implications, Saturday's match offers Seattle an opportunity to capture its first piece of hardware this season. With a win or a draw, the Sounders would claim their first Cascadia Cup since 2011. A win for Vancouver would mean the Cup remains in British Columbia for the third consecutive year.
THROWBACK – May 16, 2015
Forward Chad Barrett paced the Sounders to a 2-0 victory with a first-half brace against the Whitecaps on May 16 at BC Place while playing in place of the injured Martins.
In the fifth minute, Dempsey sprung Barrett with a vaulted through ball from midfield, allowing the MLS veteran to earn his first goal of the 2015 season with a simple stab of his right foot. Barrett struck again before the stroke of halftime, this time with winger Marco Pappa providing the service. The forward made a bursting run into the area for the left-footed finish.
KEY TO THE GAME
Win the shot-stopping showdown. Saturday’s Cascadia clash features two of the best goalkeepers in MLS. Seattle’s Stefan Frei ranks second in MLS with a 76.0 percent save percentage and is tied for second with 92 saves. Vancouver’s David Ousted paces all MLS goalkeepers with 15 wins and ranks among the league leaders with 11 shutouts and a 1.00 goals-against average. Both keepers have posted shutouts this season against the other.
