Thierry Henry & the Designated Players – Sounders vs New York Red Bulls

23 06 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders by Gabi Campanario - 8/5/09 @ Barca Friendly

Dramatic matches.  Dramatic endings.  Sounders FC are born from the dramatic cloth of Rave-Green inception.  The short turnaround to Thursday’s home match at Qwest Field, means the next chance for Sounders faithful to support their club to the next level of dramatic inception is only a work-night away.

Intriguing home stadium changes will take place Thursday.  Same place, different name.  Qwest Field will officially be announced as CenturyLink Field.  How this name change will be written is up for debate.  I see C-Link.  Which gives upset traveling fans or disappointed home fans an easy ”clink” opportunity.  A non issue really, unless Timbers fans are ever handed three points from some sort of Buddle-Juninho-Hassli-esque miracle shot.  Sideline whisper:  How many more “wonder-strikes” do we give up before these magic goals are renamed Sounder-normal?  Back to the blog:  Using “clink” against the Sounders will make for an easy cheese-wiz first layer dis, but nothing that sticks too long.

Thursday marks the Sounders Front Office first attempt at opening up the entire stadium.  All upper-level seats will be uncovered for an enticing $15.00.  It should prove a good first test to see how fans long-awaited “more seats” request works with short notice.

Speaking of wonder strikes.  Ranking high among the Sounders growing list of dramatic finishes, is last Saturday’s 90th minute stoppage-time thriller against Toronto FC, by Fredy Montero.  Mauro Rosales, fouled at the top right side of Toronto’s penalty box gave way to the free kick.  Freddy Montero stepped up with strong intent and purpose.  His strike curled over Toronto’s wall and into the left corner of Stefan Frei‘s goal.  Barely out of reach of Frei’s diving fingers.  It was another winner for what is becoming standard Sounders fare.  Late match heroes making late match drama.

Reds

Toronto FC, "Reds"

One expected fan-thrill, and another Sounders first for Thursday’s match is already certain not to happen.  Thierry Henry, the former French National Team, and Arsenal superstar, playing for the Red Bulls of New York, was issued a red card in the 90th minute of his match against the Portland Timbers last Sunday.  Any attending fans disappointed by his absence, will likely be thrilled by the Sounders desire to play for no fewer than all three points for the win.  New York will be ready to irritate and frustrate Seattle’s attempt to score early and often.  Star power aside, the importance of the match wont be lost on the Sounders players.

Eric Hassli, proved Seattle is a good place for aging French strikers to score dramatic goals.  With Henry out, a pair of french-kissed strikes are completely out of the question.  That is unless Sebastian LeToux is holding an ace in his pocket for when Philadelphia comes to clink one in on Sounders at C-Link later on in colder October.

The Sounders victorious match last week with Toronto FC completed the first half of this 34 match season with a decent 6-win, 4-loss, 7-draw record.  The 25 points have the Sounders sitting third in the Western Conference.  With most teams close behind and holding games in hand, a string of wins could launch Sounders FC into a successful second half season playoff push.  This Sunday is another short home match turn around to face visiting New England Revolution.

The Sounders continue to make lineup adjustments searching for a better winning touch.  Fredy Montero, was given an active “Free-Roam” role last week.  Which could prove valuable against New York.  Michael Fucito, hitting post last week, and being close to striking net so often all season, means he is due to taste joy. Montero, regaining confidence with his dramatic free kick also means he will be a marked man.  That is a good thing for Sounders FC.  With Fredy heavily marked again, Fucito’s speed combined with Mauro Rosales’s crosses and technical ability to get into dangerous positions, as well as create space for other players to get into dangerous positions, means opportunities for either Fucito speed, or Montero poise are likely elements to ignite 40,000 plus into celebration.

New York Red Bulls

Thierry Henry can come to Seattle riding the Red Bull bench, but he can’t come to Seattle without at least a little DP (Designated Player) conversation.  Should your Major League Soccer team have one?  If so, how much should your club spend?  (See Derek Ciapala’s piece on AS Roma’s Francesco Totti possibly coming to the LA Galaxy this season).  The NASL filled itself with aging, and overpaid stars and eventually folded.  Major League Soccer’s slow expansion of Designated Players has proven safer and smarter.  Some teams do not yet have a Designated Player.

Would Seattle have sold out their first season without Freddie Ljungberg?  Possibly not.  On the other hand, interest has seen a ground swell beyond famous players.  Passion and participation in soccer is common and longstanding throughout the Northwest.  Seattle was Broadway for US Soccer before US Soccer had found Broadway.  This Thursday’s stadium-wide opening would have happened on its own.

As fun as Ljungberg was at the start, his easy irritability was not easily adaptable for fans.  Halfway into his second season was a good time for team and player to part ways.  Management brought in Blaise Nkufo, fresh from his Swiss National team appearance in the 2010 World Cup.  It was a good half season and he delivered a solid playoff boost for the club.  But being a punchbag to absorb Montero’s physical punishment was not a role he desired.  So one hour before this 2011 season started he and the club also parted ways.

During the off-season, Montero was promoted to DP status.  Like any athlete or team making the cover of Sports Illustrated, it has not helped Montero’s productivity.  Before his free-kick game-winner last weekend, Montero had scored only two goals.  Some might call that unproductive, and question the Front Office spending.  Yet any team with a DP has a list of curiosities with its stars no different from the Sounders.  In LA’s case, Beckham has arguably a longer list.

Scoring goals is an expensive habit.  Sporting diamonds.  24 carat strikes, like Eric Hassli’s are worth a lifetime to some player reputations.  That goal will be a goal of the year candidate.  (See it here on my recent post)  Spending spectacular Designated Player money is sometimes necessary to acquire a player like Hassli.

Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC - 2009 & 2010 US Open Cup Champions

Is it more important for teams to find players to entertain, put butts-in-seats, and make us deliriously but joyfully buy their kit?  No single right answer exists.  In a perfect world, Roger Levesque would posses Ruud Van Nistelrooy goal poaching skill, and a one club career as long as Paul Scholes, of Manchester United.  Reality is, we have to learn to cheer on Nate Jaqua.  Starter or sub, lifting his spirit to put the ball into the net this Thursday is our job as fans.

Money can’t buy everything, but it does get good entertainment.  Entertainment doesn’t last a lifetime.  Building fan reputation and players that believe in that reputation, costs nothing and lasts forever.  At the end of the day, Sounders General Manager, Adrian Hanaueer is looking for the next soccer guy to sing “Spectacular, Spectacular”.  He is also looking for Ruud Van Levesque.  He has an unenviable task, but also has a knack for finding players, like Osvaldo Alonso, John Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez, Alvaro Fernandez, and Mauro Rosales.

I believe as fans we set the precedent. We build the reputations and passionate spirit. The Front Office finds the role pieces to fulfill the object of our passion.  Occasionally a star will fit.  But if the money to bring talent is too high or the talent is too high above the club, then there are always ways of developing success outside of Designated Players.

© 2011 by Ryan Sales – Sales on Sounders

Contributions:  Fans Look:  Could AS Roma striker sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy?  By, Derek Ciapala, June 17, 2011


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Categories : The Full 90

The Battle For New York: Seattle Sounders FC v New York Red Bulls

20 03 2011

 

Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders 'til I die - WIN NOW!

After losing MLS First Kick last Tuesday, 1-0 to LA Galaxy, a good Sounders friend said, “hey, 33 more matches to go, with a total possible of 99 points.  Up Sounders”.  One thing Seattle fans are always good for is seeing sunny possibilities from dreary results.  When your NFL team is the first to have a losing record in winning its division, then knocks out the defending Super Bowl champions, it’s fair to say you live someplace where people work hard to find the emerald on a cloudy day.  The 1995 Mariners slogan “Refuse to Lose” seems technologically, if not socially engineered into our Pacific Northwest makeup.  Up Sounders indeed!

On to Harrison, New Jersey.

Saturday, March 19th, not even one week into the new MLS season and we are off to the Big Apple for the New York Red Bulls home opener.  Thiery Henry, the French superstar and Arsenal icon will be starting his first full MLS season.  He wears a bullseye on him larger than the one Sounders FC wears as a franchise.  if he fails, then who else would come to MLS from abroad?  It may not be as harsh as that, but to US soccer starved faithful, and a surrounding critical sports culture it feels that way.  More people say they would watch MLS if there were more good stars.  There are few names that carry the iconic wight of Henry.  The Sounders just faced two others, with Beckham and Donovan, in last Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to LA.  The Red Bulls feel pressure to “Win Now” same as Sounders FC.  With their home secure in Harrison, New Jersey and second season in their beautiful new soccer only stadium, they have a need to win now.  Especially since Major League Soccer has made it clear they want the 20th MLS club, after #19 Montreal in 2012, to be the former NASL, New York Cosmos.  A championship would help carve out their longtime niche, in that global supermarket sports city.  Big Apple teams flow by the dozens, so a golden season would be delicious.

Oh come on, I had to.  You know you’re laughing.  You’d have done the same.  I mean this isn’t the New York Times.  Give me that one.

OK, apple puns aside, what can be said about an early season match like this?  Blaise Nkufo is gone!  Barely an hour prior to the

New York Cosmos

Former NASL giant, New York Cosmos

home opener vs LA, the Sounders and Blaise Nkufo parted ways.  How his DP (Designated Player) status equates to value is not fully known yet.  Mauro Rosales, the best Sounders last name yet, was picked up from Argentina last week.  He was wearing #10 in practice, meaning his skill is clearly on par with current starters.  When Sigi brings him in he will most likely play a central attacking midfielder role helping to set up strikers and wingers for more goals.  His bio includes time on classic Dutch side, Ajax, and recently with Argentina’s, River Plate.  He was also part of the Argentina Olympic Team in 2004.

Preseason injuries to Nate Jaqua, Brad Evans, and Michael Fucito continue to linger.  So the departure of Nkufo and addition of Rosales adds more questions than answers.  Rosales did trial with Sounders FC during preseason, but has little game experience with them.

What I see from this still young, third year team, is a sense of not being shaken.  They want goals bad, but they haven’t lost their poise. After literally absorbing Tuesday’s drenched loss, I watched the match again.  Seattle held better possession, attacked more, created more chances and outshot LA.  The loss was more about missing close chances than being outplayed.  The goal

New York Red Bulls

Sounders gave up to Juninho was defendable.  Slow reaction.  An issue?  Yes.  It would have been negated had, O’Brien White finished off his sitter, (a sure goal) or Eric Friberg hit the inside of the goal post instead of the outside.  Those shots will come. Freddy Montero was unlucky as Josh Saunders stole his goal with the save of the match.  Josh Saunders, LA’s replacement keeper ended up the rightful “man of the match”.

Continuing to attack in the manner they did Tuesday and create more of the same opportunistic chances, while defensively closing down better may give Sounders FC a surprise chance to overtake New York in its home opener.  Time will tell how the season plays out.  Early season challenges mount.  Hopefully Sounders FC meets these challenges head on, just like 36,000 rain-soaked fans did on opening night.  Seeing the proud emerald through the foggy haze is what this city is good at.  Hopefully Sounders FC will continue to represent.


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Categories : The Full 90

Put Away Your Vuvuzela, It’s MLS Time

27 06 2010

Round 14 vs Philadelphia Union

Have you had enough vuvuzela?  And what’s up with the dancing Jabulani ball?  How do you keep yourself together during all the World Cup hoopla?  One sure way to keep focus is when the Sounders FC take the pitch Sunday against the Philadelphia Union for their maiden match at their new home, PPL Park, in Chester, PA.  As Major League Soccer recovers from its two-week World Cup fever, the crazy Jabulani will not leave us.  Apparently we better get used to its extreme quirkiness.  Major League Soccer has a deal with Adidas to use it ALL season.

In addition to celebrating World Cup fever, Major League Soccer opens a second soccer specific stadium this year.  The Sunday match will played at Philadelphia Unions new soccer specific stadium, PPL Park.  The Union’s first two matches were held at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.  The New York Red Bulls opened Red Bull Arena in March.  Soccer is definitely on the upward move in the US, with growing numbers of new US soccer stadiums, a 19th expansion team (Montreal Impact – 2012), and a successful run in the World Cup.  Fan support may reach new highs for all MLS clubs by the end of this season.  Our US National Team players who are not already in Europe, will be soon.  Additionally with our new found levels of success and recognition is the great news that players you and I have heard about from around the World Cup are coming our way.  Look no further than Seattle.  Blaise Nkufo, from Switzerland, made the pass that led to the goal defeating Spain in a World Cup opening round shock upset.  Nkufo is on his way here.  He’ll draw both national and international attention, which not only places attention on Seattle, but more importantly soccer in America.

Zolos

For the Sounders, the World Cup was an injury recovery break.  An opportunity to recharge and focus on a difficult coming schedule.  Including the defense of the US Open Cup which starts Wednesday in a rematch of last years thrilling 2-1 US Open Cup victory over Portland on their home pitch at PGE Park.  Not to be forgotten, is the Sounders first ever CONCACAF Champions League match.  First up, is a rematch of Sounders opening day 2-nil victory over Philadelphia Union.

Watching Michael Bradley brilliantly poke in the equalizing goal against Slovenia, and of course Landon Donovan’s, Prayer in Pretoria, the winning goal over Algeria, set the table for what is missing in Sounders matches.  Hard fought, sweat to the end, fight for everything, gruelingly tough, leave it ALL on the table GOALS!  More people in the US than ever before are aware of what Sounders fans already know.  It is astonishingly, even punishingly emotional to cheer your team in hope and prayer for one goal to win it all.  Do you remember Round 4 vs Kansas City, The Fucito Finish? That was not a World Cup victory, nor a MLS Championship, not even a playoff match.  It was simply an early regular season match that finished with a goal that felt like the Sounders won the Milky Way Galaxy Champions Cup of the Universe.  A parade with Michael Fucito leading the team through the solar system was planned for the next day.  It may not have been quite that big, but it was water cooler fab-jab, for even the casual Sounders fan on Monday.  Everyone knows the emotional power of what soccer is capable of.  Everyone knows you never watch alone. It is the beautiful game.  Brutal on mind and spirit, divine bliss in its glorious release of victory as the goal net swells then settles the obsessive ball.  Every game for the rest of the Sounders season will feel like the joy in drawing with England, the anguish of a refs stolen victory over Slovenia, the frustration in not beating Algeria after 90 minutes, or the elation and amazement at suddenly finding a rabbit in the hat of extra time.

The Gunners - Est. 1886

There is a lot at stake in this back from the break, mid-season match.  It is a rematch of the Sounders opening round 2-nil victory.  A game where Union’s manager, Peter Nowak claimed Ljungberg embellished his falls.  Only to realize, Ljungberg did not take Nowak’s words lying down.  The bruise on his lower spine served as proof.  Nonetheless, Union supporters, Sons of Ben will send vociferous jeers of disapproval Ljungberg’s way every time he touches the ball.  Here is what I hope no one tells any Union supporter before the match, that is exactly what Ljungberg thrives on.  He played for Arsenal of the English Premiere League.  He heard much worse years ago at White Heart Lane, when traveling with Arsenal to bitter rival Tottenham Hotspur.  The Sons of Ben are in season one, so their “shock and awe” chants are not

What to look for?

Enjoy the beautiful game’s new-found rise in attention in the States.  What is wonderful about soccer is its relatively short span compared to most other American viewed sporting affairs.  Take in the intensity, sweat out the result, then enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  I’ll be back after the game and for the rest of the season, with the story of the game.  The ongoing story of the Sounders regular season, US Open Cup defense, and inaugural voyage into CONCACAF where the door to being the number one club in the world exists.

Thank you ALL for following my story.  Especially to all the ongoing readers and wonderful addition of new readers in the last two weeks.


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Categories : 2010

Stop The Revolution

5 06 2010

Before launching into round 12 vs New England Revolution, I would like to recognize and promote North Star Fine Coffee.   Who sponsor the Sounders. I was fortunate to meet their owner Bryan-David Scott after the San Jose Earthquakes match.  It was a wonderful experience as a passionate Sounders FC fan to meet and talk with another passionate fan who happens to own a company that creates a coffee specifically with the Sounders in mind.   The blend North Star Fine Coffee has created is, Kick Coffee and features the Sounders badge on the front.   They are looking to bring this coffee to the March to the Match and eventually out to many local youth leagues.  I’m taking time to support them because as fans themselves, they are the best example I’ve found of what the Sounders FC has been about since their start.  From ownership to fans, we stand for a unique partnership with sport, community and business.  The bond promotes Seattle, the Sounders, and all our supporters as the Soccer Capitol of America.  The more businesses that follow North Star’s lead, the more well established soccer will become here and all over the US.   This advertisement is posted because Sales on Sounders believes in the people and the company who make Kick Coffee.   The only currency exchanged in posting this ad is shared passion and an appreciation that comes from good conversation with good people.  I’ve had a tremendously enjoyable time talking with Bryan and hope every Sounders fan has the same opportunity.

Curtains up.  Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen for joining me for Round 12 vs the New England Revolution.  There are two mighty games until Major League Soccer takes a respectful bow to this Summers center stage at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

New England Revolution

Similar to the Earthquakes and Rapids, the Revolution are another of the original 10 clubs formed for the inaugural Major League Soccer season in 1996.  Their trophy case is a bit bare compared to other inaugural teams.  They hoisted the US Open Cup in 2007.  Their logo and branding are not responsible for their mostly empty shelves, but the team logo and badge need a make-over and face-lift.  Image is a small, if not insignificant aspect of the game, but it should say something about a team and its sport. Their badge looks more like a crayon drawn political poster than anything representing a soccer club.

Fortunately, whatever they lack in look and feel with their badge they make up for in their coach.   What endears me to this team is coach, Steve Nicol.  Nicol played for one of my beloved teams, Liverpool FC from 1981 – 1995.  He also played for the Scottish National team from 1984 – 1992 earning 27 caps.  He played for some fantastic Liverpool squads, winning the English League 5 times, FA Cup (like US Open Cup) 3 times, and 1 European title.  Additionally to coaching he has been an ESPN Analyst.  He was featured on ESPN during halftime analysis of English Premier League matches during the 2009-2010 season.  Listen to him once and you likely find yourself converted like me. It’s partly due to my attraction to his accent.  More than a good voice his clarity in how to simply but effectively execute the game makes it easy to see why anyone would be a soccer fan.  It is a testimonial to Nicol, that players stay loyal to him.  Their star and captain, Shalrie Joseph would have surely left for a more successful club by now if not for Steve Nicol.

Shalrie Joseph is a stud.  He plays with enormous intensity and strength.  Not matched in MLS in my opinion.  He is 6′ 3″ with footwork like he’s 5′ 8″.  His arching passes look more like Frank Lampard of Chelsea, than anyone in MLS.  Watch Lampard face USA in the June 12, World Cup match.  The ball sweetly arcs over defenders and lands at the receiving players feet.  He plays ridiculous numbers of roles per match.  With his height and strength he plays a central striker up front, rolls out to left-wing, tracks back for central and wide defensive coverage, helps organize the midfield to push forward, and sets the table for other players to score.  Yah, I could write that in a less run-on manner but that is not how Shalrie plays.  He doesn’t stop his run-on role until the ref raises his hand and blows his whistle.  I don’t want him to win, but I don’t mind watching him as closely as any of the Sounders.

Sounder 'til I die

Like Sounders FC, New England Revolution has been affected by injuries.  Shalrie is coming back from one  He’s only beginning to regain full match form.

How do you stop a player like Sharie?  Not easily.  He will require the full attention of Seattle’s defense.  Here is my blog-chair coaches take.  Shalrie will get winded.  Likely requiring a 70-75th minute sub.  If the Sounders run him down that will Solidify Coach Nicol’s decision to give Shalrie a late game rest.  At full strength if you give him 5 yards of space he’s like any top NFL receiver with enough room to catch, juke, and break for the end zone.  Put your body right up into his.  Ask him to dance.  Man-up to him.  He may run over you, but it will remind him you are here to dance with him all night.  Get on him right when he receives a pass.  It will get you into his head.  Give him one moment in a game, and that moment likely turns into a series of passes that lead to one game losing goal.

Post Match

One of the Sounders more unexpected players scored a goal last night.  Leo Gonzalez, worked his way up field, inside the top-left of the Revoltion penalty area.  He drilling a glorious, curling, left footed shot that veered around the Revolutions back-up Keeper Steve Shuttleworth, for a 5th minute goal.  Leo Gonzalez, (Gonzo) is the Sounders regular starting Left-back, from Costa Rica.  He came to the Sounders last year and has played on the Costa Rica National Team.  The spectacular early goal set the attacking tone of the match earning him, Man of the Match honor.  Holding up other teams forwards and midfielders from attacking their right flank is his usual job.  He’s one of the best in the MLS at doing it.  For him to have a goal and assist in the same game is all sweet cream.  He added an assist on Montero’s third goal.

Coming into last night’s match Sounders were 1W-4L-1D in their last 6 games.  Goals felt like nostalgic memories in a season of forgotten dreams.  Leo woke things up early, electrifying 36,000, and maybe, just maybe reminded the team a potential champion lives and breathes within this squad.

Sounders FC have been difficult to write about the last few weeks.  I’ll start with a reasonably sensible pre-match overview.  For the majority of each match they play the way you think they will.  Then comes the furiously frustrating and only momentary nap-time.  In a seemingly insignificant instant, one goal is in, and the complexion of the game turns against them.  Teams end up out shot, out played, and victorious.  The stats have not added up.  Last night, Leo may have turned it all around on one wonder strike.

Leo Gonzalez – 5th minute strike v NE Revs 6-5-10

Tale of the Mohawk

The greatest soccer players, like Zinedine Zidane, are all a little, you know, crazy in the head.  They have to be.  In terms of bodily-kinestetic intelligence they work the soccer pitch at an unmeasurable IQ.  What seems crazy to us, is part of their secret language of sanity on the pitch.  The best way to see it is to smile in wonderment as a spectator, and enjoy.  Freddie Ljungberg, is one of those players.  He helped Arsenal win two Premier League titles, three FA Cups (similar to US Open Cup), and was the English Premiere League MVP in 2002. During one of his hot goal scoring streaks for Arsenal he sported a red mohawk.  Not his sexiest look but added drama to his on-pitch attitude and flare.  The last few games many critics and fans alike have complained about his complaining too much.  He throws his hands in the air at Refs when he doesn’t get calls his way.  So, at age 33, on a beautiful June evening in Seattle, Ljungberg sported a mohawk.  He came out wound up, flying all over the field, making everything go Seattle’s way.  In the second half, ahead 3-nil, he started throwing a tizzie.  He even threw his water bottle at his own bench, cutting Sigi Schmid’s arm.  He kept up appearances with the Ref and let the world know he wasn’t happy.  He also set the table for no fewer than two more goals that did not get finished.  As I saw it, he was the player of the match.  He was the best player in MLS last night.  He was the sexy stud in a mohawk.  The problem, the real serious problem here, is whether he should be allowed to cut his hair, or be required to sport it as long as Sounders win.  The complaining, arm waiving, and mohawk created a Sounder perfect 3-nil storm.  CAW, or complaining arm waiving, and mohawk are simply 3 means to identifying Ljungberg’s on-pitch intelligence.  He is footballer, I am spectator.  In him is champion.  I hope it’s Sounders before I die.

Freddie (Mohawk) Ljungberg v NE Revs - 6-5-10

Game Summary:

Goal – 5th minute – Leo Gonzalez, assisted by Steve Zakuani
Goal – 24th minute – Steve Zakuani, assisted by Brad Evans & Freddie Montero
Goal – 42nd minute – Fredy Montero, assisted by Pat Noonan & Leo Gonzalez


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Categories : 2010

Preseason: Portland Timbers v Sounders FC

11 03 2010

Still preseason?

Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg have both referred to this preseason as longer than most in their careers. At Arsenal, Ljungberg said they would often prepare for the season in three weeks. For a second year franchise in the MLS the decision may prove to be good. For some of the veterans it may become a more grueling hull than in past seasons in their careers. For me I’m going Rave Green silly in the head and “shiver with antici . . . pation.” Portland is in town tomorrow for a preseason match, but my racing heart says as a supporter it is anything but a preseason match.

Now for something completely bloggingly different.

Just to assure you that the above quote, “shiver with antici . . . pation” was an intended velveeta cheese blog moment, let me take this to a whole new level. Name the character and movie that quote comes from and I will draw a name on March 25th, the Sounders FC opening season match v Philadelphia Union. One attempt per person, and I’ll draw one name from all the correct answers. I’ll send something in the festive Rave Green of Sounders FC. Better than “Bluest Skies in Seattle” lyrics, I promise.

Now back to our regularly unscheduled blog . . .

The NFL has a glorious phrase “any given Sunday”. It is rock solid truth and captures everything you could imagine or expect to see from an NFL game every time you turn one on. So perfect is the catch phrase that a good football movie was made with the phrase as the title. I have yet to find a soccer specific quote that encapsulates how impossibly intense and wildly fun a soccer match is. Until I find that gem to promote the game the way the NFL does, I am relegated to the use of examples. I have one such recent example. On March 10th, 2010, Olympique Lyonais (Lyon) of France visited Real Madrid, “Galacticos” of Spain. Real Madrid’s nick name is “Galacticos” for their over 200 million spent in last summers transfer window. The galactic spending spree was to acquire the kind of players that crush teams like Lyon 3-0. On March 10th, the two teams met for the second leg of a home-home round of 16, aggregate goal match. Leg one, won by Lyon at home 1-0 was not too amazing, because Lyon play well at home in European matches. The second leg in Madrid at the Bernabeu, well no way. That would be like the Seahawks winning an NFC championship game in Texas at the Cowboy’s new stadium during a season where the cowboys have 10 pro bowlers, league MVP, rookie of the year, and every imaginable Los Vegas pick to win the Superbowl. Is that clear enough? The bottom line, Lyon is out and Madrid moves on. The last time the French visited Spain and took home something that rightfully belonged to the Spanish, America was an even younger country. It’s not so much “any given Sunday” as it is “excuse me, but no you don’t.” As expected, the “Galacticos” poster boy, international stand out, model, and simply one of the best, Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 6th minute to even the aggregate score 1-1. Madrid’s plan: Get the early equalizer, then add one more before half, two more after the break, and boom-zop Madrid celebrate crushing Lyon 4-1. Soccer is desperately more insane than that. Gonzalo Higuain, another brilliant Madrid striker and Argentine national had the open net to grab that 2nd first half goal I mentioned. He is an exquisitely brilliant striker, not unlike the kind of player Reggie Miller was for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. The pace on the ball as he struck for net when the ball left his foot was perfect, but the ridiculously imperfect roundness of the ball and painful aggravation of the perfect game rolled the ball just wide of the post. Madrid’s easy crush of Lyon at home in the Bernabeu would never again look so wide open. So, the wrenching hold of soccer gods took hold of the game clock, and after Cristiano’s expected 6 minute equalizer . . . nothing really happened at all.

You’ve heard of Cristiano Ronaldo. You’ve at least seen highlights of him, and seen his handsome pictures dressed in exquisite European suits advertising hollywood swag. You’ve seen highlights of Higuain, because you’ve heard of Real Madrid, and he’s a fixture there. But unless you are an Olympique Lyonais supporter you have not heard of Miralem Pjanic. I am a fan of Lyon and when Juninho and Fred were there I could name the starting eleven. I think I could only do 4 now. I have not heard of Miralem Pjanic, but I know that in Lyon he is eating free at all the restaurants and toasted as their hero. In the 75th minute, he shot a dagger through the heart of every Madridista. The game ended 1-1, but the two-leg aggregate score was 2-1 Lyon. The draw for Madrid was a loss. The European Championship game is in their home at their Bernabeu, but neither team will belong there.

Senecca Wallace, (I know he’s in Cleveland now) gets brought on in the 4th quarter to replace an injured Hasselbeck in my imaginary Seahawks v Cowboys NFC Championship. He throws a touchdown in the back of the endzone with 8 minutes left to play. Somehow the defense holds on. You’d barely believe that possible, but you’ve seen New England, New York (Jets & Giants), St Louis, and even Pittsburgh against Dallas win those type of Superbowls. So, occasionally in your calm but overheated heart, you know, “any given Sunday” your team can win this game, because hey, it has happened before. Soccer is a little more manic. It is amazing how often teams that are so much better only win 1-0 or worse, they draw 1-1. But the soccer seasons are longer. So, there are more underdog upsets, but there is also little movement year in and year out of who the top 3 or 4 teams are in each European league.

Tomorrow when the Sounders FC face the Portland Timbers in the first ever preseason Community Shield match it will feel intensely like an any given Thursday match. The proceeds of the match go to charity, but the recognition ceremony and photo session for the winning team to hold up the shield at end of the match adds a little edginess. It’s only a preseason match, I know, I keep stating it a lot. The thing is in this little soccer hot bed corner of the US, and slowly getting recognized in the world of soccer, the Sounders FC are trying to be Young Madrid. While Portland is joining MLS next year, so tomorrow they would be fantastically thrilled to be Young Lyon.

That is why I’m up late, heart racing, more nervous and excited for any preseason game for any sport that I can remember. “I’m Sounders ’til I die”. I just hope not tomorrow.


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Categories : 2010


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