Much ado about Mullan; Zach Scott Steels Spotlight

20 04 2012

Brian Mullan received Seattle’s most sporting welcome for visiting the Sounders at CenturyLink last Saturday. He was given a proper loud greeting.  The kind of traditional Seattle sports greeting reserved by fans of the Seahawks 12th Man, Mariners fans at Safeco, and Sounders Emerald City Supporters for players who’ve become villans of Supersonic City.

Who is Clay Bennett, and who are the Oklahoma City Thunder?  For the “Daily Double”, Alex?

There was a large media build up to Mullan’s visit.  Yet for all the hype, there wasn’t much to report between Seattle’s fans and Mullan.  Except noise.  It wasn’t a situation you would characterize as, “much ado about nothing”.  But the boo-jeering of Mullan remained tame.  Even expected.

From player introductions, to every touch of the ball, until exiting the pitch, Brian Mullan was greeted and jeered with boos for his slide tackle last April, that broke Steve Zakuani's right leg, nearly ending his career.

Mullan strolled into Seattle from the rocky mountains of Commerce City, Colorado. Home of the Rapids.  From the edge of town to every turn of the street he was reminded of the sad and heavy-handed incident with Zakuani a year ago.  Fans came, fans saw, and fans booed.  There were no surprises.

America’s western ethos is alive and true in Major League Soccer.  At least when it comes to the Rave Green supporters of Seattle.

How the match was won. Heroes and villans.

Seattle’s fans did what good sporting fans are supposed to do.  From lineup introductions for the purple-clad visitors from Colorado, fans picked out the one true villan.  Brian Mullan was given more than a traditional “who?”, during player introductions.  ”Who?”, is a pre-match jeer for visiting soccer players as their names are announced.  For Brian Mullan, the usual “who?” was followed by a bravado-chorus of “boo”.  That greeting echoed the entire match whenever Mullan touched the ball.

Brian Mullan had other plans.  In the 33rd minute Omar Cummings shot a solid strike at Seattle’s goal.  The ball deflected off Sounders’ Keeper, Michael Gspurning’s hands. Mullan swooped in from his right-wing post and worked his way into the center of the Sounders 6-yard box.  Seeing the deflection, he raced forward, knocking the loose ball into the net.

Alex Rodriquez was almost set free.  For an instant, Seattle’s most disliked sporting-villan appeared to be released.  This vision was quickly vanquished by the assistant referee who flagged the play offside.

In all fairness to Mullan, he was one of the more positive, forward moving playmakers on the Rapids during the match.

In the end, it was one of the more unlikely Sounders who stepped forward into the role of hero.   Zach Scott turned a 63rd minute corner from fellow newcomer, Alex Caskey into the far corner of Colorado’s net.  Scott’s snap-flick header, came from Caskey’s left-sided corner. As the ball curled in to the box, Scott escaped his defensive marker.  Creating a seam of space to run towards the near post and meet the ball before it could be whipped away by Colorado’s defensive grinders.

The game winner was Scott’s first goal in Major League Soccer.  The hard working, and longtime Sounders veteran defender had coach, Sigi Schmid contemplating after the match if any Sounder would be more unlikely to score.  ”Michael Gspurning.  (Sounders Goalkeeper)  I think he’d probably be a little more unlikely”.

Scott started playing for the Sounders in 2002 before they were promoted to MLS in 2009 from their A-League/USL-1 days.  Teammate Roger Levesque, and Assistant Coach, Brian Schmetzer are the other two standouts from the clubs older era.

Zach Scott’s “Man of the Match” reward was shared with longtime fans.  Sending 38,000 riding home into the happy sunset.

You can also find my work at SeattlePI.com in The Seattle Sounders Fan Blog section.

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales

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No More Mulling over Mullan – Rapids at Sounders

13 04 2012

Friday, April 22nd, 2011 is a date forever stitched into Sounders players, owners, and fans memories.

The Sounders won that night.  Only their second win of the 2011 season vs Colorado Rapids, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.  The 1-nil, clean-sheet road victory against the 2010 defending MLS Cup Champions was not the memory it should have been.

A third minute slide tackle from Brian Mullan broke Steve Zakuani’s leg.  It was that awful image and sound that stuck in everyone’s memory.  Win aside, every Sounders heart-felt numb, and every gut sickeningly hallowed.

Saturday, at CenturyLink Field, Brian Mullan makes his first visit to Seattle since that tackle. There is precedent for how Seattle sports fans respond to moments like Mullan’s return.  (see Alex Rodriquez)  Seattle fans are never quiet.  And we won’t be for Mullan.  To expect less, whether in agreement or not would be ignorance.  What noise doesn’t replace is that there isn’t one Sounders fan who doesn’t want meaningful closure.  A quality match about soccer is much preferred to one about jeering.

Sounders fans are smart.  There will be Mullan directed noise tantamount to brining down Jericho’s walls.  There will also be the ECS to lead an innovative way to direct the message without it being the match-day storyline.

What started as a routine defensive recovery went horribly wrong.

Possibly feeling he had been wrongfully nudged off the ball by Zakuani, Brian Mullan quickly took after Zakuani who was moving the ball forward along his usual left-wing alley to clear the Sounders defensive end.  Mullan slid to ground to clear the ball from Zakuani’s feet.

Red Card to Brian Mullan, for April 22nd, 2011 tackle and injury to Steve Zakuani

Sound familiar?  It should. Whenever he’s knocked off the ball, Osvaldo Alonso, similar to Mullan on a per match basis, quickly recovers to rush back, impedes the attacking players progress, makes firm contact, even going to turf in a slide to win the ball back.  His efforts, like Mullan’s help win games. Alonso often gets away with a few hard tackles that could be fouls, or yellow, even a few that should be red.

Osvaldo Alonso’s technique is stellar. He was listed by Major League Soccer as part of the best Starting XI performers from last week vs DC United.  But no matter your reputation or skill, when you are a tenacious player, a potential risk exists in every match to be your last.  And no matter your ball winning skills, you could end another players career.

Brian Mullan, like Alonso has a hard work attitude.  Rash, high risk tackles are not a characteristic describing him as a player.  What is said about the 12 year veteran, is how his efforts have been valuable in supporting five different MLS clubs in their runs to championships.

Mullan’s actions were deliberate, but no less a part of his approach to every match.  After last years match, he said, “It was a tackle I’ve done a hundred times, and I’d probably do it again”.  He was unaware of the full extent of Zakuani’s injury when he made that remark.

Zakuani suffered a fracture to his tibia and fibula.  He had to undergo multiple surgeries for his leg that did not initially set properly.  Additional signs of nerve damage put his career in question.

Nearly a year later, Zakuani has remarkably heeled enough to have seen playing time in recent Sounders reserve matches.  His earliest return to the first-team squad would be next month.  I’d be surprised if it’s before June.  Sigi Schmid has said he doesn’t expect a fully recovered Zakuani until 2013.

Upon further review. Mullan was given a MLS record 10 match suspension and fine.

Major League Soccer has built a reputation as a league tolerating more tough tackles than most other top international football leagues. To stop the bleeding, MLS began making post-match reviews for hard challenges.  Shalrie Joseph of New England committed a foul last weekend.  After a review of his challenge by MLS officials, he was retroactively suspended for this weekend’s match.

Overturning a referees decision is not a good business for any sport.  A far worse sports business are injuries like what Zakuani suffered.  FIFA has recently supported England’s Premier League governing body the FA, to make similar post match reviews. MLS appears to be taking a proactive lead in helping players to learn to cut down on risky challenges.

It’s always exciting to see Alonso turn around, track a player down and win the ball back. But in the future, maybe disrupting possession is safer and smarter, even more sporting than the risk in winning possession.  No fouls and no injuries for that.  Timing a successful tackle appears to be a skill that needs further review.

Zakuani and Mullan have talked.  Both seem to have taken the high road of sportsmanship.  After Mullan’s 10 game suspension, and before his first match back vs Columbus he received a text message, “There are no hard feelings. Don’t let this tackle affect the way you play the game. Good luck!” 

Yet, an unsatisfactory feeling lingers.  Mullan has not apologized publicly.  It appears he wont speak about last years incident until after this years match.  Part of me understands emotional and psychological reasons for Mullan not addressing the issue in a more public forum.  Yet, I can’t help think about the horrific sight and sound of the tackle.  It would be welcome by anyone who witnessed that incident to gain some closure by the warm address of a 12 year MLS veteran.

Here is the Sports Illustrated article by Grant Wahl.  Including interviews with Steve Zakuani and Brian Mullan:
Grant Wahl > Planet Futbol
Zakuani on the road to recovery 

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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“Pumped Up Kicks” – Colorado Rapids at Sounders FC

16 07 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Watching Steve Zakuani collapse from a reckless tackle by Colorado Rapids, Brian Mullan, was difficult to watch but galvanizing for the team. Seeing Zakuani suffer a broken leg you couldn’t help feel, as these things happen in sports, Seattle’s 2011 season was lost. On April 22nd, only seven matches into the season, that was how many Sounders fans felt.

In Seattle’s last eight matches they are undefeated. A team record. As Colorado comes to Seattle for a rematch, the Sounders have turned into a team competing for a 2011 Supporters Shield. A win today over Colorado Rapids and the Sounders will only trail LA Galaxy by one point. The Supporters Shield is awarded to the team earning the highest point total at the season conclusion.

Zakuani’s broken leg was suffered in the Sounders seventh match. Seattle held on to win that match. Only the 2nd win at that time. Seattle’s record was 2-wins, 2-losses, 3-draws. Thoughts of a failed season were creeping into people’s minds. Yet over their last fourteen matches, Seattle has only dropped two matches while winning seven.

Coming into this season, Seattle was praised for its depth. Who knew that depth would be tested so early. Along with Zakuani, O’Brian White, Brad Evans, and Mauro Rosales, all key starters soon saw injury time over playing time. Usually a recipe for frustration, losses, and even excuses.  Instead a committee of Sounders have seen playing time. Thirteen different players have contributed goals. Rather than fold the Sounders have won with a dogged approach to team chemistry and determination. Winning with a man down, multiple comebacks, and a creative mix of players have them sporting a “never given up” attitude.

Colorado Rapids - 2010 MLS Champions

Colorado has dealt with many of the same issues as Seattle. They have had less success, but like Seattle, they continue to show true grit. They are the defending Major League Soccer champions. And for the first time since the game Zakuani went down, they have a healthy lineup starting to look and play like defending champions.

For his reckless tackle on Steve Zakuani, Brian Mullan was given a ten game suspension and fine. Completed, he is available for Saturday’s match. Whether Seattle’s sellout crowd is ready for Mullan may be the question. Mullan has indicated he is ready and wants to play. Rapids Head Coach, Gary Smith decided to leave Mullan off the traveling roster. Although Mullan’s quality play and contributions are hard to overlook, it appears Smith has chosen to focus on soccer, rather than have Seattle place a focus of roaring disapproval on Mullan.

Fans will digest as many pints as making points over rounds of opinions about Mullan’s tackle, and Smith’s choice to leave him behind.  By Gary Smith leaving Mullan in Colorado, the Rapids come ready to play with less distraction. Ready to play as defending champions.  Seattle’s already tried and true winning form will receive its biggest test today. Defeating the defending champions could open even more tabs over who the new champion could be.

Thanks to Arlo White for your inspired work.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders, by Ryan Sales


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Sigi’s Sounders go to Washington

4 05 2011

April 30, 2011 #11 Tribute to Steve Zakuani

The Sounders paid an emotional and heart-felt tribute to Steve Zakuani in last Saturday’s match with Toronto FC.  The 11th minute tribute for Zakuani’s broken leg received in their previous match by Colorado Rapids, Brian Mullan, was a salute to Zakuani’s #11 kit number (jersey number).  The Sounders valuable #11 left winger was missing from the Sounders *starting XI (starting lineup).  Zakuani is beginning the long and hopeful road to recovery.  The tribute was topped off in the most perfect manner possible.  A 3-nil victory. Offensive and exciting for fans with a clean sheet (no goals allowed) for Sounders Keeper, Kasey Keller.

For the Sounders offensive and team spirit the victory meant everything.  It combined an emotional show for their fallen teammate and for 36,000 of the most exciting fans in US Soccer.  The first goal came from eventual “man of the match”, Brad Evans.  A cross that bulls-eyed ”Flaco’s” (Alvaro Fernandez) forehead and found the back of net.  Adding to his assist in the first half, Brad Evans scored a brace (two goals) in the second half.  Monro slotted a perfectly weighted ball inside and to the right of Toronto’s goal.  Evans perfectly timed his run up on the ball for a one time strike curling past keeper and into the left corner of Toronto’s goal.  His second, a penalty kick.

For most soccer clubs in the world there is nothing that needs to follow that last sentence.  Not in Seattle.  Never normal and always a story.  Penalty kicks are often considered “given” goals.  Not at Qwest field.  Until Saturday, no Sounder had ever scored a home pitch penalty kick.  In tribute to Zakuani and everything that is remotely normal in the world of soccer, Evans scored the Sounders first ever home pitch penalty kick.  It was also Evans first professional brace (two goals).

With the #11 Zakuani tribute successfully put behind them, Sounders quickly turn to a midweek match vs DC United in our Nation’s Capital.     The brief, and successful one match home stay is sandwiched between four road games.  With Philadelphia’s draw and Colorado’s victory behind them, the next two challenges come up quickly.  First is midweek opponent DC United, then another short turnaround to face Columbus on Saturday.  Little rest and a growing injury report makes both matches part of a daunting road trip.  Already including Steve Zakuani, Seattle’s injury report boasts forwards O’Brian White and Mauro Rosales.  Nothing comes easy for Sounders.

DC United - Black and Red - MLS Champions '96, '97, '99, '04

Seattle has never lost in our Nation’s Capital.  It has become the most successful road stop for Sounders FC since joining MLS in 2009.  The Sounders faced DC United at RFK Stadium in the 2009 US Open Cup final winning its first trophy 2-1.  A week later, they surprised everyone by coming back for a regular season match and winning again.  Last year, Roger Levesque scored a late match winner on a short cross from Montero.  The win was part of the Sounders late in form run which launched them into the 2010 MLS playoffs.

In preseason, bench depth was the best weapon talked about when evaluating the Sounders 2011 roster.  It will be tested in the next two matches.  If Seattle wins one of the next two without taking on more injuries, they will be in good shape for the showdown with Cascadia Rival, Portland.

Heading to Washington DC, it is hard not to think on failing budget compromise, a struggling economy, and recent counter terrorism issues in Pakistan.  To paraphrase Sounders coach, Sigi Schmid, *I subscribe to the belief you only have so much energy to give.  With so much focused attention on the death of Osama Bin Laden, I propose a midweek break.  At 7:30 on the East coast and 4:30 on the West coast the Sounders FC face DC United.  It is important to spend two-thirds more energy on your passions and what you love.  Even laughter.  Osama Bin Lden and terrorism, not to dismiss the value and weight of recent events, are neither what I would consider topics of love, passion, or even laughter.  Consider turning to soccer for one night as the beautiful alternative.

Soccer is a simple game.  *If you put a ball at the feet of a 3-year-old child, perhaps even younger, that child will instinctively kick.  It’s simple, because it is from instinct.  Hours of repetition and the ball becomes an instinctive extension of body, mind, and soul.  * “While I cannot claim to be more than a passenger”.  Soccer is the beautiful, instinctual competitive spirit of the human kind and a recipe for peace.  Let’s enjoy the best of who we are rather than focus on the evils that have been defeated.

Never stare into the eyes of Medusa.  This weeks battle-classico features a growing cross continental rivalry.  If you haven’t turned on a Major League Soccer match recently.  It is time.  An intense but respectful rivalry is growing between DC and Seattle.  Turn your attention to Washington for the beautiful game.  It’s instinct really.  Focus more on what happens in soccer and terrorism will inevitably fade to black.

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

 A few notes and references

* Starting XI = Starting lineup.
* During Seattle’s inaugural season the team went through a long stretch of fouls.  Players were irritated with officials, but were also not helping themselves by adding complaints.  Sigi Schmid made the point, that he subscribes to the belief players only have so much energy to give each match.  Using it on officials is not the best use of that energy.  Since that time the Sounders have gone from the team receiving the highest number of fouls to middle of the league.
*Cliff McCrath, five time NCAA Division II Champions with Seattle Pacific University.  Also ran a summer boys and girls youth soccer camp on Whidbey Island.  I attended three years as a child.  His (almost) weekly soundersfc.com show “Nub’s Nuggets” is where he covers one relevant soccer point to think on each week.  During April, 2011 he covered the simplicity of teach kids to play.  By setting a ball in from of them they will instinctively kick.  Make fun games out of repetitive passing and ball control.  Then, sit back, and answer questions when they ask.  This is a grain of wisdom in why the game is so beautiful.
* “ While I cannot claim to be more than a passenger”.  The Shins, Girl Sailor – Wincing the Night Away

* * * * *

© 2011 by Ryan J Sales


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You Never Watch Alone, Part II: Why Zakuani Fell

30 04 2011
Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC - 2009 & 2010 US Open Cup Champions

In match #6, 2010 at BMO Field, Sounders FC went on the road to face-off with Toronto FC, I made a horrible, inexcusable supporter mistake.  Seemingly safe from such mistakes, I was at home in Highland Park, a quiet West Seattle neighborhood, in the comfort of my own home.  When I broke one of the basic laws of soccer viewership while supporting your clubs away matches.  I watched alone.  No excuses, I messed up. Sounders lost 2-nil.  Not even, “we had more of the game” from Sigi Schmid, helped the sour result.  Some people still say that loss was my fault.  Freddie Ljungberg left Seattle without saying “good-bye, Ryan”. In soccer, you never watch alone.

Since that match I have reached out to acquire many quality skills in properly watching soccer alone.  Required viewing;  “The Social Network“.  Check. Acquire an IT specialist. Check.  He is someone who knows the statistical vocabulary, and freakonomic calculations behind web design.  My IT Specialist is, Thomas Breuler, whose growing certifications through, Western Governors University cause me only one minor problem.  He owns a restaurant with his wife, Avalon, so I’ll be washing dishes for a long time.  Add Twitter account.  Check. Add Sales on Sounders Facebook page.  Check.  Read and heed valuable Sounders supporter words of wisdom and advice for soccer-viewing while alone.  Check.  My good friend and Sounders Supporter, Todd Hodges said, “the communal exhale in victory, defeat, or draw is a vital part of the release”, when viewing and supporting your club.  Not to wax too spiritual, but if you’re connected with everything “out there” then, Todd’s right, you will truly never watch alone.

This time I’m ready.  Only a 25-minute bus ride away from joining 36,000.  A quick auto-swipe of an Orca Bus Pass, and it’s a Metro dash to Qwest Field.  I’ll be in the hive of the Capitol of Soccer in America.  Seattle hosts Toronto FC this Saturday, May 3oth at 7:00, from its home pitch, Qwest Field.

“It’s not just the story that’s being told. It’s how it’s being told”.  Daniel Mendelsohn, The New York Review of Books, “Why She Fell”.

Julie Taymor, Spider Man, Turn off the Dark director

Mendelsohn, composed a wonderful essay chronicling, Julie Taymor‘s reasons for launching herself into the massive undertaking that is, Spider Man:  Turn Off the Dark, the struggling, in process, Broadway musical.  Her successful development as a director and creative mind behind other acclaimed productions, like Lion King, opened doors for her to take this type of “leap of faith” risk.  In taking risk with such abandon, she literally takes artistic leaps without knowing if a net is below.  She creates successful communal release and lands on her feet more than meeting the thud of failure.  Unfortunately, the production rehearsals of Spider Man had too many thuds from falling actors without nets.  Which caused her recent ousting from Spider Man.  The musical has failed to the tune of $65 million.  The Sounders would do well in the transfer window with that Broadway Bound Budget.  Is Julie Broken?  Maybe.  Repairable?  Proven.  Julie puts no less than the entirety of her soul into her work.  She will land on her feet again.

Steve Zakuani‘s leg was broken last Friday night in the third minute of the match with Colorado Rapids.  Brian Mullan slid with a reckless tackle causing the horrible break to Zakuani.  Mullan received a total 10 game suspension and $5,000 fine.  It is steep. One of the steepest in MLS history.  But Brian has accepted the penalty without challenge. Demonstrating both his wish for Zakuani’s recovery and acceptance for his brief lapse of judgement when launching into his slide tackle.

Julie’s failure and Brian’s recklessness whether artistic or sporting, challenges us to realize a necessary way to play in life is to leap with abandon.  Net or no net, leap into risk.  The difficult and critical challenge is separating abandon from reckless abandon. Julie Taymor is one of the best at doing so much with so little.  The uncloaked actors holding puppets in, Lion King is her genius-mind realized.  Brian Mullan has won five MLS Championships with all 5 MLS clubs he has played for.  So, even the best can fail. $65 million is not needed to realize an artistic vision.  Hard tackles in the 3rd minute of matches while in your opponent’s end of the field are also not needed.  The failure in both situations is steep and weighted with heavy retributions.  It is necessary to measure who these people are when looking beyond their errors and oversight in recent challenges.

Not to make excuses for their actions.

Julie Taymor and Brian Mullan both failed.  This should not be their legacy.  These two are among the best of their skilled trades.  Their successes outweigh their failures.  I’m not making excuses for them, but rather trying to see that how they play the game is with head strong visions.  Failure is a hard mask to see through.  It’s blinding.  How they have played recently is in question.  But the final chapters in their stories are long from being published.  They play without abandon and without net.  They dance the fine line between acceptable and unexplainable.  My guess, they are learning even more than most of us how to play alone in such challenging and necessary circumstances that they will once again grace the stage and pitch as champions.

No, these thoughts do not credit Broadway with $65 million.  Nor do they unwind the cast on Zakuani’s leg so he can step on the pitch this weekend.  For that, I’m angry.  I was hundreds of miles from Commerce City, CO and Dicks Sporting Goods Park where Mullan brought Zakuani down.  As Twitter lit up with the awful news I wanted to retaliate.  I couldn’t watch the replays.  I felt a broken supporter in a broken season.  I wanted to know why Zakuani fell.  Even with improved communication skills, new technology, and communal social mechanisms i felt alone in a lost season. Fortunately, Sreve Zakuani’s words spoken from the heart, kept me from feeling I was watching alone. He spoke to everyone who has ever had to overcome adversity, failure, and feeling alone.

Steve Zakuani #11 - Seattle Sounders #1 draft pick inaugural season 2009

In Steve Zakuani’s own words:

“The long road to recovery has already started and I am fully aware of the mountains ahead of me but I also know that I will go through all of the challenges ahead with a positive attitude using my faith in Jesus Christ as a solid foundation on which to overcome this setback.”

In Liverpool, every match begins by singing “You Never Walk Along”, from the musical, Carousel, by Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Who says Broadway and Beckham aren’t as connected as Taymor and Mullan.

Steve Zakuani on Twitter:

24/April:  Surgery went well and I am on the road to recovery. “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.” Speak to you all soon!

24/April:  Overwhelmed by msgs of support/encouragement. Can’t change the past, but I’m gonna control my future by remaining positive! One love!

Sounders FC spirit is low.  A five match undefeated streak feels forgotten.  Our #11 is not in the starting XI for Saturday.  36,000 fans holding #11 signs up for Zakuani to know beyond any possible cognitive doubt he is not alone in Seattle is our selfless hope to lift his spirits.  And hopefully our own.

A win Saturday changes everything.  Zakuani’s spirit.  Club spirit.  Supporter spirit. Everything!  That dark feeling of failure, even when comically watching your team alone, could fade into the abstract.  Leaving Zakuani and every Sounders FC fan a real feeling of communal pride.  It will be a tough match.  If there is any MLS team capable of the mental metamorphosis needed to leap boldly into uncharted challenges, it is Sounders FC who will accept the challenge to “turn off the dark”, on Saturday night.

* * * * *

Dedication and acknowledgments

Not a normal feature on, Sales on Sounders, but match #8 seems like a good time for a dedication and “thanks” to a few important people in the growth and support of this page.

Dedicated to the speedy recovery of our speedy Sounder, #11 Steve Zakuani.

Sales on Sounders first promotion:  IT Specialist and Man of Infinite Football Wisdom, (a true Red) Thomas Breuler.

Thanks to the first Seattle Restaurant, Avalon, dedicated to viewing and support of Liverpool FC and Sounders FC.
Thanks also to Todd Hodges, a dedicated Sounders Supporter and loyal Sales on Sounders follower.
Additionally, I wish to thank my brother, Aaron Sales for his knowledge, belief, and direct free kick in the butt to push on.
It takes a critically intelligent eye to shed light on a dark moment.  Thank you Dan Gardner.  Please read the full NY Review of Books essay, “Why She Fell”, by Daniel Mendelsohn.

© 2011 by Ryan J Sales


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