And the journey begins, Champions League 2012; Sounders vs Caledonia AIA

2 08 2012

Caledonia AIA play in Trinidad and Tobago’s TT Pro League

Seattle Sounders FC return to Champions League Thursday at CenturyLink Field. Starting their third consecutive campaign in our regions international tournament. The Sounders host the Caribbean Football Union’s Club Champion, Caledonia AIA of Trinidad and Tobago’s TT Pro League.

The Sounders have reached Champions League three consecutive years. Winning the US Open Cup the previous three seasons qualified them for CONCACAF Champions League.

Our international soccer (football) region is the wonky acronym, CONCACAF. (The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football). Fortunately their website is easier to remember than their name.

Sounders in Champions League 2010:

The Sounders first plunge into Champions League was in 2010. The major accomplishment in their first international campaign was qualifying for Champions League on their first attempt. Joining MLS in 2009, they won the US Open Cup in their inaugural season. That first Open Cup title punched their Champions League ticket.

If reaching international competition in their first attempt was their high, the disappointing low was failing to advance beyond the group stages. They went 2-wins, 3-losses, and 1-draw. Their first campaign could be summed up in one match.

A long way to Mexico. In the Sounders home match with Monterrey they lost 2-nil. In the away-leg in Mexico, Sounders sought revenge. They held a surprising 2-nil lead going into the 70th minute. No MLS club had won in Mexico. Monterrey scored in the 74th minute rattling the Sounders excited nerves. Seattle proceeded to allow two more goals in less than five minutes. Suffering a disappointing 3-2 loss. But it prepared them for 2011.

Monterrey went on to defeat Real Salt Lake to win the 2010 Champions League.

Sounders in Champions League 2011:

Group stage ready, the Sounders didn’t simply hope to do well. They made advancing from group stage a priority. The Sounders improved to 4-wins, 2-losses, and 1-draw. Again, the big moment came in Monterrey.

A week before Sounders played Monterrey, FC Dallas defeated Pumas to become the first MLS club to win in Mexico. Sounders didn’t waste any time being second.

Thirty-eight minutes into the away match, Alvaro Fernandez scored the decisive goal. This time the Sounders stood tall. Earning their most prominent international victory to date. They defeated the reigning CONCACAF Champion, halted their thirteen match Champions League undefeated streak, and did it in Mexico. More importantly, the win helped propel the Sounders to the quarterfinal knock-out round.

2011 Quarterfinals vs Santos Laguna:

Club Santos Laguna, Primera División, Mexico

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Advancing from group stages for the first time the Sounders again faced a formidable Mexican club in a two-leg, knockout quarterfinal.

For the first leg in Seattle, David Estrada wasted no time giving the Sounders fans a chilling, March-madness goal in the twelfth minute. Santos equalized in the sixty-first minute with a goal from US National Team’s striker, Hercules Gomez. On a free kick two minutes later, Mauro Rosales sent a soaring kick dangerously into the box, where Brad Evans headed the ball over Santos outstretched and airborne goalkeeper into the right corner of his net.

The two-leg series is aggregate. Sounders traveled to Santos one goal to the good (2-1).

The Sounders were always up against it. They knew defeating Santos would take more than a one goal advantage. But giving up two goals in the opening ten minutes was more than eloquent foreshadowing. Sounders got one goal back in the thirty-seventh minute. At halftime of the second leg the aggregate score sat knotted at 3-3. But Santos put away four second half goals. The Sounders took home their worse competitive loss to date 6-1 for the night, and 7-3 aggregate.

“Why so serious”?  Joker asks Batman. With every MLS team struggling to keep players healthy without US Open Cup and Champions League matches, why take Champions League seriously? Doesn’t that potentially weaken your chances for winning an MLS Cup?

You can’t avoid answering “yes”. But stopping there, you’d never see one of the beautiful, unique aspects of the game. The best teams, and only the best teams play in multiple leagues at one time. Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan do this year in, year out.

These matches are not added to a clubs schedule for punishment. They add pedigree. They distinguish the elite champions from a regular list of the rest.

Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid took a moment recently and gave some good insight into the importance of playing in, and taking our regions Champions League so seriously.

“It’s important because it’s our international tournament. It’s our Champions League. It’s our opportunity to show how good we are within our region. It gives us the opportunity to go to the World Club Championship”.

“I think you look at last year when we played against Santos, certainly the win at home was a big confidence booster for us, and the game down there was a big learning experience for us as well. But if we could have gotten past that game, matched up with Toronto, got into the final, it would have been a huge thing for our club. So, this is the beginning of that journey, and being recognized within your region I think is very important for our league as well. Because it’s definitely, I can say it’s a power struggle between Mexico and the US, as to who’s the dominant country in our region. That power struggle gets played out at the national team level, and then it gets played out at the club level as well, and the only place it gets played at the club level is in the Champions League”.

The group stage format is revised for 2012. In previous years each group, like the World Cup, had four clubs. The top two advancing. This year each group has three clubs, with only one advancing.

Winning the first match becomes more critical. In the past, clubs had wiggle room. They could settle for a couple draws advancing to the second round without exercising their full effort to win their group. This format change forces clubs to compete from the start.

To make other clubs want to reach Champions League, the new format offers some advantages over past formats. Two fewer games, which means less travel. But having less wiggle room means if you want to be a champion you have to win, or go home.

© 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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Walking Dead Dynamo – Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders FC

22 03 2012

Head bandaged Zombies, 40,000 screaming rave green fans , and NBC Sports Network.

Ingredients for a new NBC soccer-thriller-zombie-drama?  No.  This is a usual bloody, head-bash clash between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders.  The difference this time, NBC Sports Network will bring a growing thrill seeking audience to this Major League Soccer version of “The Hunger Games”.

See the trees through the Bandages

Coach, Sigi Schmid calls them “trees”.  The tall, physical Houston Dynamo travel to CenturyLink Field, Friday, 7pm PST.  This match marks NBC Sports Network’s first match with Sounders FC. It’s already Prime-Time viewing when these two MLS power-clubs meet, but NBC will expose it to a larger blood-thirsty audience.

“Zombie Jaqua”

Nate "Zombie" Jaqua - Houston vs Sounders 2009 MLS Playoffs

Not once, but twice during the Sounders 2009 inaugural season, both clubs met and a Sounder ended up wearing a head-bandage.  Former Sounder, Nate Jacqua has twice been the head bitten victim.  Most notably during the 2009 MLS Playoffs.  Nate’s contract was declined by Seattle during the offseason.  Fan and player memories of those scarred Dynamo matches still haunts.

Houston Dynamo have more diverse talents than causing bloody head wounds.  But there are a few rules to follow, and faces to be aware of.

“Rule number one:  Cardio”.  The survival rule that worked in “Zombieland“ works the same here.  Houston is tall and physical and can turn any game on a single Brad Davis dead ball set piece. Sigi says about Houston “they’ve got probably the best server of a dead ball in the league, in Brad Davis”.  So, run.  Run and wear ‘em down.  Possess, pass quick, move, and make the dynamo chase the game.

Rule number two:  Beware the Trees. With a tall lineup of players, like 6′ 3″ Geoff Cameron the Dynamo are always a free kick or corner kick away from a slicing fast goal.  So playing level at 0-0 or even holding a marginal 1-0 lead is nothing Houston fears.  In fact, it only make ‘em hungrier.

That same forest height also haunts opponents when Houston are on the defensive side of the ball.  The Dynamo banged in a 1-0 lead against the Sounders in Seattle last year.  Seattle pelted Houston’s goal with 26 shots.  Steve Zakuani salvaged a late 80th minute equalizing goal.

A late escape this time is not the position the Sounders want to be in.  Last year was a lucky draw.  The fate would likely be worse this time.

David Estrada opened the Sounders season with a St Patrick’s Hat-trick vs Toronto.  He may not be able to duplicate, but what will be critical is his ability to make similar runs in behind Houston’s defense.  Like Toronto, frustrating Houston’s defense and pulling them out of position, creating offensive gaps for Alvaro “Flaco” Fernadez, and Frdy Montero will be a valuable part of Estrada’s development and Sounders success.  Possession and creativity up top in attack will force Houston to chase the game and not allow their physical presence and height to dominate the match.  Bandages will remain resting in first-aid kits.

Match Notes and Injury Update:

Media note:  Arlo White, the Sounders commentator for the past two seasons will be calling his first match back in Seattle since being selected by NBC Sports Network as their primary soccer play-by-play announcer.  I imagine a warm welcome, as Arlo has been such an exciting part of Sounders soccer since coming from BBC-5.  His warm baritone and creative calls make him a clear selection for NBC.  Here are some calls you may know, “Loitering with intent”, “Champagne soccer”, and a classic “Shambolics”

Injury note:  Mauro Rosales received a knock to his knee from Toronto.  He will miss Houston and may miss the next two weeks.  ”Flaco” may move from left to right.  Burch, Levesque, and Sivebæk are thought to possibly be options to fill in as well.

You can also see my work posted here

 © 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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MLS Playoffs Wait for Cascadia Cup – Sounders FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps

24 09 2011

The season of the rivalry has come to this.  A Sounders victory in Vancouver and the Cascadia Cup goes to Seattle.  A draw or loss, and Sounders leave Cascadia Cup celebrations to hope.  Which, is like dry timber surviving a lightning storm, a small craft in soaring winds, sailing in high swells, or a happy school of salmon avoiding trawlers nets.  Cascadia worries aside, the Sounders would secure the cup and further improve their playoff position.

MLS Breaking News

Sounders make MLS playoffs for third consecutive year.  Last night’s match, (Friday 9/23), between Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City ended in a 1-1 draw.  The draw secured Seattle’s third consecutive playoff appearance.  With playoff acquisition behind them, the match with Vancouver remains critical. Finishing above Real Salt Lake and Colorado secures home field advantage in the first round of the MLS Playoffs.

Side note. Philadelphia’s lone goal was scored by beloved former Sounder, Sebastian Le Toux.  A gift from one Sounder to another.

Now back to our regularly scheduled, but ir-regularly minded Cascadia Cup Clash.

Vancouver Whitecaps - NASL logo - Soccer Bowl '79 NASL Champions

A Major League Soccer moment in history was marked in their first meeting, June 11th at Qwest Field. Eric Hassli converted a first half penalty and Vancouver led 1-nil through the 80th minute. With a major upset only 10 minutes away, Tyson Wahl crossed a ball into the box from the left-flank, where Nate Jacqua brilliantly flicked on to Mauro Rosales for a finely finished volley.

The Sounders could have easily settled for happy-relief with the 81st minute equalizing draw. Instead, Osvaldo Alonso stole the ball outside the box in the 84th minute, slotting a shot inside the near post. With Seattle now holding a late 2-1 lead, it appeared they had stolen another exciting, nail-biting victory.

Eric Hassli decided to make history. (see video) Osvaldo Alonso, the hero, doesn’t make many mistakes. Receiving a pass at the right corner of the Sounders penalty box for a simple clearance, he misplayed the ball. Hasli immediately picked up the loose ball, flicked it up to himself, and from above the right corner of the penalty area, volleyed a shot that not only hit net, but has earned nearly 5,000,000 YouTube hits worldwide.

Many call this the “Goal of the Year”. Some now call it the best in MLS history. Either way, the goal is so outstanding, Qwest Field was renamed CenturyLink.

Video – Eric Hassli’s goal to remember

The good, the bad, the ugly of Eric Hassli. Even ugly, he is as entertaining a soccer player as Major League Soccer has ever had. He wears the passion for the game on his arm. He’s hot on the ball and hot-headed. Everything a striker needs to be. First season in MLS and he’s accumulated 10 goals, 6 yellow-cards, and 3 red-card ejections. It’s quite likely, if not certain, as seen in their first meeting, the Sounders will see Hassli add to those stats.

Vancouver whitecaps’ 4-win, 14-loss, 10-draw record, lowest seed in Major League Soccer, is no reflection of their talent on the field.  Hassli, Camilo, and Chiumiento have joined for 20 goals and 12 assists. Their offense is potent and earns its goals in the run of play as well as any club in Major League Soccer. Compared with the more successful, but set-piece oriented Portland Timbers, and you wonder what holds them back. Their defense and goal-keeping are their weakness. Attack minded clubs, like Seattle, expose those weaknesses. No doubt defense is the key to Vancouver’s improvement for next season.

Seattle Sounders - NASL 1974 - 1983

When rivals meet, season totals reset to zero. For tonight, Vancouver has one emotional stat in their favor. This rivalry dates to 1974, when both teams joined the NASL. Vancouver’s home field for much of their history has been at Empire Field, where tonight’s match takes place.

While Seattle is in the playoffs, Vancouver is out. Seattle has 14-wins to Vancouver’s 4. Sounders set a new club high-mark for season points, with 51 and climbing. Vancouver is at 22. But forget it all. Vancouver has an emotional weapon. Tonight is their last match at Empire Field. Their home for much of their 37 years of professional soccer. History has a way of adding emotional adrenaline to match-day adrenaline. Something the Sounders can best calm with early goals.

At 51 points, 46 goals, and 14 wins the Sounders excellence so far this season has them poised and fighting for home-filed playoff positioning.  Their stakes remain high, even with Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City assisting their playoff certainty last night.

Mauro Rosales will not be available due to his MCL injury suffered in last week’s match with DC United. Pressure to fill his boots likely falls on Fernandez, Friberg and Neagle. Sigi Schmid has been resourceful juggling his clubs depth to fight off many injuries all season long. Each match has posed a new lineup challenge.  Schmid has succeeded at meeting those challenges throughout the season. Tonight will be another regular lineup challenge. The emotional crowd of Empire Field, desire to lift a rivalry trophy, and improve their playoff position will be anything but a regular challenge for both clubs. Normal for Cascadia.

Cascadia Cup Standings
Sounders:  1-W, O-L, 2-D = 5pts (one match remaining @ Vancouver)
Portland:  1-W, 1-L, 1-D = 4pts (one match remaining @ Vancouver)
Vancouver:  0-W, 1-D, 1-L = 1pt (two matches remaining vs Seattle, vs Portland)

© Sales on Sounders – 2011 by Ryan Sales



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Red Bulls, Revolution, Levesque and US vs El-Tri – Soccer not to be forgotten

26 06 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Before the Revolution and after Red Bull Run.  Sounders 30-year-old for-mid-fender, Roger Levesque, is the most disliked Sounder by Portland Timber fans.  His game winning goal followed by his “scuba dive” celebration is sure to plant seeds of disapproval further east in the New York Red Bull camp.  ”For-mid-fender” is coach Sigi Schmid‘s creative position title for Levesque, because of his willingness and hustle to do whatever he can to help the team, including playing any field position.

A quick dive-down through the key match points.  After only 12-minutes Sounders built a 2-nil lead.  Sounders 2011 stats would suggest that lead is insurmountable. Then again, this is the crazy world of soccer.  New York would half the lead by half-time.  Then a Sounders rare Own-Goal by defender Zach Scott in the 58th minute. With the score level at 2-2 in the 58th minute, Sigi Schmid made a surprise early substitution.  He sent on Roger Levesque for Michael Fucito.  The move replaced short up front speed, with a little more height and up front hustle.  The move paid solid dividends.  From a well placed Leo Gonzalez corner, Levesque flicked home a headed goal and Seattle took a 3-2 lead.

Then came the moment that has gone internet viral.  Red Bull defenders feeling pressure from Levesque and Montero, played a usual ball back to keeper Greg Sutton, who took the ball at his feet and prepared to distribute it up field. Unfortunately for his head, his feet had a momentary lapse.  His first touch bobbled awkwardly, and Instead of clearing the ball away, Sutton only managed to bounce the ball in front of his feet.  Levesque dove in and was able to swipe away the free-swimming ball.  He quickly settled control away from Sutton, and only had to walk the ball into the net.  Sutton looked on in broken disbelief.

Brandi Chastain, 1999 US Women World Cup winning PK vs China

Goal celebrations are an important part of sports entertainment.  US Soccer, unlike the NFL is not known for many well choreographed celebrations.  Two historic examples do stand out.  One is Brandi Chastain’s World Cup winning penalty kick against China.  Dropping to the ground, throwing off her shirt and raising her hands in celebration.  Truly one of the most memorable US Soccer moments.  That one made the cover of Sports Illustrated. Almost as epic was Landon Donovan’s 2010 World Cup goal against Algeria.  He ran and slid to the corner flag with his teammates following and piling on top.

Levesque’s was not as international.  It will definitely make the 2011 top-10 charts and received more media attention than any recent extracurricular soccer affair.  Non-FIFA related that is.  Running behind Sutton’s shrunken goal, Levesque perched a seat atop the electronic ad-board lining the outside of the field.  He put his fingers to his nose, then fell into a pool of celebration.  He called this the “scuba dive”. Harmless.  But surely not to be forgotten in New York.

Before moving on to Sounder Sunday with Fort Revolution, there was a small soccer gathering in Southern California between El Tri and Team Chicharito competing against the Red, White, and Blue US Boys of Summer, for the 2011 Gold Cup Final.  Nearly 100,000 attended the thrilling match.  US took an early surprise lead going up 2-nil. Then once Mexico scored, the US defense was never able to regain composure and Mexico found a steady stream of glory.  Winning 4-2, this will be remembered as an epic US collapse as well as the most talented and inspired Mexican squad.  The Rose Bowl Rendezvous, like Sutton’s blunder will surely not be forgotten.

The Revolution bring back Sounder trouble maker, Shalrie Joseph.  His size and skill in midfield is tough for any team to handle.  The Sounders are no exception.  How to solve for Shalrie?  Against New York Red Bulls, Zach Scott put a couple of solid defensive tackles on star Dwayne De Rosario.  Shalrie is a bit more retaliatory than De-Ro, so the potential for backlash is greater, but the early effort could help creep a sense of irritation into Joseph’s head.  When he roams free and unobstructed he is one of the best in MLS.  If the Sounders frustrate him, the door for a third straight win could be pushed open.  It will be a physical task.  Being the third game in a week doesn’t help.  So goes mid-season life for a Sounder.

Tidbits

Qwest Field was officially renamed CenturyLink Field.  The introduction was made prior to the start of the Red Bulls match.  The first night affair saw the Sounders first ever four goal match, and a new attendance record of 46,754.

The July transfer window is nearly open and MLS rumors of big name signings are piling up.  The Sounders are heaped in the middle of the rumor mills.  One to watch and one to hope for.  Rumored to be attending was Ghana National, Prince Tagoe. Tagoe was part of the Ghana team that eliminated the US from the 2010 World Cup.  A hopeful name for this author is Diego Forlan, from the 2010 Uruguay National Team. Both of carry high prices and could easily be silly rumors.  It does show that the Sounders attendance gives them enough pedigree to be considered a legitimate home for big name stars.

This contradicts my opinion that developed players are ultimately more valuable than Designated Players, but that is another longer post.  Until then, it is off to the Revolution.

Mid-Season Poll Question.  Add your comments of who you would like to see come to the MLS.

No contributions or detailed references this week.  Please follow my link to Prost Amerika Soccer.  If you enjoy Sales on Sounders, you will equally appreciate the passion, humor, and intelligence put into that site.

©  2011 by Ryan Sales – Sales on Sounders


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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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