LA Confidential part-two, The Boogie Team; Sounders vs Galaxy

4 08 2012

“Sometimes you just have a boogie team, you know, a team that just, for some reason, it just doesn’t work for you. And right now, they’re that team for us. I think they know that in their locker room.” 

Sigi Schmid, after 2010 season opening loss, 1-nil to LA Galaxy, March 16, 2011
(The Seattle Times | Sounders FC Blog, Joshua Meyers, Sounders vs Galaxy 3/16/11)

2011 MLS Champion LA Galaxy. Sounders 4-5-2 vs Galaxy in all competitions. 2-5-2 in MLS (including playoffs)

For this LA Confidential sequel, don’t go looking up IMDB (Internet Movie Database) when you have SOS (Sales on Sounders).

Seattle Sounders finally defeated LA Galaxy May 2nd, 2-nil. Stopping a winless streak dating to the 2009 inaugural season. Including regular season and 2010 MLS Playoff matches the Sounders record over that stretch 0-wins, 5-losses, 1-draw. The win in May was worth 3-points for the season, but without LA’s complete star-driven lineup it felt anticlimactic.

Sure, Sounders managed two US Open Cup wins over the Galaxy during that period. But at best the Galaxy were only giving 80% effort in those matches. Which ordinarily would be questionable behavior. If it weren’t for the fact the Galaxy made it clear winning MLS Cups are their priority. They backed that up convincingly winning the 2011 MLS Cup.

LA, Where the Wild Things are.

The Galaxy are loaded with international talent causing nightmares for MLS clubs.

No Galaxy name registers more attention than midfielder, David Beckham. With 6 goals and 9 assists, Beckham has been bending it the way only Beckham knows how. He has been directly involved in 15 of LA’s 39 goals. He’ll be nightmarish for the Sounders on set pieces.

Robbie Keane will make his first appearance for the Galaxy at Century Link Field. Although he has struggled to find the back of net this year, he has registered 52 shots, and tied with Donovan for 9 goals, leading the Galaxy. His struggles were only due to expectation for him to have scored 15-18 goals. He’s also recorded 6 assists. The Republic of Ireland National Team captain, is indeed the kind of nightmare the Sounders defense will have to challenge themselves to survive. His threat to score is as deadly as his ability to score.

When the Galaxy drifted to the bottom of the table earlier this season, all eyes turned on captain, Landon Donovan. Coach, Bruce Arena didn’t panic. Confident he had players with talent and will to pull through a sluggish start. Recently Arena pulled Donovan aside for a brief 1-vs-1. No surprise the Galaxy started climbing the table soon after. With a win over the Sounders, LA would rise to third place in the Western Conference.

“Struggling”, is a relative term in the world of defending champion, LA Galaxy. Landon Donovan continues to lead his team in scoring with 9 goals. He’s also recorded 7 assists, only 2 behind Beckham. It is easy to see why Donovan is the most prolific goal getter the US has produced. Even when he struggles, he’s a difference maker that finds ways to remain on the pitch contributing to the Galaxy’s success.

When LA struggled early on, one key player was absent from their championship squad, Omar Gonzalez. As the Galaxy slowly work back into championship form, it is his presence on defense that haunts opposing clubs.

LA’s three Designated Players: Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan, and David Beckham

Juninho is already known as a goal scoring thorn in the Sounders side. Playing at Century Link wont rattle this Brazilian’s football-brain.

Mike Magee doesn’t initially strike fear in opponents. He’s deceiving. Seems like a good guy. Defendable. Then, in the closing minutes of matches, who’s the guy on the end of so many Beckham bending blasts?  Magee, Magee, and Magee.

The Sounders have produced a unique ability to win US Open Cups. Since the Sounders 2009 inaugural season they are the only club to touch the cup. Winning three in a row. The name of the trophy is on the verge of being renamed, The Rave Green, Emerald City Cup. Next Wednesday, Sounders travel to Sporting Kansas City to play for their fourth consecutive US Open Cup.

The same can not be said for the Sounders ability to win key Major League Soccer regular season and playoff matches. They continue to be one of the most successful, attack oriented MLS clubs. But they struggle in key MLS matches. LA is one of those teams the Sounders have yet to measure up to.

Keys for the Sounders to exorcise a Boogie:

Don’t give up silly set pieces within Beckham’s bending range. Mark Robbie Keane. If you lose him, then you will find him in the back of your net. Mark up Magee. You can let Magee wander a bit, but watch out for his late runs into the box. When Beckham’s behind the ball, Magee better be covered, or you’ll soon realize he was the target all along.

With Eddie Johnson fully in form, will he be able to find that inch of space he needs to score on Omar Gonzalez? The Omar Gonzalez vs Eddie Johnson matchup may prove to be the key to the match. Another key question, will Osvaldo Alonso be able to hold up LA in the midfield, as he has against so many clubs? Tactically, he surely will. But not allowing LA to get inside his head, which I guarantee is an LA Confidential objective, will be Alonso’s challenge.

There may not be a footy-priest available tomorrow to conduct a Sounders exorcist. But, there will be 60,000 faithful, rave green, screaming fans boisterously believing they can beat a LA Boogie.

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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Union Payback – Philadelphia Union at Sounders FC

5 05 2012

Sounders huddle before midweek match with LA Galaxy 5/2/12 – Photo by Paul Kahl

Welcome back from midweek success.

Today your ever-changing cast of Sounders starters host the Philadelphia Union.  The objective is clear.  This is the only meeting in the unbalanced 2012 schedule.  So, beat the Union and get payback for the flat 2-nil performance last October.

The Union will be without their prominent coach Peter Nowak.  Who is serving the second of a two game suspension.  Nowak’s suspension and fine were for his part in a scuffle with Chivas USA on April 21.

David Beckham and Robbie Keane missed a good game Wednesday.  Sounders stole the glory from the present champion LA Galaxy, winning 2-nil.  Turf excuses, travel, and a compacted schedule were the primary reasons given for the Galaxy’s absent stars.

Seattle had not defeated LA since an away match in 2009.  And had never won at home.  The midweek mash-up initially looked a high challenge with the Galaxy’s three world-class DP’s (Designated Players) Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and Robbie Keane.  Only Donovan made the trip.  Effectively, Bruce Aren put out a B-Squad line-up.  The Sounders made LA pay for it.  One reason bounced around about why Beckham didn’t play was the surface.  The Field Turf Revolution Surface yesterday received a FIFA-2 certification.  So, hopefully next time LA come to town, their list of excuses will have better validation.

Galaxy travel to Seattle again August 5th.

Last October, Philadelphia took all three points from Seattle at Century Link.  A lackluster 2-nil loss.  Philadelphia’s return marks an opportunity for Sounders FC to get payback.  Adding a little extra importance is that this will be the only meeting between the two sides in 2012.

Focal points for the match.

Freddy Adu, like Eddie Johnson is working hard to prove his value as a club level MLS leader and pave his way to the US National Team.  The teen-prodigy has had many ups and down, but has never kept his eye off the bigger objective.  As much as I root for the Sounders, I have never stopped hoping for Adu’s success.

Sports are weird.  Sometimes a players success is realized by simply finding the right environment to flourish in.  The Union seem to be a place where Adu may realize that success.  Sounders know something about that.  Eddie Johnson has followed a similar up and down path to Adu.  He is also working to forge a successful return to MLS.

The match will be a good opportunity to compare their competitive development and club level contributions.  Both hope club level success in MLS will catch the attention of US National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann.  Both wish to be in the mix of players considered for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Sounders will likely be without newly acquired Keeper Michael Gspurning for 2-3 weeks.  A hip injury.  In his place steps Bryan Meredith.  Meredith played for the Kitsap Pumas last year.  Sounders fans may remember him well.  He kept Sounders at bay in a 2-1 US Open Cup loss to the Sounders.  By keeping the match close, on key saves for Kitsap, Meredith gave the Pumas what could have been a mammoth upset.

Michael Gspurning smacks goal kick in first half vs LA 5/2/12 – Photo by Paul Kahl

Winning is such a complex variable.  The Sounders are  5-W, 1-L, 1-D and building momentum.  But a sour performance would bring that to a halt.  Early season challenges like this, at first seem like a big deal.  But in the scheme of a marathon season, a single victory may mean little.  The lasting impact is how the team feels about how they handled the challenge.  Letting fans down at home would hurt.  Earning a win, or settling for a draw would give the Sounders all the validation they need for their must successful start to a season.  Momentum favors no one.  Results do.  A draw or win is the Sounders Saturday objective.


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LA Confidence – LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC

2 05 2012

Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan, David Beckham of LA Galaxy - 2011 MLS Cup Defending Champions

The 2011 Major League Soccer Champions, LA Galaxy are in town for a midweek mash-up with the Sounders tomorrow at Century Link Field.  Coming off an impressive 2-1 grind-it-out Chicago-style win against the Fire last weekend, the Sounders are ready to go from one melee to another.

Come game time, 7 pm Wednesday evening, Seattle’s streets should be quieted from the May Day mess.  Seattle suffered a WTO, circa 1999 relapse on Tuesday.  A May Day protest became dangerous when protestors began doing damage to downtown Seattle businesses.  While other rally’s around Seattle throughout the day were successful in being peaceful.  One disrespectful group of protestors took up news time and headlines when they caused the city and businesses thousands of dollars of damage.

As for the Windy-City scuffle that took place after last Saturday’s match with Chicago Fire, Eddie Johnson was the only Sounder to suffer any repercussions.  So far.  Johnson was issued and undisclosed fine for an inappropriate gesture.  Which he followed with an apology posted on Prost Amerika.  Chicago’s Jalil Anibaba’s two footed, studs up tackle to Leo Gonzalez at the end of the match started the pushing.  He was issued a red card along with Fire coach Frank Klopas.

The Sounders are off to their hottest start, going 4-W, 1-L, 1-D over their first 6 matches.  LA is only simmering at 3-W, 3-L, 1-D.  Some clubs might be intimidated by the Sounders resourceful start, and fever-pitched home crowds.  The star-studded Galaxy are not one of those teams.

As successful as the Sounders have been against the Fire 4-W, 0-L, 3-D.  LA Galaxy have been nearly as successful against the Sounders.  Galaxy last lost to the Sounders during an LA trip in their inaugural season.  Since then, LA has defeated the Sounders four times, drawing once.  Two of those losses were in the 2010 MLS Playoffs.  Which includes the memorable Edson Buddle 35 yard wonder-strike.  Seattle have defeated LA the last two years in US Open Cup play, but that has not been the Galaxy’s priority.  They proved that by winning the MLS Cup last November.

No red carpet treatment from Sounders supporters for the eclectic entourage of soccer stars included on the Galaxy.  David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, and Robbie Keane.  LA’s lineup looks like an all-star cast.

Seattle has found it’s Estrada and wants its Montero to.  David Estrada has scored 4 goals.  Finding net 5 times this year.  Only three can be solidly credited to him.  Who cares.  When he shoots, the ball finds net.  It may go off a few people before reaching the netting, but that is what is meant when a forward has a knack for net.  Estrada is that man.  Montero has yet to score.  It took him 7 matches last year.  So, timing is ripe for Montero to join Estrada’s knack..

LA is still the class measuring stick.  They play the closet to a top class brand of international soccer of any MLS club.  The pressure and weight from the desire of the Sounders to conquer them, and please home fans has become giant.  When pressure is off, and the Sounders are gliding, and playing in-form US Open Cup soccer, the Galaxy can’t compete.  Being knocked out by the Sounders the last two years in a row.  But when Seattle plays LA in regular season or playoff matches, the pressure seems to bite the Sounders.

Sebastian Le Toux is still the only Sounders player, past or present to score against the Galaxy at home.  That was May of 2009.  The Sounders are due for LA goals at home.  I believe the best cure for midweek blues is scoring goals that defeat the defending champion.

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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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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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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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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WIN NOW – MLS 2011 First Kick, Battle for Los Angeles and Seattle

15 03 2011
First Kick 2011

MLS First Kick 2011, LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders Fc

Match Preview:

Major League Soccer, First Kick, Los Angeles Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC.

The 2011 Major League Soccer season starts tomorrow in Seattle.  First Kick, Major League Soccer’s premiere season opening match is hosted by Seattle Sounders FC for the third consecutive season.  A tribute to Seattle’s established Rave Green fan base. Sports reporters across America are setting their NCAA brackets aside for a few minutes to take in this spotlight US Soccer match.  No wonder, as Major League Soccer finally shows off a primetime cast of stars:

Landon Donovan: Hero of the 2010 US World Cup team.
David Beckham: Considered the biggest drawing name in the world of soccer.
Kasey Keller:  The 41 year old US Soccer hero turning legend.
Freddy Montero:  The Colombian First Kick hero from Seattle’s 2009 Inaugural Match and First Kick 2010 victory.
Steve Zakuani: Seattle’s inaugural season rookie sensation.
. . . and of course, the largest and loudest US Soccer fans.

This is a rematch between LA Galaxy and Sounders FC from the MLS playoffs last November’s.  Edson Buddle‘s long range wonder

Tifo

2010 prematch tifo vs LA Galaxy with Emerald City Supporters.

strike proved the difference maker.  LA beat Seattle twice in regular season, and twice in the playoffs.  Seattle defeated LA once last year in a US Open Cup match. So the Sounders come hungry and inspired to play for victory.

Starting in only its third season, Sounders FC are not looking for curtains to hide the mounting pressure to succeed.  Two consecutive US Open Cup titles demonstrate moderate success.  But the front office wants more, and has made it clear the goals are higher.  Fan support is top among Major League Soccer cities, including New York and LA.  So, Sounders FC owners want to reward fans with an MLS Cup. Anything less in season three means it’s time to find a new drummer. The band will break up.  Everyone from coach Sigi Schmid, Kasey Keller, owner Adrian Hanauer, MLS.com, Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated.com, and just about anyone following Major League Soccer is in agreement on this one Sounders topic. Win now, or personnel changes will happen.

I’m not a fan of the “win now’ attitude.  Not that I’m opposed to the front office of my team, I just don’t believe “win now” is good in sports. Yet when you step back taking the high altitude Everest perspective, Major League Soccer appears to be lacking spark and electricity.  The first thing you notice is a single giant spotlight coming from one city among the current 18.  There are a couple new flickers coming from nearby Portland and Vancouver.  Salt Lake City has a fun hazy glaze, but there is no telling whether that is fleeting or long-lasting.  If you were the front office of a popular club willing to sacrifice a little of your integrity for the larger perspective of a league, like MLS, then would “win now” become a more easily adaptable campaign strategy?  Memories of a failed NASL still surface for many sports writers and fans who are hesitant to embrace soccer.  To gain more interest and better media exposure one might consider what Sounders FC brass is doing as tactically business savvy and smart.  Play the “all in” make it or break it card.  It means every match at home or on the road is crucial.  It’s publicity 101.  It’s TV time, advertising dollars, and definite Rock-n-Roll tactics for bigger exposure.  Will you be laughed at and taunted?  You bet your “Sex Pistols” you will.  Is an epic failure likely?  You bet your Charlie Sheen sitcom it is.  Is it worth it in the end?  You bet your Pearl Jam World Tour it is.

 

Los Angeles Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy - MLS Cup 2002, 2005

“Win now” is not the best way to tell a story about your passion to children.  The beauty of the story fades into business rhetoric and the names of people and their amazing efforts and accomplishments become diminished or completely overlooked.  Soundbites wipe away prose. The ethos is lost forever in a sea of statistics.  Business takes passionate, creative, aesthetic qualities and spits out cheap ad campaigns.  Yet on rare days everything comes together and perfect moments are created.  Henry V, addressing his brave but weary men-at-arms before fighting the mighty french at Agincourt.  Joe Montana finding Dwight Clark at the back of the end zone.  Maybe tomorrow is that time for Sounders FC.  A perfect moment that comes together when all the outstanding ownership business efforts, all coaching tactics and practice pitch drills, and 36,000 of the loudest Rave Green supporters come together to form the start of a victorious season.  This is time for Sounders FC to “win now”.

 

________________

OK, I admit Qwest Field is no Agincourt, and Sales on Sounders, no Henry V.  But if I were to make a speech at the March to the Match when supporters and Sound Wave band gather in Occidental Park, this would be my Henry V like speech.  I hope you enjoy the speech and tune in to the primetime match.

Brothers, Sisters, Sports-fans, tomorrow we March to the Match.  Our young Rave Green welcome the mighty veterans of Las Angeles into Rave Green Hell.  A place we call our home.  Using the chanted power of our loudest voices we will inspire victory. There will be no more tomorrows, there will only be time for victories.  We will win now!!!

Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders 'til I die - WIN NOW!


 


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Dear Santa, It’s a Sounders Christmas Wish

1 09 2010

Imagine it is Christmas Day.  Then imagine you are 7 years old, or 5, maybe 6, even 4 will do.  Your “Dear Santa”, Christmas wish letter, written in crayon scribbled clarity surely reached the North Pole by now?  You ache for Christmas morning.  Despite a short dream of marshmallows, candy canes, mom singing Christmas carols, ninja reindeer, and a rocket bobsled.  It was a sleepless night.  Your aching for morning reaches climax.  You explode from your bed into spirals of clothes.  In a single thrust and splat you are downstairs.  Is there proof he came?  The cookie you left him?  Oh yes, it is gone alright.  The sprinkled crumbs over a short scribbled note written on the napkin you left him, are absolute proof.  ”Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas”.  Presents are stacked, wrapped in sparkle, flicker, and bows all around the tree.  Definite absolute proof.  He was here.  Now that his presence delivering presents has been proved, it is only about one present.  The one you cast your wish for.  The one you took time to specifically write him for.  The one you wish for above all others.  Did he get your letter?  Did it get to the North Pole in time?  Was it lost in a blizzard?  You lost sleep over this one.  Over everything else, you want this one.  Concept of space and time is useless.  You feel swirled and stuck, captured in still life with Christmas tree and aching desire.  Then comes the joyful misery of outrageous and extensive morning ceremony.  You die a little with each firework-flashbulb-snapshot of pleasantry.  Nothing.  Your letter was lost.  Your letter didn’t matter.  Santa never even read it.  It is over as quickly as it came.  Your wish got lost up the chimney.  Then, through the blur of misery and spectacle a voice says, “did you see the one in the corner?”  Nothing was missed.  This thought confuses you.  Is this ridicule?  With your cosmic accurate radar, ultra powered precision laser beam, and brain inserted sonar present detector there is no possible way you missed, “the one in the corner”.  Like a police officer on duty, you oblige the voice, turn to the corner and walk toward it like a cowboy in a sundown showdown.  There will be no ridicule here.  A child’s lost wish is on the line.  Bundles of bows and torn sparkle paper from the other, mostly fun presents, are pushed aside.  Static electricity, hair standing, you are frightened by the impossibility there is one left in the corner.  You surge forward, “could this really, truly be the one”?  You muse the possibility, for an instant.  Shreds of ribbon and paper fly.  In thrill and delight you reveal, a box.  A box?  Death by ridicule.  You faint.  You have lost all desire to ever, ever wish for anything ever, ever again.  Again the voice.  ”Well, aren’t you curious what’s inside”?  No decorations and lots of heavy tape.  The plainness disappoints you.  The words “Dining Room Dishes” in thick black marker confuses you, especially in a morning of super fantastic spectacular.  In certain defeat you stare down the box.  You poke and pick at the tape with one finger.  Then two. three, both hands join in the sudden scratch and tear of fury from lost hope.  The last shred of tape torn away.  The flaps of the box pulled back.  Christmas tree lights shine inside the box like hundreds of flashlights pointing the way in a dark cave.  Peering inside, doubt and icecap like disappointment slowly melt away.  Something larger than love swells all around you.  It is come true.  This is your Christmas wish.

I have not had the glorious pleasure of celebrating the passing of that moment to a son or daughter.  Challenges in having children has been a dark life challenge.  Yet, in this 41-year-old frame, I’ve found my child’s age in my own unique sports franchise.  No imagining or wishing. It is real, and I am part of it.  I didn’t inherit an existing team.  One entrenched in the local community for generations.  Instead, I’ve been part of starting one.  In Seattle, there is a long settled belief that we are a likely candidate for Soccer Capitol of America.  Our fan base was tops when the Sounders joined the NASL in 1974, and the entire league was crumbling in certain decline when we left a decade later in 1984.  We have been ready and waiting ever since.  Waiting for our Christmas wish to have a “top flight” club.  No “A-League”, no “USL“.  We have wanted only what we felt was the right kind of soccer.  ”Top Flight”, “Premiership”, “Major League”.

2010 US Open Cup

Finally, unwrapped in confetti and fireworks in March 2009, the Sounders jumped out of a plain box sports league, Major League Soccer.  From the start Sounders FC leapt in with international expectations never sought by any US team from any US sport.  Success in Seattle is a self-imposed demand stated above even the most hopeful wishes other franchises have started with.  Winning an MLS Cup league title is not good enough.  Sounders want to be number one in the world.  The first US team to win a FIFA Club World Cup.

As the Sounders battled through the 2009 US Open Cup, every owner and supporter sweated with grasped scarves and crossed fingers.  Would we have winning action to support our wishful words?  In the Sounders final two USL seasons leading up to MLS expansion they made their presence felt in the US Open Cup.  Reaching the semi-final in both 2007 and 2008.  Knocking out a handful of MLS teams in the process.  Then came the start of the 2009 inaugural Major League Soccer season.  Sounders FC started league play going 3-0 and were swept up in a whirlwind of Rave Green hysteria.  Quietly, they began US Open Cup Play-In qualification rounds.  With none of the same excitement and press as the inaugural matches the Sounders qualified for the 2009 US Open Cup.  The matches were played at 5,000 seat Starfire in Tukwila.  The matches sold out but didn’t have the same newsworthiness.  Plus the team was really copying its previous USL achievements.  They pushed all the way to a third straight semi final.  The opponent was the powerful Houston Dynamo.  It appeared a pat on the back was all that was in store for our young MLS franchisee.  Late in stoppage-time, tied 1-1, his head wrapped like a wounded soldier, Nate Jaqua scored the winning goal.  ESPN did not show Nate’s dazzling winning goal on Sports Center.  It should have.  Because forget that it is soccer, forget it was in Tukwila, forget it is only the US Open Cup, it was one of the more entertaining and exciting highlight worthy sports finishes.  After heated debate over where the final would be played, a slighted Sounders FC ownership had to bow to the whims of Major League Soccer’s lovechild DC United.  They would fly to RFK stadium to face the leagues most beloved and storied franchise on its home pitch.  Seattle went on to win 2-1.  Two hundred Sounders fans flew to DC and nearly out roared United’s 20,000.  Winning the 2009 US Open Cup trophy in our inaugural season sent a message to the league that Sounders is more than talk.

With the 2009 US Open Cup victory, Sounders FC gained its first opportunity at international glory.  A 2010 CONCACAF Champions League Play-In match vs Isidro Metapan.  A decent stepping stone for a franchise entering only its second season.  Sounders defeated Isidro Metapan in a 2-leg play-in series for CONCACAF Champions League qualification.  Winning at home 1-0, and drawing away 1-1.  The Sounders won on aggregate goals 2-1.  This placed Seattle into the CONCACAF Champions League group stages.  The Sounders drew Group C with Saprissa, Marathon, and mighty Monterrey of Mexico.  Easily the “group of death” of the 2010 Champions League.   How delicious.  How wishful.  Only season two, and the Sounders play their first meaningful international matches.  The US Open Cup may be as plain-box a tournament as we have in the US.  Little exposure, and “dining room dishes” written on top of the box.  Yet, if you have an ounce of competitive passion in you and believe you know what love for sport is, then this tournament is the best American Christmas wish US Soccer has to offer.

The US Open Cup started in 1914.  One of the oldest tournaments of its type in the world of soccer.  However until Major League Soccer started in 1996, when DC United won the US Open Cup, no team you or I ever heard of had won the tournament.  It allows professional and amateur teams to compete.  Since 1996 when MLS joined, only one non MLS club has won.   The Rochester Raging Rhinos won in 1999.  The Sounders were close in 2007 and 2008.  No other professional American team sport has a competitive tournament like this.  Tournaments where, let’s say, Durham could potentially face the Yankees.  In soccer it happens each year in the US Open Cup.

I wished for this.  An imagination gift.  A plain box club in a plain box league.  Add a Rave Green shirt, a few fireworks and confetti to the sheer magic of 35,000 + fans.  It became everything I wished for.  That one hidden gift in the corner.

In November 2007 I paid $100.00 to become approximately the 670th supporter to reserve 2 seats to a team with no name.  No colors, no players, and not even a completed ownership group.  Drew Carey, while not the primary owner, brought a spark of personal touch rarely seen.  The “Scarf Seattle” campaign turned the concept of a brown box start-up franchise inside out.  Even when Beckham plays, no MLS attendance reaches 30,000.  With the second season completed, the Sounders are closer to an average attendance of 40,000 than most MLS teams are to 25,000.  The Sounders are closer to 40,000 than the LA Galaxy are to 30,000.  The Galaxy even have Landon Donovan and David Beckham.  Yet this Sounders team grows on something bigger than love.  It is connected from city to owner to player to supporter, and anyone who has waited on an unopened wish.  The team loves its fans back.

(Below section was written prior to the the Sounders 2nd US Open Cup Final appearance in as many years against the Columbus Crew.)

Tomorrow, the Sounders have a chance no team in American sports history has ever had.  The chance to open that surprise, wished for package in the corner.  The Yankees have not opened anything like it.  The Cowboys never even looked to see if such a wish was there.  The Steelers have long since had their heads down counting rings.  The Red Wings, all too often thawing octopus.  The Blackhawks still dazed and confused by the end of their Stanley Cup drought.  The Giants are more excited about a possible future Super Bowl in winter in New York, and Red Sox folk are all still writing and publishing stories about how bad things were before they got so great.  Even Jordan never found this plain brown package in the corner.  Tomorrow, Seattle Sounders FC, in year two make their fourth straight US Open Cup semi-final appearance against Chivas USA.  A win for Seattle not only gives them a chance to defend their 2009 title, but to do it playing in front of 36,000 Rave Green supporters at Quest Field.  An additional match not on the schedule at the start of the season.  This could be the cake match.  The wished for gift that only seems to appear as a child.  A childish franchise, the Sounders have an opportunity to play for Everything any team could ever hope for.  Wednesday, September 1st 2010, could be the day.  Why?  A second US Open Cup is a second ticket to international competition in Champions League 2011.  Reach the Knock-Out stages after Group play and the sky is the limit.  World supremacy could be achieved.

It is sport after all.  So from this plain brown box gift in the corner there could just as easily be a broken Christmas day child’s toy.  Or it could also be proof that as adults sometimes something bigger than love, or common understanding exists and springs true from the most unlikely places.  Tomorrow, I ask you to believe.  Even if it is for Chivas USA.  They are 5 years old, and they’ve never won anything.  Believe in this game tomorrow.  It is our country’s cup.  Our US Open Cup.  This is our history and be part of opening it up.  My 5 year-old nephew started Kindergarten today.  I want him to live his dreams.  Maybe I can set an example for him tomorrow in the most unexpected place.  The brown box sport in the corner marked in thick, dark marker, “Soccer”.

March to the Match with US Open Cup

2009 US Open Cup presented to supporters by owners in march to regular season match

This picture is from the Sounders 2009 US Open Cup.  Not an AP photo or from the Getty archive.  This is a photo from my Sounders photo album.  Our owners let us have it to march with in celebration of our 2009 Open Cup victory.  I think of it as Christmas Day 2009.  An average Rave Green match-day with a bunch of usual Sounder FC supporters, marching to an ordinary plain box regular season soccer match.

Love,
Sales on Sounders elf


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Categories : 2010

Galaxy Hero & American Hero

3 07 2010

Round 15 vs LA Galaxy

Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle are back from South Africa.  With both Galaxy teammates back from a successful World Cup filled with buzzing Vuvuzela and a wild Jabulani ball, an already  relative-successful Galaxy team will likely skyrocket up the charts and go platinum.  Beckham, is the only Galaxy star left to arrive, and is likely to return during the playoffs.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy - MLS Cup 2002, 2005

This is a story of two teams headed in opposite directions.  LA Galaxy are close to securing the Supporters Shield for best record in the MLS.   The Supporters Shield would establish them as the pole position club entering the playoffs.  Earning home field advantage throughout.  The Sounders however are falling.  On the verge of seeing a repeat appearance in the playoffs slip out of reach.  Seattle sits two games out of playoff position.  The only way in is winning.  Draws will only begin to hurt slightly less than losses.  Facing LA is the start of an intense two months of over scheduled matches for the Sounders.  With many weeks having two matches scheduled.

The Galaxy stayed a reasonably good team with Donovan and Buddle out for the World Cup.  With them in the lineup, the Galaxy seem unstoppable.  Or are they?  Fresh from the World Cup, Donovan and Buddle will certainly play, but likely need a couple of games to readjust to the pacific time zone.  Both World Cup players will likely be subbed out early.  Meaning LA will also have to be creative in their lineup and use of substitutions.  Those may only be small weaknesses, but the Sounders have proved to be good at exposing detailed weaknesses in other teams.  It’s finishing the chances they create that is the Sounders Achilles’ heel.

The Sounders simple key to the match is attack and posses.  Teams are tentative when attacking LA Galaxy’s high defensive line.  Yet the Sounders exposed that weakness against LA in their first meeting.  Unfortunately, LA scored a fluke goal just before the 1/2 hour mark of that meeting at Quest Field.  That goal completely brought what had been a great Sounders build up to a halt.  LA went on to crush the Sounders 4-nil.  What that score never showed was that a Sounders goal before halftime and the outcome may have looked quite different.  All of that said, no excuses can be made for the Sounders let down in that game.  LA’s efforts to expose their weaknesses were successful.  Nonetheless, it gives a seam of hope to Sounders faithful to know that the Independence Day match at Home Depot Center may not be the homecoming reception Donovan and Buddle are hoping for.

One last moment for Landon Donovan.  He is not a traditional #10.  Compared with say Zinedine Zidane, or Wayne Rooney.  He is no doubt deserving of being the US #10 as it has even more to do with his heart, passion, leadership, and determination than beautiful Brazilian skill.  I think Donovan represents the first uncovered truth of what the “US style” is.  Watching him play this world cup was so wonderful.  His goal smashed into the roof of the net against Slovenia, was the finest goal scored by an American in the World Cup in my soccer consciousness.  Topping that, not in form, but in intensity was his Prayer in Pretoria goal.  The winning extra-time goal against Algeria.  Donovan comes home a hero.  He put soccer in a spotlight it has never been in the United States.  Tomorrow, Galaxy fans will stand and salute him.  I will join LA fans to salute him as a Sounder and a proud American.  Thank you Donovan.  The US has arrived on the pitch of the beautiful game with you as our hero.

Post Match

For my Independence Day I had a wonderful Sales Family Reunion.  A full on family kickball game.  Complete with thorn bushes, towering smashes with one hand catches, and slow dribblers that are, well, best described as inside the infield homers.  The best and by far most imaginative family reunion game I’ve ever played was the Chicken Toss.  Nope, not like an egg toss.  In this more creative version, you slingshot a tiny hand sized rubber chicken.  Each one identical, except for the identifying number written in black on its belly.  The one who could sling the rubber chicken the furthest won.  We scattered about 30.  The rubber chicken carnage was beautiful.  I think this is what they were actually made for.  My cousin Mark orchestrated this, and as far as i know was the mastermind innovator.  Another game was the time-tested, classic “500″.  Played with a frisbee in this edition.  Which proved as physical, foul prone, and injury ridden as some soccer matches.  There is nothing like seeing the beautiful intensity of mom or dad lovingly push their children aside for a 100 point catch.  Only to have children grab the next one right out of their parents hands.  ”You can’t do that”.  ”I just did, and that just happened”.  ”That’s another 100, thank you”.  Trust me when I say I only barely exaggerate.  Because the rolling twisted heel was quite real.  In good family tradition, the game continued while mom iced.  Even at peaceful family reunions, competitive family games must continue.  Almost like a Monty Python family reunion, “ah play-on children, ’tis only a twisted ankle, it’s not as if my leg’s chopped off’”.

Anyhoo, the Sounders and LA played, and . . . the family reunion was more competitive.  My Uncle Bill was so awesome and gracious in listening to me talk about how exciting the Sounders have been.  Unfortunately, it turned out to be as poor and unexciting as they have been.  My Uncle Don and Aunt Carolyn were so wonderful to host the reunion, and let me have the game on.  Thankfully Zakuani scored, and at least proved the Sounders have some heart and skill.  The game was so bad, the only good thing I could say is that the Sounders played much, much better in their 4-nil loss to LA at home.  I should have turned this 3-1 loss off.  Walked away.  I wasn’t “watching alone” so no supporter rules would be broken.

“Where’s my rubber chicken?  May I borrow that slingshot?”


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