Winter of Intent – Toronto FC at Sounders FC

17 03 2012

Initially, the Sounders warmed one step closer to playing for a first ever Champions League title.  Then the Sounders were hit with a cold blast of reality in Torreón, Mexico on Wednesday.

After winning their first leg in CONCACAF Champions League on March 7th, 2-1 over Santos Laguna of Mexico, the Sounders looked to be in good shape for advancing from the two leg series.  A win in Mexico and it was on to the Semifinals vs the winner of LA Galaxy vs Toronto FC.

At half time of the second leg, 135 of the 180 minutes completed in the 2 leg series, Sounders and Santos were level 3-3 on aggregate.  But a cold blast of Mexican soccer superiority chilled the Sounders into letting 4 goals slide through in the final 45 minutes, putting their current Champions League run into icy extinction

Up North a bizarre soccer climate-change took place for Toronto.  After their first leg with the LA Galaxy, the 2011 MLS Cup Champions, the score was level 2-2.  But LA had scored two away goals.  So, playing at home in their California warmth, a 0-0 second leg would advance the Galaxy.  With all the big $ money signings by LA, Juninho, Beckham, Donovan, Edson Buddle, and Irish international striker Robbie Keane, Toronto was sure to be schooled.  Galaxy ownership even went so far as to make it clear that now is the time for their “international branding”.

Aron Winter, the Toronto FC manager didn’t get the LA superiority memo.  He employed a 3-6-1 (three fullbacks, stacked six in midfield, and 1 up top) formation vs Bruce Arena’s Galaxy.  That further made people certain, that with only three questionable quality backs, Toronto was doomed. LA offensive power was penciled in for a certain 3 goals netted on the night.

Toronto frustrated LA.  The Galaxy never found their decisive and dominant scoring touch.  Even when Irish sensation, Keane got in on goal one v one with Toronto keeper, Milos Kocic, Keane’s touch was turned away cold.

The Dutch are known for their famous “total football” history.  They are the best soccer country in the world to never win a world cup.  Their football is Barcelona football.  No country has shaped the tactics of international football more than the Dutch.  Short on international glory, they are high on understanding, creativity, and confidence.  They are “Total Football”.

Aron Winter used his tactical Dutch background, and what appeared to be a misty, potent-less 3-6-1 formation into LA and walked out 2-1 victors (4-3 aggregate).  They move on to face Santos Laguna in the semifinals.

Has Toronto suddenly risen as a power?.  Are they the hidden Yetti from the North?  A warm and cuddly exterior, but monstrous ability to rip apart the best of MLS?

Crushed, the Sounders have to recover quickly. They host their MLS season opener tonight at CenturyLink against that same ecstatic Toronto FC.

The 7pm match will be weather effected from showers, to near freezing, to wind, to snow, or some mix of all.  Usually a sure Sounders advantage.  But Aron Winter has his squad warmed to the intent of quietly knocking any opponent aside.  His overachieving Toronto squad is already adjusted to the Pacific timezone and their heart-of-champions mentality is unshaken and warmed to anything the Sounders throw at them.

They knocked off the MLS Cup Champions, LA Galaxy.  They smashed the Galaxy brass international branding attempts.  They turned Canada on top of US in boasting MLS Champions League success for now.  So, knocking out Seattle on opening day in front of 40,000, probably sounds like a fun Disney theme ride to Aron’s Dutch thinking Canadian Club.

The pressure will be on heavily favored, and heavily tasked Sounders Manager, Sigi Schmid to once again find an answer.  He has precedence here. He’s found those answers before.  An impossibly packed August, 2011 schedule was turned into the Sounders most successful month with 7-wins, 0-losses, 1-draw.  But Sigi has also been at the helm of the Sounders three disappointing MLS Playoff runs, and an opening day loss to LA Galaxy 1-nil last year.

Can the Sounders warm to Toronto’s winter blast?  Or is Toronto the surprise of MLS 2012?

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan 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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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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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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Categories : 2010

Disruptors & Distractors

30 05 2010

Round 11 vs Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids

Like San Jose, Colorado is another of the original MLS teams.  Twice appearing in the MLS Cup final but coming up short both times.  They also sport a US Open Cup in their trophy case, but it’s a bit dustier than the Sounders, as it came in 1999.  Two interesting historical points link the Sounders and Rapids.  The first is a personal side note, and US Mens National Team back up Goaltender, Marcus Hahnemann.  Hahnemann helped the A-League Sounders to back-to-back titles in ’95 and ’96.  Directly after their second championship in ’96 against the Rochester Rhinos, I met Hahnemann.  Actually it was more like the Mean Joe Greene, Coca-Cola add from the ’80′s.  He threw me his sweaty water bottle.  Yes, I did take a swig, and kept it as a proud souvenir.  The second connection is Sounders current Technical Director, Chris Henderson who is still the Rapids all time assists leader with 53.

Seattle Sounders – circa 1996

The Rapids are a team of two faces.  Always as good as any team in the league, but not always in form.  Sounds a little familiar.  The bad face, is their two main goal producers, Conor Casey, and Omar Cummings, who can light up the score board with the best, but have not been in top production form.  Meaning they could be due for a break-out game.  The good face, is a brilliant face.  Conor Casey was left off the US Mens National Team World Cup squad, barely.  Some say he should be there.  He was the 2nd leading scorer in MLS last year and has struggled this year.  Showing how quickly a player goes from being in form to out of form.  Edson Buddle, for LA Galaxy is amazingly in form this year, so he’s on the plane to South Africa while Casey stays home.  Is that fair?  To be continued . . .   My World Cup posts are coming soon.
Now back to the main event.  Those two, Casey and Cummings have not been in form but both are strong, quick and able to score in multiple ways all around the attacking end.  They are backed up in midfield by US World Cup 2006 standout Pablo Mastreoni.  Their defense is also strengthened by another US standout, Marvel Wynne, who played well for the US in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  The Rapids have the skill and intensity to be a MLS Cup contender, but they have not yet found that playoff bound groove.

Sounder 'til I die

Seattle comes to the Rapids home pitch in Commerce City, Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.  They bring baggage of similar sounding issues to Colorado.  Difficult time finishing up front, great potential, but struggling to find their form.  So the game presents a perfect test for one team to rise above the other and attempt to gain mid-season momentum.  Seattle’s electric defeat of the Boca Juniors 3-0 in their mid-week friendly, hopefully sparked the team into preparation for Colorado’s physical toughness.

What the Sounders need to do is play with intensity from the start.  Rather than sit back as they did against San Jose.  Push the ball wide, create passing lanes in the Rapids defense, and get their chances on net.  Make the Rapids Keeper have to work.  If we keep him busy, good things will happen.  If we let the Rapids dictate the pace and possess the ball, it could be another frustrating night for Sounders FC.  This is not a “must win” game, but it is a “should not lose” game.  A draw tonight would be well received.

One player on the Sounders who could step up tonight to help the Sounders cause is Fredy Montero.  He may not be a pure goal “finisher” as some have stated about him.  His new role could be possibly more beneficial.  During the Boca Juniors match, he did not score, but he was a disruptor.  Tonight in the game against the Rapids his disruptor role could change the game.  It would force defenders to play him more tightly, but leave more Sounders unmarked.  It would also leave the Rapids defense unsure where Seattle’s attack will come from.  That could also help give the little extra moment for Zakuani, or Ljungberg to come in on goal or set up an assist.  Montero’s disruptor role could become defined for him tonight.  No pressure for him to finish, just put pressure on the other team all night long.

Post Match

“I don’t think we’ve walked off the field being an outplayed team.  We’ve got to keep working and keep our belief in ourselves, and the team spirit has to remain there”.
Sigi Schmid, after round 11”s 1-nil loss to the Colorado Rapids.

LA Galaxy being the exception.  The Sounders have played on the pitch as eloquently as Sigi speaks after a tough loss.  Falling to 3-5-3 is not how anyone saw this team.  It is a deep hole.  The Sounders are responsible for digging that hole.  Goals are all that could fill the empty void players, coaches and fans are feeling.  Because the on-field play is good enough to deserve a better record.  Sigi is right.  If the players keep their belief up, the way they are playing will earn better results.

Two players on their way to Sounders FC may help gain those results.  One is coming back from injury.  The other is new to join Sounders FC.  Nate Jaqua will rejoin Sounders FC in a week or two after recovering from a pre-season injury.  He provides a tall target up front.  A focus up top that will free Montero from his current do everything role.

FC Twente - The Tukkers

After the World Cup, Blaise Nkufo, the Swiss National Team striker joins Sounders FC from his former club FC Twente.   Blaise Nkufo, /Blaze Koo-foe/ has banked 114 goals for FC Twente, which brings a lot of hope to Sounders FC’s late season form.  No one man on his own can win a title.  But he can provide a spark of hope and distraction from frustration.  Nkufo brings experience, and an excited spirit to the team.  He will be fresh from South Africa.  Every player asking him the same questions as press, “what was it like?”  To the delight of all involved he will offer a distraction to all the usual questions about a disappointing season.  He will be covered in microphones, while the rest of the team prepares.  That is just what this team needs.  Distraction from disappointment and consistent work on game preparation.  That will keep the team spirit up and allow for good results to come.  Blaise will likely give the same on field distraction as he does off field.  Defenders will swarm Nkufo, like press junkies, leaving Montero marked by one defender instead of 2 or 3.  Ljungberg will have a tall target to provide him more ground and air options.

There are no guarantees in sports.  There is hard work, which allows the selfish belief in hope for great results.  In that type of sweat and hungry spirit there often lives a spark that makes those great results come true.  Sports is about watching the impossible become real.  Soccer is the essence of that truth.  This young team knows how to win.  They play like a winner.  Following the advice of their coach and incorporating two difference makers gives credibility to Sigi’s post-match comments.  All the elements exist for this team to find itself on a championship course.  If the players continue to work hard and believe the results will come.


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Categories : 2010

The Sounders, The World, and The Galaxy

7 05 2010

Round 8 vs LA (Buddles) Galaxy

Edson Buddle is taking on Major League Soccer on his own.  His Galaxy teammates have simply shrugged their shoulders and decided joyously to ride atop his.  So far he has proven during this young season to be Superman-capable of accomplishing such a feat.  Know his name.  By the end of the season, Edson Buddle will likely be holding a championship trophy, league MVP honor, and major factor in how far the US goes in the World Cup.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy - MLS Cup 2002, 2005

A half-dozen offers from English Premiere teams will also find his address.  I’m a Sounders fan, but this guy is for real.  A sudden cosmic blast in the soccer galaxy.  Watch him now, because his moment may be brilliant, but short.  He’s 30.  He knows the game, but the time for him to display it is much shorter than if he were starting to find his form at 22, like Steve Zakuani.  He displayed great talent before this season, but showed no signs of being capable of his current stats.  His name has often been followed by words like “talented” and “disappointment”.  Sadly, Charlie Davies, the star for the US in last years awesome run in the Confederations Cup, is out of the World Cup due to injury.  So a US Striker roster spot is available with only 35 days to get in form for the Galactic Clash with England.  Not official, just personal, I project Edson Buddle in the US starting lineup on June 12th.  He is the best pure striker in the US right now.

 

Games played:  7 Shots taken:  32 Shots on goal:  15 Goals:  9 Assists:  1 Team record:  6-W, 0-L, 1-D

England and US square off in Rustenburg, South Africa, in 35 days.  Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, march their undefeated MLS leading Galaxy into Seattle and are both likely to be featured for the US in the World Cup clash.  Saturday, we get to see them up close.  My pre match take on this growing rivalry is made simple by Buddle himself.  Stop him.  Landon Donovan is talented, but looks to pass before shoot.  Take Buddle away, the crowd noise creeps in, and no other Galaxy forward will find Buddle like Donovan does.  Watch crosses on the run.  The Sounders have already shown some issue in this area.  See Real Salt Lake, and most recently Columbus.  The factor is also key, don’t give up many close range free kicks and numerous corners.  Landon Donovan proved during his winter stint at Everton in England, that he is one of the best in the world at set pieces.  It’s OK to give him Saturday set piece duty off, so he has more time to prepare for England in June.

 

The Yanks

The Stars & Stripes

The Three Lions

The Three Lions

 

 


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Categories : 2010

A Thursday Night Frisco Affair

22 04 2010

Round 5 vs FC Da llas

Sounder 'til I die

Before 2005 FC Dallas were the Dallas Burn.  Their home is Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.  Welcome back to Sales on Sounders for a rare mid-week work night clash of the Red Stripes and Rave Green.  The player to watch on Dallas is Jeff Cunningham.  He is probably the most likely player in MLS to score two goals a game.  The Sounders did a fantastic job keeping him under wraps last year.  That will be crucial again in this match.  Surprisingly, he has struggled at the start of this season.  Meaning he’s over due.  He tallied 17 goals in 2009, and has over 120 in his MLS career.  He’s still an outside consideration for Bob Bradley’s US World Cup squad in South Africa this summer.  However the Galaxy’s Edson Buddle is building a strong case for his consideration.  Either way, Sounders defenders will have their hands full.  Cunningham is a striker with that rare talent for consistently finding the back of net.  Another player to target is Atiba Harris.  Harris scored at X-Box pitch last year.  FC Dallas is good at putting on an offensive show.  But their defense struggles at times.  They are more likely to give up a couple of goals and win 3-2 than pull out a 92nd minute Fucito Finish.  This is a mid-week showcase match, so expect to see Dallas a steal of the Sounders limelight.

Keys to the Match

Hoops

Nicknames; Hoops, Red Stripes, Toros, Burn, The Branders, Dallas 96

Without Nate Jaqua, or any tall target up front, Seattle will have to create chances built from possession.  The best defense on the road is pass possession moving the ball deep into the attacking third of the opponents half.  The simple wrap on Dallas is that they have a team that likes to score.  If they get in a groove they are as likely an MLS team to knock in 3 or 4.  If frustrated, slowed, pressed, and challenged hard, they will cave.  They can be exposed, and if the Sounders own ball possession and press Dallas, then Sounders will get the better chances to finish.  In full stride, Dallas can control the pace and keep a steady attack.  With the Sounders pressing forward this aspect of Dallas’s game will go away.  Expect Sigi to bring Ljungberg back into the midfield.  He and Alonso can work to lengthen Dallas’s midfield by feeding long passes to Montero and Noonan who will likely take forward positions.  Montero will likely be asked to take the high position and Noonan, a more back-to-goal, possession type forward.  If Noonan is successful, he could help take pressure off Ljungberg for setting the table.  If Noonan can set up a few good central attacking chances, then Zakuani can widen the Dallas defense allowing him to cross in or work the ball in himself.  As much as speed is usually a Sounder strength, they have a second game on Sunday.  So expect the speedy runs to only last about 35-40 minutes.  That means those long passes forward from our midfielders need to be on target.  That will strengthen our counter attacking options and allow pass possession to be more valuable than speed.

Bold prediction:  Seattle puts on an ESPN Game of the Week 3-2 goal display.

Post Match

There are times when my personal support for this team will possibly blur my vision.  But know this about me first; I believe in the growth and development of soccer in America for men and women at a first class professional level, even more than I support the Sounders.  Country before club!  That said, is the topic of water-boarding still inappropriate?  Is Goldman Sachs short selling tactics something to shelve for future consideration?  Is Iceland affected by global warming, or just really, really upset that they are not invited as the 33rd country for this years FIFA World Cup in South Africa?  Did Jason Yeisley intentionally dive to gain the late game stoppage time penalty kick for Dallas?  You better believe your European, flight delaying, volcanic ice cloud he did.  Should the ref have used his side linesman?   You better believe your bank reform laws, he should have.  Penalty kick #1 was a rare John Kennedy Hurtado mistake.  A missed clearance and poor decision.  Penalty kick #2 was a ref that needs work.

Once again, Seattle is relegated to the MLS test lab.  It feels like we are sometimes punished for our technical playing style, and strong fan support.  The MLS needs to improve, and in order to improve they need current, relevent material to demonstrate the necessity for change.  Since most MLS clubs play a clustered, physical defensive style the league is short on samples.  So, when you get a tactical team that prefers constant pressure to build an attack over defending, like Seattle, the league almost appears to roll its sweaty hands together and say,
“Ah, here is our chance.  Prepare the lab gentlemen, we have a living Rave Green specimen”.
That is the life of sports right?
To make the playoffs the math is still in the Sounders favor.  With 5 rounds played, there are 25 to go.  At 3 points per win, that puts 75 points still up for grabs.  The minimum playoff target number is 45.  After 5 rounds, with a 2W-1L-2D record the Sounders are sporting a reasonable 8 points on the season.
Confession:  I wrote that last bit just to relieve my head of the Texas size penalty call by the Lone Star Ref.  To forget that this happened, this supporter and the team must lick their wounds quickly.  Toronto is next.  They are a road match looming ahead on Sunday!  A loss there could hurt.  A draw or win could make this stretch of stoppage time, Ref-alooza matches seem like an early season obstacle to reach towards a greater accomplishment.  What is beautiful about these last 3 matches going to stoppage time, is that there is no more exciting Club Soccer being played anywhere in America.  Put down your NBA playoff schedules, set aside your NHL Stanley Cup craziness, forget about the NFL draft, MLB is early, the Sounders are the real deal in American sports right now.  If you aren’t checking them out, then you are missing out.  The only other sport with games as intense as the Sounders is Congress.

Here is my first completely, honestly, totally, non bias poll.

And lastly, you make the call.  Here is a link to the clip of Jason Yeisley going down.  Was this a Yeisley dive?  Or did the Seattle defenders cause a reprimandable offense impeding Yeisley’s progress and making the refs PK call valid?

Yeisley goes down.

Post your comments and let me know what you think.


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Categories : 2010


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