Wonder-Striker Wondolowski – Earthquakes at Sounders

31 03 2012

Two home matches, two wins.  Is there much more that could be, or should be made from the Sounders taking six points out of six possible in the first two matches of 2012?

if this MLS season is a Marathon potentially lasting until December, then I’m more concerned about the Sounders accumulating early injuries than points from victories.  On paper, the start is an improvement over the 0-W, 2-L start the club had at this time last year.  But injuries temper short-term success in a long season.

Collin Lamont (@ChamberECS on twitter) made an interesting observation about a “formidable lineup” of Sounders.  A nearly all injured lineup:  Josh Ford – Keeper, Adam Johansson – Defender, Mauro Rosales – Midfielder, Eddie Johnson – Forward, Brad Evans – Midfielder (game-time decision) Steve Zakuani – Midfielder, Michael Tetteh – Defender, Andrew Duran – Defender, Babayele Sodade – Forward

Names you don’t want to see on the injured list too long.

The talented Sounders depth will be pressed up against the wall.  That depth is often about season development, more than about being forced into action.  But the length of the Sounders current triage list will force many developing players into action.

With four of the Sounders first five goals in 2012, David Estrada is bringing Sounders depth to the surface.  As with Neagle and Fucito before him, there is a precedent in the Sounders camp for developing players rising to meet the challenge when injuries begin to mount.

Chris Wondolowski of San Jose Earthquakes - Most goals in MLS past two seasons.

If you are like me, when you are jumping and singing praise for your own clubs heroes, like Estrada, it’s hard to see any other players in MLS who deserve mention for their hard work and team-first work ethic.

Chris Wondolowski stands out.  The San Jose Earthquakes starting forward deserves the growing recognition he’s receiving.  He doesn’t take many days off.  When he’s not playing for the Earthquakes and tallying the most goals in MLS over the last two years, he’s working his way onto Jurgen Klinsmann’s, US Men’s National Team lineup.

Paired with the ever-present threat of Steven Lenhart, San Jose posses one of the more lethal 1-2 goal scorning punches in Major League Soccer.  The Sounders have the defensive strength and talent to stand tall to San Jose, but the challenge can’t be taken lightly.

Wondolowski has graduated from proving his role each week as a starter.  Now he’s proving his place above other goal scoring names like, Henry, Donovan, Montero, and Shea.  He wants to prove his efforts can lift San Jose up as a playoff threat, while solidifying his spot on the National Team.

San Jose will test the Sounders depth.

The Earthquakes are the most complete challenge for the Sounders so far this season.  They possess some of the same threat the Sounders faced in the attacking height that Toronto and Houston had.  But they posses a more attacking midfield.  Sounders need to be alert to the constant threat of a quick San Jose counter attack.  Their defense has been their leaky faucet, but has improved.  They will come in with a chip on their shoulder from being the team that lost to Keller in his last regular season appearance before retiring.

Sideline Notes

 

The Heritage Cup - Original NASL Clubs in MLS

Heritage Cup:  NASL is still alive in spirit.  San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps, Portland Timbers, and Seattle Sounders are all part of the continued history from their former NASL days.  Before Portland and Vancouver joined in 2011, the first Heritage Cup went to San Jose in 2009.  Sounders won the next two in 2010 and 2011.  Tonight is the first Heritage Cup match of 2012.

Last meeting:  The last meeting between San Jose and Seattle was the historic last regular season home match in front of goal for Kasey Keller.  October 15th, 2011, Sounders won 2-1 for Keller’s last home regular season match.  To mark the night as a historic date for the Sounders, there were memorable performances by the club and from Keller himself.  Sounders fell behind 1-0 to none other than Chris Wondolowski.  The lead would have increased had anyone other than Keller been in net.  Keller thrilled a crowd of over 50,000 by making of succession of 4 saves.  Diving, charging, going to turf, rising again, and knocking the ball away.  Rare to ever see many efforts like it.  Topping the night off, Sammy Ochoa and Fredy Montero scored two late Sounders goals to leave the crowd thrilled and give Keller a happy retirement memory.

Alonso = Honey Badger:  Osvaldo Alonso has had his tenacious style of winning balls back from quickly from other teams earn the midfielder the nick name “Honey Badger”.  For his efforts last week he earned a place on the Major League Soccer Best XI.

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Into Rave Green Air – Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders

2 11 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders, by Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

No one ever said climbing Everest was easy.  Good news for Sounders fans, it has been summited before.

After the bitter shellacking in Sandy, Utah on Saturday, the Sounders have slipped into a rarely summited soccer deficit, after slithering behind Real Salt Lake 3-nil.

“I was dreaming when i wrote this, so excuse if it goes astray”, but tomorrow the Sounders have to reach deep into their soul to rise to unlikely heights if they hope to ever party like it’s 1999. Even Prince is unlikely to re-brand and re-release his classic 80′s pop-album as Rave-Green Reign.  But Sounders faithful will no doubt set a record for loudest crowd cheering for the impossible.

Round-Two of this epic two leg quarterfinal is in Seattle. Both teams will be missing usual starters, but none more prominent than Sounders MVP candidate, Mauro Rosales. His absence changes the very balance of the Sounders attack and possession. That was clear without him in Sandy last Saturday. But hope was that he would be ready for Wednesday’s decisive second leg.

How will the Sounders compose a more possessive, attacking offense without him is the biggest question of the match. Who will they turn to for all the things Rosales did? Hold the ball to allow players to join the attack. Dissect defenses with passing that helped create a constant offensive threat. A final pass to an open player to find net, or take the final touch himself and sweetly place it into the open yawn of the opposing teams goal. Who will bring those traits to the pitch for the Sounders on Wednesday?

If any sliver of hope and miracle exists for the Sounders, it won’t come from one player. It will come from a complete team. A team that has fought bravely through injury deficits all season long. So much so, the team became known as a favorite to win their first MLS Cup. Not as the outcast “old grey mare” they initially appeared to be. Everyone forgot how the crushing blow to Steve Zakuani initially seemed to earn the Sounders a free excuse for complete collapse. Montero scored in that match where Zakuani went down, and the Sounders went on to win. And literally, the Sounders have never looked back.

Climbing up the ladder of the league to finish second was no fluke. But the beautiful effort may quickly be forgotten by one poor performance. Showing their will to fight, a will they have worn on their sleeve all year needs to be exposed once again. There is only one team in Major League Soccer capable of overcoming an Everest sized deficit. The Emerald City is home to the supporters of that very team. Thirty-six thousand supporters at Seattle’s Century Link Field base-camp hope to lift their brave men in Rave Green through the fog and into the icy-heights of sports rare air. A comeback for the ages.

I wish to thank in no small way, my brother Aaron Sales, Editor of Kiteboarding Magazine and his wonderful publishing group in Hood River, OR, for your support. Your creative and enthusiastic endeavors in capturing the world of sports and adventure in beautiful pictures and eloquent prose, makes everyone feel a little closer to realizing their wildest dreams. 

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales

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Salt Lake & Seattle make Soccer Prime Time – Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake

2 11 2011

Every major sport in America showcases its prime time matchups in early playoff rounds as well as championship finals. Sporting America has wondered, albeit not too intently, could Major League Soccer showcase a prime time quarterfinal matchup as exciting as a championship?

Major League Soccer has its answer. The Seattle Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake series showcases the most prime time quarterfinal matchup the league has featured to date.  A two-leg, quarterfinal series between the MLS regular season #2 and #3 clubs.

The home and home, aggregate goals series has all the necessary elements needed for prime time billing. Recognizable and outspoken coaches, top rated players, physical defenses, and prolific goal scoring. Sigi Shmid and Jason Kreis are two of the sports more recognizable and accomplished coaches. Each having championship experience. Both clubs feature league leading talent with top-billing going to Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman and Sounder’s Kasey Keller. Each club has physical and stingy defenses. Most importantly both clubs have prolific goal scoring. Sounders FC led the league with 56 goals, and 76 in all competitions.

The Prime Time Quarterfinal is a two-leg series. Each team hosts one 90-minute leg. With the better regular record, Seattle hosts the decisive second leg. If they have drawn even after both legs, Seattle has the home crowd advantage for overtime and penalty kicks, if needed. The club with the most aggregate goals after the combined 180 minutes from both legs advances to the semifinals.

What is “Attractive attacking soccer”, other than an overworked phrase used by sportswriters, coaches, clubs and the league to promote the sport? Sports fans aren’t fooled. Most MLS matches are tough, grind-it-out affairs featuring more attempted fouls than attempted shots. Most offensive build-ups end without a shot. More MLS clubs have defensive players with international experience than strikers.

With Real Salt Lake and Sounders FC “attractive attacking soccer” is an accurate description. These are two of the best, most fluid, creative, and attacking clubs in US Soccer. The series may come down to a defensive stop or incredible save, but not for a lack of attempts on goal from exciting offensive build-up by both clubs.

Osvaldo Alonso's 2 goals vs Comunicaciones secures 2011 CCL Quarterfinals

Key for both clubs success is a pair of the leagues toughest midfielders. Kyle Beckerman for Real Salt Lake, and Osvaldo Alonso for Seattle. You could think of them as quarterbacks initiating attacks, but both also possess defensive skills that kill other teams attacks. You will see the two of them running end to end for both 90 minute legs of this series. Which club handles their opponents versatile midfielder the best will have a tactical advantage.

Who has more regular season momentum? Some sports rely on regular season momentum. With other sports you throw out the regular season record and start over. Both thoughts apply here. Real Salt Lake was winless in their last six matches. Leaving questions about their midfielders and forwards readiness. At least that is what most people say. I would look more closely at Real Salt Lake’s veteran squad. Having won the 2009 MLS Cup and making the 2010 CONCACAF Champions Final gives them the ability to look past their weak finish to the season, and face Seattle with a new focus.

Seattle finished strong and most importantly boasts the best road record in Major League Soccer. Their season started on two losses and a rash of critical injuries. None more devastating than the broken leg to Steve Zakuani. Yet they continued to find numerous variations of players that scored in bunches and won in bunches. They led the league with 56 goals. Had a franchise best 18 wins, and a league best 9 wins on the road. Seattle’s 2011 success can be attributed as much to overcoming tough injuries as enjoying season long momentum. Not to be overlooked is their deep and talented bench.

* * * * * * * * * *

I graduated from Woodinville High School in 1988 and headed for the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City on a scholarship to study Theatre. When I wasn’t in class or rehearsing, a favorite pastime was following the Seattle Supersonics and Utah Jazz. A classic primetime NBA rivalry. Any time Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, and John Stockton went head to head, you knew tempers and talent would flare. Stockton dishing no-look passes to the Mailman (Karl Malone). Payton robbing the usually untouchable Stockton and perfectly dangling the ball mid-air for Kemp to smash down.

I was a lonely Sonic in a Jazz hungry town. Salt Lake loves it sports. Sound familiar. Seattle fans are known for the same reason. The Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders FC rivalry is new, but the Seattle vs Salt Lake rivalry has established sports tradition sure to come out in this prime time series.

* * * * * * * * * *

Seattle’s growing list of accomplishments after three seasons:

Three consecutive US Open Cup Championships. Two consecutive appearances in Champions League. Currently in the quarterfinal knock-out stages. Three consecutive playoff appearances. Three regular season winning records. Zero losing records on the road.  Three season combined road record is 20-W, 14-L, 13-D. Second only to the LA Galaxy during the last three season.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Kasey Keller Day – Seattle Sounders FC vs San Jose Earthquakes

15 10 2011

I’m not exactly 100% sure what the time line was. I was graduating from high school. Still kind of selfish. Arguing with my dad occasionally about work, money, and other priorities. Stuff. I got a scholarship to head to Salt Lake City to study theatre at the University of Utah. My dad drove me from Seattle and dropped me off there. I don’t recall much road-trip conversation about soccer heroes.

Somewhere in between graduating, relocating to Utah, and showing my dad I can make it in the world. I heard about this other kid, same age, from Olympia, Washington. A Goal Keeper to watch. Youth with promise. That sort of thing.

No doubt, it was not long after that I started reading about him occasionally in the Seattle Times.

Keller lifting Cascadia Cup 2011

My soccer career, as for playing, had already ended. When I entered high school, I went straight for varsity Cross-Country, and made the cut. Bicycling, running, violin, and theatre were everything to me. Soccer had fallen off the shelf. That and the fact our high school forwards looked something out of the German National Team youth system.  My 5′-8″ frame was small. Height was too much a priority for the sport at that time. Maradona was considered a one of a kind phenom, and Messi wasn’t on the scene yet.

Sounders players Osvaldo Alonso, Michael Fucito, and James Riley will inspire an entire generation of kids whose skill attributes, like agility, endurance, and consistency will matter more than height. It pleases me to know that the next generation of soccer players will have a more equitable variance in size.

As a senior in high school, my friend Dawn Schuller nudged me into co-coaching a 9-year old girls, first year soccer team.  I found enough inspiration in that experience to consider dropping college and only coach soccer. I couldn’t see the future in that. So, I went to college to study theatre and become an actor.

Kasey Keller’s name didn’t jump up in many theatre circles. In between a theatre conservatory-esque regime of classes; movement, voice, and theatre history, there wasn’t much room for soccer.

Being the sports-0-phile I’ve always been, I knew who he was and continued to follow his rise up the ladder of the US National Team.

Most people will tell you about his Gold Cup victory over Brazil with the US National Team in 1998. A stunning 1-nil win over the Beautiful Game’s greatest nation. Not me. I’ll tell you how cool it is he lived in a castle in Germany, received an invitation from the King os Spain, and played soccer in England. Above all, I’ll tell you about his relegation battle at Fulham.

Kasey Keller fights for every game no matter what is at stake. In 2006 the US fizzled disappointingly at the World Cup. Keller went to Fulham in the English Premier League. They fell near the bottom of the league in 2007 and headed for relegation. HIs move appeared a possible last stop in his career. Two Seattle area Keepers dueled to stay above the relegation line. Marcus Hahnemann with Reading, and Keller with Fulham. it was a famous and glorious relegation battle.

Height takes a back seat to Osvaldo Alonso's 2 goals vs Comunicaciones in CCL

Difficult to describe what happened next. There is no US equivalent. We measure teams success by what they do at the top of the table. Bottom table teams are just holding out for draft choices to help rebuild. In soccer leagues around the world, there is glory at the top of the table. But the place settings are few and the guest list doesn’t change much.

Three teams at the bottom of the table are relegated to the league below. Three teams in the league below are promoted above. Those relegation battles draw crowds, cameras, and conversation no different from who makes the sweet sixteen. Keller dug in and Fulham planted a historic survival flag. A battle that went to the last match of 2007. It could have been a fitting end, but he heard the Sounders calling.

Sometimes heroes hear their calling. I’ve struggled with following my own passions. How to make them part of my life in a way that earns a living. At a young age Keller heard his calling to be a professional athlete and stayed true to that path. So, when the Sounders called it was no surprise that the US International Soccer hero jumped back across the pond to make his last professional stop at home.

Captain Kasey Keller #18

At the end of Keller’s second year with the Sounders, his contract was renewed. Instead of a bidding process for more money. Keller offered less. He offered $50,000 less than he could have taken. That $50,000 found Mauro Rosales. This is sports. Just entertainment at the end of the day. But with Keller it’s much more. School in session. Sacrifice personal reward for the greater achievements of your family and community. For your club.

In his third year with the Sounders, their third year in existence, he is the team Captain and soccer icon we have always wanted. 62,000 will take part in his retirement ceremony. Leaving no less than what all sports in America needs. An example of hard work, leadership, and desire to win no matter what is at stake

Kasey Keller Day is officially upon us. 62,000 will take part in his retirement. One fan finds himself reflecting on his own life’s soccer influence, and taking account of future goals. As Keller retires from soccer, I find myself more and more compelled to be part of its growth. Keller’s achievements inspire and bring together the core for me of what sports are about. A club rising to the occasion to represent the city that hosts it. Keller has brought both club and community together. As he retires, I can’t help feel that he has united Seattle into something special for decades to come. Inspiring us in sport, classroom, and life.

 

Dedicated to Dawn Schuller – She is my personal soccer Captain and hero.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Going for Three – US Open Cup Final – Chicago Fire vs Sounders FC

4 10 2011

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup - Sounders FC 2009, 2010

Two time defending Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Champions, Seattle Sounders FC  are hosting their second consecutive US Open Cup final with hopes of winning their third in a row. A statement for claiming sporting dynasty.

CenturyLink attendance for Tuesday’s Championship match is expected to exceed the record-breaking crowd at previously named Qwest Field, which held 31,311 in last years final.

It is no Super Bowl. Not even a Major League Soccer Championship. It is a quirky tournament mixing professional and amateur soccer clubs. Featuring competition formatting that includes unique functions, like play-in matches, and bids to host the final. It’s also filled with varying club names like Kitsap, Bethlehem, Greek-Americans, Maccabi, and Pancyprian-Freedoms. All oddities aside, it is 98 years of the best of American soccer.

The Sounders could lay claim to a US Open Cup Dynasty.

Having played in the semifinal five consecutive years, and defending the title for the past two, a third consecutive trophy would place them among the best of the Cup’s history. The accumulative achievement over three years would earn merit that sports-teams in more popular sports leagues gain from winning as few as one championship.

A Major League Soccer Championship would earn that type of merit. But until that time the difficult challenge of budget-caps and parity in league play make the US Open Cup a more reasonable accomplishment for newer MLS clubs to aim for. It also provides a door to exposure in Champions League play.

A Sounders win would be the first three-peat since the New York Greek-Americans from 1967-1969. Not to be outdone, the Chicago Fire could win their fifth ever US Open Cup. Joining only Bethlehem Steel and Maccabi Los Angeles to accomplish the feat.

It is an unusual type of tournament formatting that allows clubs who make the semifinals to bid on hosting the final. Some feel this formatting is overly biased and have gone as far as saying Sounders have bought the cup. Yet, no one blinks when advertisers shell out millions to bid for brand-placement and TV-ad spots during Super Bowl programming. My response is to defer nay-sayers to the Chicago Fire. Don’t say stuff like that to Chicago Fire’s Goalkeeper, Sean Johnson.  And don’t be surprised if one day he follows in the footsteps of Sounders retiring legendary Goalkeeper, Kasey Keller.

US Open Cup - Sounders FC Defending '09 & '10 Champions

The Chicago Fire have rested players, arrived in Seattle two days early, and adapted to time-zone change. They will come out tomorrow feeling like a strong young boxer with an unexpected knockout punch.

Finding success in Major League Soccer’s playoffs has eluded the Sounders in their first two seasons. Hoisting US Open Cups in both seasons has successfully launched them into the thick of CONCACAF Champions League. Winning the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup earns a birth in the Champions League Play-In round. The Sounders advanced from that into Group Stage play both years. Last year they fell far short of advancing further  This year they have advanced to the Quarterfinals with one Group Stage match remaining.

Winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt, US Open Cup 2-1 over Columbus Crew, Seattle became the first club to qualify for the 2011 Champions League. Last week during a Champions League match with Comunicaciones from Guatemala, Sounders fell behind twice. Then played like champions to level both deficits and earn a hard-fought draw. The point earned from that draw in Guatemala gave the Sounders FC enough points to become the first team to advance to the Quarterfinals of Champions League.

As quirky as the Open Cup is, nothing replaces winning. The confidence in being a champion comes from playing like a champion in matches where stakes are highest.

More efforts are needed to endorse the Cup’s unique American sporting history. Sounders winning a third cup would put an exclamation point on their emphasis to use the US Open Cup competition as a spring-board to Champions League. No better competitive endorsement could be given. For new franchises, and young inexperienced clubs, all these extra added matches help define what it takes to be a champion. Seattle has a shot at turning a funny championship into an inspiring dynasty.

For more on the US Open Cup, be sure to visit thecup.us

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Shalrie and the Giant Road Trip – Sounders FC at New England Revolution

1 10 2011

Steve Nicol Juggling Water Bottle - after losing 3-nil in Seattle 2010

Trips to New England for Sounders FC have always started with excited hopes of bountiful returns. Yet both trips ended yielding no gains. In fact, Sounders suffered disappointing losses in both.

The inaugural season jaunt started with a stunning Montero 6th minute strike from long-range. Shalrie Joseph, their tall attacking midfielder, eventually beat down the Sounders and knocked in two second half goals.

Shalrie Joseph is at the center of everything good, bad, and ugly that New England Revolution bring against the Sounders. Sliding a cheeky ball past Keller while falling, slapping Patrick Ianni on the neck out of the sight of referees, or rifling in perfectly timed headers. He is their catalyst. If he is in form, Sounders will struggle. If he is quiet, as in his visit to Seattle in June, they will likely be the one’s suffering a loss.

In the Sounders 2010 trip, they again took a 1-nil lead on the strength of a Steve Zakuani goal. Then proceeded to meltdown from the 70th minute on. Instead of finishing strong, or even holding on for a draw, they conceded three late goals.  A result they would rather reverse than repeat.

Sounders silenced Shalrie in their first meeting in June. He was ineffective. The Sounders then went on to do to the Revolution what they have done to Sounders in the first two seasons. Give up the first goal, then come back and win. Tyson Wahl leveled with a perfectly placed free-kick and Fernandez gave the Sounders the finishing lead in the 40th minute.

Lets’s take a road trip.

Every match has one good storyline. A long road trip is the one for Sounders FC in this match.  Starting last Saturday, the Sounders began a near 10,000 mile road trip with a bus to Vancouver, then flew to Guatemala, caught a plane to play in New England, and finally fly back across the country to Seattle for a Tuesday Championship match in the US Open Cup Final against Chicago.  It is a self-imposed journey, but enormous undertaking nonetheless.  For starters, I love Vancouver, and I would love to visit Guatemala City.  But next time I take a one week vacation you can be sure it wont be doing both in one week.

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders by Gabi Campanario - 8/5/09 at Barcelona Friendly

The Sounders have prioritized Champions League and US Open Cup competitions from the clubs inception. Succeeding in these competitions has made the team one of the most successful soccer clubs in North America in short order.  But it has a price that players pay in travel. It also clarifies why head Soccer Coaches are referred to as Managers and not Coaches.  Sigi Schmid has so far successfully managed this road trip, but the final evaluation wont be in until after New England and the US Open Cup final. Managing players and playing time alone is difficult enough, but who he can and can not beat at a game of cards must also be weighed.

Speaking of story-lines, if the cliché, “third time is a charm” is true, then miles and miles aside, this will be the Sounders third attempt in New England.  No doubt the lineup will look like a colonial patchwork quilt, but maybe that is exactly what it takes to survive the Revolution in New England.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Champions of Infinite Space – CS Herediano vs Sounders FC

20 09 2011

Champions League is appropriately named.  You have to be a champion to play with champions.  ”If you ain’t first, you’re last”.  As Will Ferrell said, playing Ricky Bobby, in Talladega Nights.  The Winners League doesn’t have that same, ah yes, “joie de vivre”.  It’s called Champions League, ‘cuz it’s only for teams that raise trophies.

In soccer, when you win a trophy in any significant competition, you earn the right to celebrate with pride.  Fans can be certain there will be time and place to be pompous and boast their clubs achievements.  For Sounders FC’s faithful, a win tomorrow over Herediano means a chance to put that braggadocio on an espresso train, and punch their ticket to the Champions League Quarterfinals.

Sounders '09-'10 US Open Cup Titles lead to '10-'11 Champions League

When in Seattle. Opportunities for Sounders FC boasting, like rainy fall days are coming in quick succession. Victories in upcoming matches may bring pouring buckets of loud celebration. Sounders are one win from clinching a third consecutive US Open Cup. One win from clinching a third consecutive Major League Soccer playoff appearance. One win from clinching a first ever appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals.

Two consecutive US Open Cup championships have placed Seattle in the think of their FIFA global soccer region’s Champions League over the last two years. (CONCACAF – Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football)

Wining once in all six Champions League Group Stage matches last year, who would have thought Sounders FC would be the only club with three wins in three matches in this years Champions League. A fourth win tomorrow advances them to the Quarterfinals in only their third year in Major League Soccer.  No trophy is given for that accomplishment, but it’s a great opportunity to boast about.

Tomorrow will be the second time Sounders FC and CS Herediano have faced off in six days.  Last Wednesday, Sounders traveled to Costa Rica, and on the strength of two Montero goals they outlasted Herediano 2-1.

Three significant lineup changes for tomorrow will force Sounders coach, Sigi Schmid to be creative with his choices. Depth should give the Sounders the fill-in pieces needed to keep their winning chances from dropping off. Mauro Rosales, will miss due to a knee injury suffered in last Saturday’s 3-nil win over DC United. His MRI results should be known by weeks end. Alvaro Fernandez, will miss due to yellow-card accumulation. With games coming quickly and little time to recuperate in between, Kasey Keller will rest tomorrow. Normally, his spot would be covered by Terry Boss. Boss suffered a second concussion during recent international play, allowing for the Sounders third Keeper, Joshua Ford to make his first appearance. To keep their depth chart at three for the Keeper position, the Sounders have brought in Bryan Meredith from the Kitsap Pumas.

CONCACAF Champions League

Club Sport Herediano, Primera División, Costa Rica

Any team that has reached a championship and hoisted a trophy, has had to overcome diverse challenges. Mauro Rosales’s injury will be a big one for Sounders FC.  Already without Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White for the rest of the season, the loss of Rosales presents another difficult obstacle for Seattle. The extent of his injury is yet to be determined. In the meantime, Sounders FC will have to prove their roster’s quality and depth.

One thing is certain, a victory tomorrow, and Sounders will prove their poise even above experience.  A measure of a clubs grit and determination for becoming a champion.  A champion worth boasting about loudly, and for a long time.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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Brek, Mexico and Sitting Solo in Second Position – FC Dallas vs Sounders FC

23 08 2011

This post is more than 48 hours late. No doubt about that. Considering the tardy arrival, you may feel inclined to slip down to the Post Match portion. Your inclination would be very wrong.  Very, very wrong.  You would miss the beautiful simplicity from my, albeit completely late, Prematch comments.  You would feel like you had cheated.  Like you were suddenly a teenager again, caught shoplifting, completely missing all my post match thoughts, and your cheating ways, although innocent enough in intent, would slowly build a lonely unfulfilled emotion inside you.  ”What if I had only read Sales on Sounders prematch comments first”.  The voice inside your head would say over and over and over.  The choice is yours.  Free will is a wonderful thing.  But starting at the beginning may bring you a more sweetened peace of mind than you could ever imagine.

Prematch vs FC Dallas

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Saturday is the Texas Two Step, from Frisco.  Sounders FC have never won in Texas.  Nothing from Houston Dynamo and nothing from FC Dallas. Sounders travel to FC Dallas’s home pitch at Pizza Hut Park. The winner takes sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, and the overall MLS standings. LA Galaxy leads the way. Playoff positioning is at stake.

Sounders also want a little pay-back for losing 1-nil to FC Dallas in their first meeting at home on May 25th

On Wednesday, August 17th, FC Dallas made history. They became the first MLS squad to celebrate a win in Mexico. Defeating Pumas UNAM, Mexican Primera División Champions 1-nil. A great win to start their 2011 CONCACAF Group Stage. The mid-week match may have left them tired, but the glorious victory will surely open their confidence up to full sail ahead.

On Tuesday, August 16th, Sounders FC had its most successful CONCACAF win to date. A 4-1 win over Comunicaciones of Guatemala.

Both sides meet Saturday with hopes of securing second place in the Western Conference, and overall playoff standings in MLS.  With LA signing Robbie Keane, last week, an irish international striker. It seems unlikely any team will stop LA from reaching their goal of ending the season atop the MLS table and earning the Supporters Shield.  Any remote chance of catching LA, will likely come from the team that wins Saturday in Frisco, Texas.

One player stands above all as the most likely difference maker in Saturday’s showdown.

Soccer often takes itself too seriously. Media, like Twitter, has become a good source for finding the lighter side of soccer. MLS.com features a podcast airing twice a week that balances soccer’s intensity with joyful humor. Extra Time Radio airs Monday to review the weekends results and events. It airs again on Thursday to review any mid-week matches, while looking to the weekends match-ups ahead. Greg Lalas, one member of ETR”s quartet of MLS.com’s writers and media personalities, recently made the point that Brek Shea is not a good name for soccer stardom. It may be a little early to place the full weight of that stigma on Brek Shea, but his development suggests there is good reason for us to be excited about what he could become for the US Men’s National Team.

Messi, Rooney, and Xavi derive unfair comparison when thinking of single name soccer stars. Dempsey is the closest we have in US Soccer. Even Landon Donovan who is the most successful US soccer star has not caught on as a single name. Lalas proposed, “Brek”. Time will tell.  For now, Brek is the primary challenge Seattle will have to mitigate if they want to win. Heat is the other serious obstacle the Sounders will face in order to come out of Texas victorious, and sitting solo in second position.

With LA Galaxy signing Robby Keane this week, it seems unlikely any team will stop them from reaching their MLS championship goal. Two teams from the West that would like to at least have that chance are FC Dallas and Sounders FC.

Post Match

Hoops

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

Sitting in second after winning in Texas, the Sounders are only two-steps from LA. ”if we want to make a run in the playoffs, you know we’re going to have to win games like this”. Keller, after the Sounders first win in Texas.

It all came down to the fifteenth minute.  Lamar Neagle received the ball near midfield, along the left sideline.  He rolls the ball forward on a slow dribble, while Montero makes a run up the middle.  Lamar’s pass avoids an FC Dallas interception finding Fredy Montero, who slides the ball past the last FC Dallas defender. Mauro Rosales runs into the penalty box, timing a one touch strike inside the near post.  Sounders lead 1-nil and all looks good.

Finally, Texas is defeated. The Sounders went on to win by the same 1-nil score. Not a pretty win. It was survival and sweat. Dallas threw everything. They even went down a man and still managed to outplay the Sounders with 10 men.

With the early goal, Seattle gave a little pay-back to FC Dallas for what Dallas did in Seattle on May 25th.  A 1-nil win in Seattle. Brek scored in the 18th minute.  FC Dallas bunkered in behind the ball.  Rarely venturing forward the rest of the match.  Seattle attacked again and again, but FC Dallas held the Alamo and stole a defensive victory. Seattle were the better squad but were not rewarded for their efforts. Carbon copy in Frisco.  Seattle took an early lead, then held on by the skin of their teeth until the final whistle.

Daniel Cruz was shown a third-minute yellow card for a reckless tackle.  Then in the 56th minute the referee thought he was simulating a fall to earn a free kick. The referee made a surprising call against Cruz, showing him a second yellow card.  Dallas played a man down the rest of the match.  You would not have known.  106 degrees hot and a sweltering attack, Dallas never gave up, and were it not for a heroic save by Keller at the death, Dallas looked poised to come back and earn a draw.

For Keller, this was his eighth shutout of the season.

The referee helped Seattle.  Twenty-two fouls against Seattle and nineteen against Dallas.  Forty-one fouls, each giving Sounders players a chance to catch their breath and drink water.  Those little pauses helped Seattle survive 106 degrees of Texas heat and equal amount of sweltering pressure from their attack.

Keller always manages to have the right words to put the perfect perspective on a match. “Maybe they should’ve won here and we definitely should’ve beat them there”.

Happily, Sounders take advantage of the win and climb into sole possession of second place.  Six points behind LA Galaxy seems a bit lofty to think the Sounders could catch them for first place in the remaining eight matches. But pulling out playoff like survival wins are what champions are made of. This is the first time I’ve felt Sounders showed that type of playoff like poise. Even more impressive it was on the road.

 

Credits:  Kasey Keller comments from post match interviews on Sounders FC.com

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Champions League Smackdown – Comunicaciones vs Sounders FC

16 08 2011

What happens when soccer meets Vince McMahon?

Kasey Keller climbs his goalposts, leaps, and brings heavy smackdown on opposing strikers. Sigi runs onto the pitch and backhands the referee. Leo Gonzalez and Fredy Montero join forces for a wild, no-holds-barred, tag team throw down against the other teams midfielders.

2011 CONCACAF Champions League - Group Stage

CONCACAF Champions League is certainly not that out of control. Watch tomorrow’s match with those images, and everything else will seem relatively calm.  Almost like an international friendly. Only a little more theatrically entertaining.

For the second straight year, Sounders FC qualified for the Group Stage of CONCACAF Champions League (CCL). Tomorrow is the Sounders first 2011 Group Stage match at CenturyLink Field against Comunicaciones from Guatemala.

The Sounders are hoping to use home field to their advantage as they begin Group Stage competition.  One win would equal their total from 2010.  Last year the Sounders earned one win, while losing five.

CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage is made up of 16 teams.  Teams are divided into four groups, with four teams in each group.  The top two teams from each group with the most points advance.  Three points for a win, and one point for a draw. Teams play each other twice, with one at home and the other on the road. Seattle is in group D. Their grouping includes Comunicaciones from Guatemala, Herediano from Costa Rica, and for a second year in a row, Monterrey from Mexico. Monterrey are turning into Sounders Champions League rivals after two intensely fought matches in their Group Stage play last year. Monterrey are the defending CCL Champions.

How did the Sounders got here?

In their first two seasons in Major League Soccer, Sounders FC won back-to-back US Open Cup titles. Winning the domestic cup earns a play-in, or qualification spot for Champions League. Two-leg play-in matches were held in July. Seattle faced San Francisco FC from Panama. Losing the first leg in Panama 1-nil and winning the second leg at home 2-nil. It was an epic two-leg series. The deciding leg in Seattle went into extra-time. Lasting 120 minutes. Nate Jagua put home the winner in extra-time and Seattle held on for the win. With away goals being more valuable than home goals, the Sounders were never more than a mistake away from letting San Francisco slip by them. They prevailed and the reward is a second straight appearance in CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage.

Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones

Who is Comunicaciones?

Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones, is from Guatemala City, Guatemala. They play in Liga Nacional de Fútbol. Winning 24 league titles and 5 domestic cups, Comunicaciones has built a favorable reputation.

What differences are there between CONCACAF soccer and Major League Soccer?

Everything looks and feels different. Electronic advertising side boards around the pitch for Sounders MLS games are replaced with wooden side board advertising.  No national anthems. Instead CONCACAF Champions League music plays. MLS referees are replaced by CONCACAF regional FIFA referees. These esthetic differences are not lost in the play on the field.

Players tend to embellish physical play more in Champions League to gain any slight advantage from the referee, or slow the tempo of the game.  Some people call it cheating, diving, faking injury, etc. Others think of it as gamesmanship. I certainly do not support simulation (diving and faking injury) but soccer is a chess match. Timed well, a little simulated embellishment can slow another teams heavy attack.  Allowing your teammates to catch their breath. Group Stage matches are not regular season league matches. These matches are for teams who have won league titles or domestic cups. So, a little theatrical expression should be expected. There is always enough room for soccer and entertainment to mix under the limelight.

The Sounders struggle a bit with embellishment and efforts to favor calls from referees. What they have responded well to is loud crowds cheering for them.  They will have that.  Fewer than at MLS matches, the noise volume will still be inspiring.

If Sounders stay focused on their tactical offensive game, without getting wrapped into tumble and fall stunts they can get a result against Comunicaciones. The more they learn to walk away from players who are barely bumped but show faces with the grimace of death. The more they can keep up attacking pressure.  Then maybe with a little choreography, and few more rehearsals, the Sounders will even learn to use a bit of the gamesmanship used against them.

 

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Rave Green Chili Peppers – Chivas USA at Sounders FC

13 08 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Panama heat, Houston heat, Kansas heat, even CONCACAF Referee heat.  A quartet of chili pepper challenges behind them, Sounders came out looking pretty cool. Two wins and two losses.  For their brave efforts, splitting the peppers found the Sounders continuing to climb the Scoville scale of Major League Soccer.  What can they get from goats this week?

Defeating San Francisco FC of Panama, qualified Sounders for Group stages in CONCACAF Champions League.  Two stoppage time goals last weekend against Sporting Kansas City and the Sounders became the first MLS franchise to win at new Livestrong Sporting Park.  The win placed Seattle one point behind Dallas for third in the west, at 41 points on the season.

Both Sounders goals came in stoppage time.  The second nearly at the death.  Mauro Rosales played a full 120 minutes last Wednesday in the 2-nil CONCACAF defeat of San Francisco FC.  So, it was nothing short of amazing to watch him carve the ball away from two defenders after another full 90 minutes against Sporting Kansas City. With more workman than flash-like moves, Rosales used a calm sense of poise to drag the ball away from two Sporting defenders.  Then pass the ball past their Keeper, Jimmy Nielsen for an equalizing goal. The Sounders would have been content with that tying goal for a draw. Moments later they pushed forward again.  Mauro Rosales passed the ball from the top of the box to the left of goal, where Lamar Neagle met the ball one time with his right foot, skirting the ball past two defenders, and into the net of a heartbroken Jimmy Nielsen for the winning goal.

Sounders FC are building a scary reputation for being road warrior streak busters.  The 2-1 win at Sporting Kansas City’s, Livestrong Sporting Park was their third such feat. In 2009 Seattle ended Columbus Crew’s undefeated streak at 22-games.  In May of this year, Sounders went to Real Salt Lakes’s fortress, Rio Tinto and stopped their undefeated streak at 29-games. The win at Livestrong stopped Sporting’s 14-game undefeated streak.

It wasn’t the first time Kansas City have played Sounders FC matches expecting to get something, only to come away empty-handed and disappointed.  With the win, Seattle picks up their third stoppage time win over Kansas City.  Last year at Qwest Field there was the famous  Fucito Finish.  The stoppage time goal from Mike Fucito to grab a 1-nil win. Then, on May 21st, Jeff Parke made it “lightning strikes twice” and headed in a second stoppage time winner.  Coach, Sigi Schmid, felt this third such victory was justified pay-back.  “They were the first team to beat us at Qwest, and we’re now the first team to beat them at Livestrong”.

I think it is safe to say Sporting Kansas City will be perfectly happy to not see the Sounders again until next year.

Here come the Goats!!!

Club Deportivo Chivas USA - Founded 2004

At 7-wins, 8-losses, and 8-draws, Club Deportivo Chivas USA comes to CenturyLink a more dangerous attacking team than their record shows. With 29-points from 23-matches, they are sitting sixth in the Western Conference.  Right now, that is good enough for the 10th and final MLS Playoff spot.

Strong in attack.  Chivas have scored 30 goals over 23 matches.  It is their defense that needs work. The Sounders defense are not entirely different. They have also given up more goals than Kasey Keller would like in his final season. Unless either defense becomes stingy it could be an exciting, high-scoring 3-2 match.

The Sounders have developed a knack for dramatic finishes this season.  Especially at home.  Their confidence for always finding a way to win matches will favor Sounders FC against Chivas USA. Beyond that, grab a coin and flip for a winner.

If that seems dismissive of the Sounders better results and record reflecting their effort.  I assure you it is not.  The Sounders have demonstrated they have a club poise and quality for winning.  No team possesses a flare for outrageous winning like Sounders FC.  With 210 minutes played in the last two matches, resulting in two wins, including one in overtime and the other in stoppage time, their team chemistry and determination are among the best in MLS currently.

Seattle’s success goes beyond the intangibles of team chemistry and is in no small part due to their developing talents.  No one in MLS tackles better, and disrupts opposing midfield play more than Sounders’ Osvaldo Alonso.  Mauro Rosales is playing like he belongs on an MLS starting XI.  Add to that the dynamic in-form play of Alvaro Fernandez, along with Fredy Montero, and Seattle’s midfield and front attack is something to fear.  On the other end of the field, a few too many defensive miscues have demonstrated Sounders back line cohesion needs to improve to make a significant playoff run.

Chivas plays a high attacking line, exposing defenses to fast breaks.  They will attempt to run fast and often at Seattle’s defense to keep them unsettled.  They show good attacking form with their passing, possession and forward movement from players off the ball.  This does leave their defense exposed.  But allowing a couple of goals is something they are not afraid to risk in order to create a winning goal in a high scoring affair.

Where Chivas lacks some of the Sounders cohesiveness, they are not short of youthful talent.  With a great mix of strength and speed, which is starting to come together, Chivas are looking more dangerous all the time.

Midfielder, Nick LaBrocca along with forwards, Justin Braun and Alejandro Moreno will put pressure on Seattle’s back line.  If Seattle uses their few extra days rest and preparation this week, they should be able to use passing and possession to counter Chivas strength and speed in going forward.

One thing 36,000 fans do for opposing teams when they come to Seattle is make them want to bring out their best.  Chivas would like to prove they belong in the MLS Playoff-Ten.  With four teams on their heels, taking all three points in Seattle would help strengthen their playoff position and add confidence to their push towards the end of season.

Playoff positioning is equally important to Seattle, who would like to keep pressure on Dallas and LA.  The chase for second place in the Western Conference heats up next week in Frisco, Texas as Seattle and Dallas face-off at Pizza Hut Park.  Trailing LA by 7-points for top spot in MLS and Supporters Shield may prove too tall a hill to climb, but winning never hurts your chances.  Any slip from LA, and another late season winning run from Seattle could leap them into Major League Soccer’s top spot.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders – by Ryan Sales


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