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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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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Psychology for a Lack of Sounders FC Goals: Sounders FC vs Chicago Fire

8 04 2011

 

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Last time Chicago’s Fire visited the Emerald City, it marked the return of Freddie Ljungberg. The passion for vengeance burned high. Fredy Montero‘s late winning goal was among the Sounders 2010 season highlights.  The Sounders won both games against the Fire in 2010. Their match with the Chicago Fire this Saturday becomes critical after yielding two season points from four matches, while only producing three goals.  Their record is 0-wins, 2-losses, and 2-draws.  All four matches were entertaining, but entertainment alone does not define a winning season.  One draw came at home against the Houston Dynamo.  The other last weekend in the thrilling 2-2 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes.  Losing this Saturday would not be fatal, but it would leave a heavy emotional burden for fans and team both.  A draw would be manageable, but a bitter and underlying level of frustration would creep into the club.  A win would not put the season right, but it would ignite momentum and confidence.

Last year Seattle traded Ljungberg to Chicago for six points in return.  The two wins helped propel the Sounders to a 10-win, 2-loss, 3-draw record in the second half of 2010.  That was the best record in MLS during that period leading up to the playoffs. That is the significant momentum possible from a Saturday win against the Fire. The Sounders have shown no lack of confidence only a lack of goals.  Thrilling as they are with improved play on the pitch, it is when they discover their need for victory, and not just an accumulation of shots that will earn them goals and wins.

With goals hard to come by in soccer, the Sounders FC have managed some interesting goal stats, or lack of goal stats, in their first four matches of 2011. Sounders FC have scored three goals in four matches, while allowing five.  At first glance those numbers seem soccer normal, right?  Under the microscope, those figures show Sounders FC amassing 64 shots, with 36 on frame.  Which works out to 9 shots-on-goal for every 16 shots taken per game.  What can be made from that?  It is generally considered normal for a club to score one goal per every ten shots.  Barcelona hits net at an astonishing pace of 1 goal per 7 shots.  At times even less.  The Sounders are scoring 1 goal for every 21 shots taken.  Troubling numbers considering the improved quality in their play.  (see last post, Rave Green Blues)

I don’t like statistics because they raise more questions than answers.  I live for the story.  Recent events have tickled the whiskers of my curiosity.  Now I have questions about these curious stats.
“Mr President, I know you are busy with Libya and Budgets, but regarding the Sounders, . . .  uh, no sir, they are a soccer club, like Landon Donovan, not a basketball team.   . . .  Oh, no, no, no we do not play in Oklahoma”.  Well, that didn’t go well.
Lionel Messi, is not answering my calls.  Pele, wont respond to my e-mails.  I can’t find Zidane on Twitter, and Zeus is “apparently” on vacation.  So, I have hired a private detective to explain the probabilities involved in tallying only 3 goals in 64 shots.
Breaking News:  My soccer private detective just quit.  Apparently, he was called away for a more pressing assignment to uncover missing Portland Timber’s midfielders.

 

Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC - 2009 & 2010 US Open Cup Champions

Statistics and kidding aside, if the Sounders, albeit miraculously, were to amass another 64 shots in the next 4 matches, they will score no fewer than 6 goals.  Even if half are own-goals scored by the other team.  I’ll put a pint on that!

What does it take to score in soccer?  Skill, patience, poise, precision?  All are good terms.  Do the Sounders lack these qualities in their strikers and forwards?  You could conjure up an argument for that.  Eventually, I believe you would come around to realizing the qualities in these Sounders players are more like league goal scoring leaders, than explaining their slump.  Any argument against them, would be hard pressed to get past the argument for them.  I wont defend their numerous missed opportunities, but there must be some strange manner to explain how so much creativity and opportunity has missed its home target.  Maybe the explanation comes from a willing need, or a little Luck.  if the Sounders shoot 64 shots in the next 4 matches, luck alone will muster no fewer than 6 goals.

“Put the ball in the net”.  Screams a Sounders fan standing in front of my brother-in-law, Thomas Breuler, and myself.  No ringing endorsements for this to become a regular chant.  It does sum up everything fans and team alike want to see change soon.  What is keeping the ball out of the back of the net?  Need?  Some all-encompassing need?  When the Sounders finally need to, they will find a way to score goals.  Some teams play with momentum, energy, passion, or various skills, and so-on.  Some clubs are just lucky.  Other times in sports, the gods of games burden you with the challenge to become something more than what you are. Saturday, Sounders FC face their own fire.  They are on the cusp of a self sacrificial barbecue, or a heroic surge.  If the 2011 Sounders FC are to become a team seeking a deep need to win, then Saturday is when that desire needs to show on their home pitch.

Sounders FC players and staff appear encouraged and upbeat.  Fans are still singing, “The Rave Green Blues”. Yes, I’m being over dramatic here as Saturday is only game five.  Yet four of the next five matches are on the road.  So, I don’t feel it’s too early to quote my good Sounders friend, Todd Hodges, who commented that “April is becoming a do-or-die month”.

It is time for the boys in Rave Green to need victory.

 

Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire - Founded 1997, MLS 1998, 4 US Open Cup Titles

For, Luis Sanchez, a faithful Chicago Fire supporter.  Our passions support opposing teams.  Our respect is mutual.  Together from separate cities we support MLS and the growth of soccer in the US.  One day we’ll meet at Al’s Italian Beef.

 

 


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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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Categories : 2010

Put Away Your Vuvuzela, It’s MLS Time

27 06 2010

Round 14 vs Philadelphia Union

Have you had enough vuvuzela?  And what’s up with the dancing Jabulani ball?  How do you keep yourself together during all the World Cup hoopla?  One sure way to keep focus is when the Sounders FC take the pitch Sunday against the Philadelphia Union for their maiden match at their new home, PPL Park, in Chester, PA.  As Major League Soccer recovers from its two-week World Cup fever, the crazy Jabulani will not leave us.  Apparently we better get used to its extreme quirkiness.  Major League Soccer has a deal with Adidas to use it ALL season.

In addition to celebrating World Cup fever, Major League Soccer opens a second soccer specific stadium this year.  The Sunday match will played at Philadelphia Unions new soccer specific stadium, PPL Park.  The Union’s first two matches were held at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.  The New York Red Bulls opened Red Bull Arena in March.  Soccer is definitely on the upward move in the US, with growing numbers of new US soccer stadiums, a 19th expansion team (Montreal Impact – 2012), and a successful run in the World Cup.  Fan support may reach new highs for all MLS clubs by the end of this season.  Our US National Team players who are not already in Europe, will be soon.  Additionally with our new found levels of success and recognition is the great news that players you and I have heard about from around the World Cup are coming our way.  Look no further than Seattle.  Blaise Nkufo, from Switzerland, made the pass that led to the goal defeating Spain in a World Cup opening round shock upset.  Nkufo is on his way here.  He’ll draw both national and international attention, which not only places attention on Seattle, but more importantly soccer in America.

Zolos

For the Sounders, the World Cup was an injury recovery break.  An opportunity to recharge and focus on a difficult coming schedule.  Including the defense of the US Open Cup which starts Wednesday in a rematch of last years thrilling 2-1 US Open Cup victory over Portland on their home pitch at PGE Park.  Not to be forgotten, is the Sounders first ever CONCACAF Champions League match.  First up, is a rematch of Sounders opening day 2-nil victory over Philadelphia Union.

Watching Michael Bradley brilliantly poke in the equalizing goal against Slovenia, and of course Landon Donovan’s, Prayer in Pretoria, the winning goal over Algeria, set the table for what is missing in Sounders matches.  Hard fought, sweat to the end, fight for everything, gruelingly tough, leave it ALL on the table GOALS!  More people in the US than ever before are aware of what Sounders fans already know.  It is astonishingly, even punishingly emotional to cheer your team in hope and prayer for one goal to win it all.  Do you remember Round 4 vs Kansas City, The Fucito Finish? That was not a World Cup victory, nor a MLS Championship, not even a playoff match.  It was simply an early regular season match that finished with a goal that felt like the Sounders won the Milky Way Galaxy Champions Cup of the Universe.  A parade with Michael Fucito leading the team through the solar system was planned for the next day.  It may not have been quite that big, but it was water cooler fab-jab, for even the casual Sounders fan on Monday.  Everyone knows the emotional power of what soccer is capable of.  Everyone knows you never watch alone. It is the beautiful game.  Brutal on mind and spirit, divine bliss in its glorious release of victory as the goal net swells then settles the obsessive ball.  Every game for the rest of the Sounders season will feel like the joy in drawing with England, the anguish of a refs stolen victory over Slovenia, the frustration in not beating Algeria after 90 minutes, or the elation and amazement at suddenly finding a rabbit in the hat of extra time.

The Gunners - Est. 1886

There is a lot at stake in this back from the break, mid-season match.  It is a rematch of the Sounders opening round 2-nil victory.  A game where Union’s manager, Peter Nowak claimed Ljungberg embellished his falls.  Only to realize, Ljungberg did not take Nowak’s words lying down.  The bruise on his lower spine served as proof.  Nonetheless, Union supporters, Sons of Ben will send vociferous jeers of disapproval Ljungberg’s way every time he touches the ball.  Here is what I hope no one tells any Union supporter before the match, that is exactly what Ljungberg thrives on.  He played for Arsenal of the English Premiere League.  He heard much worse years ago at White Heart Lane, when traveling with Arsenal to bitter rival Tottenham Hotspur.  The Sons of Ben are in season one, so their “shock and awe” chants are not

What to look for?

Enjoy the beautiful game’s new-found rise in attention in the States.  What is wonderful about soccer is its relatively short span compared to most other American viewed sporting affairs.  Take in the intensity, sweat out the result, then enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  I’ll be back after the game and for the rest of the season, with the story of the game.  The ongoing story of the Sounders regular season, US Open Cup defense, and inaugural voyage into CONCACAF where the door to being the number one club in the world exists.

Thank you ALL for following my story.  Especially to all the ongoing readers and wonderful addition of new readers in the last two weeks.


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Categories : 2010

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