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

2 08 2012

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

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

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

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

Sounders in Champions League 2010:

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

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

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

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

Sounders in Champions League 2011:

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

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

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

2011 Quarterfinals vs Santos Laguna:

Club Santos Laguna, Primera División, Mexico

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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Sounders Play Full 90 or Full 9 Innings In May? Sounders at Fire Saturday

27 04 2012

Coming into a rapid succession of matches, Sounders FC begin the American League West baseball portion of their 2012 Major League Soccer schedule.   On Saturday, Sounders FC travel to Bridgeview, Illinois.  South of Chi-town to face the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park at 5:30 PST.  A rematch of last October’s 2-nil US Open Cup match in Seattle.  The Sounders third consecutive US Open Cup.

Sweet Lou, can you hear me now?  I don’t imagine former Mariners manager, Lou Piniella will be available to help Sigi Schmid figure out the Sounders upcoming rotation for their spit-tight schedule in May.  But I don’t think his dry-wisdom on the matter would be overlooked either.

 Me:   (My imaginary brief interview with Sweet Lou about the Sounders):   Lou, with numerous matches coming up, and players having little recovery time, how do you decide who to bring up and use in your rotation?  Especially with some guys just coming back from injury and others still recovering?

Sweet Lou Piniella:    “Whoever the organization wants to bring up is fine with me”.

Sigi’s options show more promise than Sweet Lou’s “whoever” answer.  Mauro Rosales is likely to start Saturday.  Adding a more dangerous attacking element to the Sounders goal-slacking offense.

Since the Sounders 2009 inaugural season they have built a deep and talented bench. That depth and talent will be thoroughly tested in May’s matches.

With their first five matches completed, the Sounders have a 3-W, 1-L, 1-D record. Ten points in five games, averaging two points per match is a good start.  (3 pts per win, 1 pt per draw)

Through those first five matches the Sounders have used 19 starters.  They will certainly add to that in May.  Likely within the next five matches over a compact 14 day stretch.

You see, it’s not just me.  That really reads like a MLB Manager’s rotation issues in a compact summer baseball schedule.

Here are the fast and furious five upcoming matches from Saturday, April 28th to Saturday, May 12th.

Chicago Fire, Saturday, April 28th – Away
LA Galaxy, Wednesday, May 2nd – Home
Philadelphia Union, Saturday, May 5th – Home
FC Dallas, Wednesday, May 9th – Away
Real Salt Lake, Saturday, May 12th – Home

One week later, Sounders travel across the northern border for their first Cascadia rivalry match of 2012 with the Vancouver White Caps.

Winning expectations are high for the Sounders in 2012.  Injuries always test any teams resiliency and ability to adapt and find ways to win.  Last August the Sounders made a strong playoff push with an outstanding 7-W, 0-L, 1-D record.  So, there is a precedent for stepping up when it counts in their short MLS history.

The Fire through five matches have 8 pts, with a 2-W, 1-L, 2-D record.

While the Sounders will feature faces recovering from injuries.  Chicago will feature newly acquired Forward, Chris Rolfe.  Rolfe previously played for Chicago from 2005-2009.  He left in ’09 for Danish club, Aalborg BK.  He will strengthen their already potent attack with Marco Pappa, Patrick Nyarko, and Dominic Oduro.

Sounders defense will have their hands full.  The potent midfield pairing of Brad Evans and Osvaldo Alonso will again be heavily relied upon to disrupt Chicago’s attack, push the ball through the midfield to Rosales, who the Sounders will count on heavily to assist in finding the scoring touch for Eddie Johnson, Fredy Montero, or David Estrada.  Who have all been silent for the Sounders the last few matches.

Sigi should be able to find a rotation from the depth of his Sounders bench.  Their aim over the next five matches should be to put up no less than 9 pts from 15 possible.  If Sigi can’t find players in his rotation to close 9 pts from 15, then someone may need to buzz Piniella to find a closer from the bullpen.

“Our pitchers aren’t pitching very well and our hitters aren’t hitting very well.  Outside of that, we’re OK.” — Lou Piniella 

More Sweet Lou - Who isn't nostalgic for a little Lou in Summer? Those entertaining post game comments to send you to sleep.

Notes:

Saturday’s match with Chicago Fire is the Sounders 100th since the inaugural match, March 19th, 2009.  Amassing a 47-W, 25-L, 27-D record, including 3 consecutive Lamar Hunt US Open Cup titles.  The only club with a better record through its first 100 matches is none other than the Chicago Fire.  Going 52-W, 30-L, 18-D.  Including an inaugural season MLS Cup and US Open Cup title in 1998.  They have won 3 more US Open Cup since ’98.

Chris Rolfe, according to MLSsoccer.com is not expected in the lineup vs Sounders on Saturday.  Even in supporting the Sounders he’s a player that delights the soccer eye.  Just as it has been frustrating for Sounders to have Mauro Rosales out, it is unfortunate for Fire that Rolfe is out.  The will be the only Fire v Sounders match of 2012.

 © 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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Seattle Sounders Take Campaign on the Road vs De Ro in DC

7 04 2012

When in the nation’s capital, it’s about striking with purpose and intent. Deliver messages that get results.  Soft shots, like soft words don’t play in DC.

Steven Lenhart goaded Marc Burch by going to ground easy. Gaining the referees attention ultimately led to a softly awarded, game winning penalty kick converted by Chris Wondolowski.

In an election year, daily 50/50 challenges between Republicans and Democrats play out like strikers and defenders behaving in all manors possible to win possession.  Defenders grind and bleed to play the ball safe and clear, while strikers turn rusty sinks into artful masterpieces sewing the ball into the goals netting.  No in-between in DC.  Messages get delivered with purpose, or go home.

The Sounders are in the Nations Capital Saturday, facing DC United at 4:30pm (PST).  One week after dropping an unfocused 1-nil hem-and-haw, off message performance to San Jose’s Earthquakes.

Steven Lenhart saw a ping of vulnerability in Sounders newest left-back Marc Burch.  Lenhart goaded Burch into giving a slight nudge of retaliation inside the penalty box.  The referee was audience to Lenhart’s well executed soccer flop.

Lesson learned.

Don’t be mad at Lenhart.  Like a tricky politician collecting delegates to bolster his nomination, Lenhart gave a performance delivered with purpose to get his club their desired result.  ”i’ve seen him enough, it’s the same tricks every time,” Burch stated.  ”I should be bigger than that, better than that”.  Sometimes casting silly votes by being vulnerable and innocent to a politicians tactics, we learn how not to vote next time.  Burch will be ready for the next match.

Even Sounders coach, Sigi Schmid said of Lenhart, “He’s the kind of player who looks for exactly that. He got one tonight. I don’t think it’s the best soccer.”  Indeed, it’s not the best soccer.  Unless you are on point and prepared to execute your message without any distraction, you leave yourself vulnerable to a soft undoing.

De Ro in DC.

Going into the Sounders third consecutive home match last Saturday, Seattle was in place to start their season with a hat-trick of home wins.  Instead, the Sounders settled for 2-wins and 1-loss.  Overall a good start.  But rather than DC being a first road trip where Sounders could ease into the long travel of their MLS season, the match with United becomes even more important.  A loss would be harmful.  A draw would be tolerated, but sting.

Pause, for a moment of sporing reflection and cliché.  ”It’s early”.  Saying that, a win Saturday in DC is critical for the Sounders to earn all three points.  Even in a long campaign, it’s never too early to deliver a statement of challenge to your opposition.  Sounders have a talking points list of reasons for needing a win in DC that sends such a message.

  • Missed opportunity at three home wins.
  • Avoidable and frustrating loss to San Jose last week.
  • Avenge a 2-1 defeat at DC last year.
  • Chip on the shoulder for injury to Mauro Rosales in last September’s match vs DC in Seattle.

Dwayne De Rosario (De Ro) - 2011 MLS MVP played for Toronto, New York & DC

Sounders didn’t pick up their first win of 2011 until match #5, on April 9th vs Chicago Fire.  Mauro Rosales’s pinpoint cross to O’Brian White for his perfectly placed headed goal of the week finish.  Combined with Zakuani’s skillful 1-v-1 move past a Fire defender to stuff in the winner helped the Sounders earn their first win of 2011.  All three players are still with the Sounders, but not one of them will start in DC on Saturday.

Oh, what injuries do.

The Sounders talented roster of Injuries quickly needs to be put aside.  DC United have in Dwayne De Rosario (De Ro) the finest attacking-midfielder in MLS.  Playing for three clubs last season, he finally settled with his third in DC.  Despite odds agains a successful season due to so many moves, he managed to win Major League Soccer’s 2011 MVP.  DC didn’t make the playoffs.  When was the last time you heard a player win MVP and the club not make the playoffs.  Don’t furl your brow at this.  De Ro earned it.  He’s that good!

De Ro takes over games on his own.  Creates goals out of nothing.  He poaches in close, heads, and strikes from distance.  He feeds assists to teammates finding gaps for them to score goals they would not otherwise create for themselves.

Osvaldo Alonso will have the weighted responsibility for keeping De Ro in check.  How well Alonso does may determine how well the Sounders do in delivering their early season message in DC.

Follow my posts on Seattle PI.com 

© 2012 Sales on Sounder by Ryan Sales


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Walking Dead Dynamo – Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders FC

22 03 2012

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

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

See the trees through the Bandages

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

“Zombie Jaqua”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Match Notes and Injury Update:

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

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

You can also see my work posted here

 © 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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Who’s Pairing With Fredy Montero – Sounders vs Santos Champions League Second Leg

14 03 2012

Seattle Sounders FC had a creative cast of players making exits and entrances the entire offseason.  There were retirements, trades, drafts, all kinds of

Club Santos Laguna - Mexican Primera División

movement that asks key questions of both veterans and newcomers.  Have these role changes improved the club?  Are the new players difference makers?

When Mike Fucito was traded to MLS club newcomer,  Montreal Impact, it felt like a blow to Sounders fans.  Fucito may not have been the most critical piece to measure success or failure, but he certainly rated high as a fan favorite.

Partnering with Montero up front, Fucito didn’t posses size, but his speed would run havoc over opposing defenses.  Gone, who will Montero’s partner be?.

Sounders brass put scouting antennas on once again.  The same radar precise accuracy they deployed previously to find Osvaldo Alonso, and Mauro Rosales.  This time there was no new player-discovery located.  Instead, they rediscovered a player well known to many familiar with US Soccer, Eddie Johnson.  In short, Johnson’s time in Europe had a falling out, which effectively played him off the US National Team.  That said, his talent and potential have never been doubted.  So, Sounders scouting has gone from radar precise discovery to now taking on its first re-discovery project.

I will soon be following this piece with one recounting the Sounders off-season transactions.  This season can’t go on long without noting it.  Dramatic changes from pitch to commentator booth.  The Sounders have been quiet but dramatic.

With Mike Fucito’s exit and Eddie Johnson’s entrance the question seems answered who the Sounders want paired with Montero up front.  But Johnson’s fitness and preparation may take a few weeks before he will be ready to go from bench to starting.

So, how does the Montero-pairing question get answered in the meantime.  David Estrada.  Sounders first round pick from the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Still developing, and not having seen much playing time, especially as a starter, it came as a surprise when he made a starting appearance last week for the Sounders first ever Quarterfinal Knock-Out Champions League match vs Santos Laguna.  It came as a much larger than life surprise when Estrada scored his first Sounders goal in the 12th minute.

Sounders lead the aggregate goals series 2-1.  They lead on the strength of goals from David Estrada and Brad Evans.  US National Team prospect Herculez Gomez scored the lone Santos goal.

Eddie Johnson made an appearance in the 78th minute, but I’ll step out and say that’s not enough to justify a start in the second leg.  For now, Estrada has earned and proven his opportunity to pair with Montero.  What he may lack in strength he makes up for in finesse.  Now that Estrada is a proven threat, Santos will track him more diligently.  Freeing Montero some to distribute to other players, or choose the appropriate moments to be selfish, put the ball on target and prove his DP (Designated Player) salary.

While the final decision is still in process for determining Montero’s partner, it seems Estrada has given coach, Sigi Schmid an unexpected, and pleasing option.  The Sounders radar-precise scouting worked when it found Estrada in 2010.  Maybe Estrada will lend a valuable assist to the Sounders Scouting re-discovery decision in selecting Eddie Johnson.  If the Sounders needed a little time for Johnson to get his fitness and find his way around Schmid’s formations, then Estrada may have given Johnson and coaches that time, while challenging for valuable playing time himself.

For Sounders fans, the loss of Fucito fades more easily as hopes of Johnson and Estrada shine more brightly.

Sounders face Santos Laguna in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.  Match is 5:00pm PST on FSC (Fox Soccer Channel).  It can also be found on the CONCACAF Champions League site.

Photo from Sounders FC Photo Gallery – Visit www.soundersfc.com

© 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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Sounders on Champions Tour to Vancouver and Guatemala City – Sounders at CSD Comunicaciones

27 09 2011

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

After an impressive start in Champions League with three consecutive wins, Herediano brought Sounders strong start to a halt in Seattle last Tuesday. Losing 1-nil the Sounders missed a chance to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.  The road to secure that spot in the last two Group Stage matches becomes more challenging.

New places and enemy faces.

Sounders travel Tuesday to Guatemala City, to face CSC Comunicaciones for the second time in Champions League this year. Comunicaciones are familiar faces to Sounders FC, after making easy work of them in a 4-1 trouncing in Seattle in their first Group Stage meeting. Facing them in Guatemala will prove a new challenge all together. Last year’s Champions League experience has helped the Sounders. But Comunicaciones will be on its home pitch with their fans. Playing at new stadiums, often with less than pristine pitches, always presents opportunities for unlucky ball bounces.

Sounders have done well on the road this year. Including the thrilling defeat over Monterrey in Mexico. Experience played a key roll in holding off Monterrey’s late charge. But unlike any Champions League team the Sounders face this year, Monterrey know the Sounders and they know Seattle.  They traveled to Seattle last year, and before Portland, they had the best and loudest away fan support the Sounders have dealt with at home. Monterrey defeated Seattle twice in Champions League last year, and went on to defeat Real Salt Lake to win the 2010 CONCACAF Champions League.

Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones

If Seattle fails to defeat, or at least draw with Comunicaciones on Tuesday, then they may as well buy lottery tickets. Leaving their chances of advancement in Champions League to a win over Monterrey in October, two weeks before MLS playoffs is about as likely as winning the lottery. Needing to defeat the defending Champions League cup holders here, there, or anywhere is as tough a professional club-level challenge as you could face in North American soccer.

Calling tomorrow’s match a must win, or must draw, is an understatement. A win means Sounders don’t have to play with mood-swinging lineup changes and desperation when Monterrey visits Seattle for the second year in a row in October.

Lineup changes and rested players.

Sounder’s Coach, Sigi Schmid will be tested the rest of the way. With Champions League, US Open Cup Final, and MLS Playoff-significant matches crammed into a compact schedule, players will have to be shuffled each match. Injuries to Mauro Rosales on top of others add to that challenge.

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Carrying momentum over from being crowned Champions of Cascadia after the weekend’s 3-1 victory over Vancouver, may prove for the Sounders their best chance of advancing in Champions League against Comunicaciones tomorrow. Vancouver is not as challenging an away destination as Guatemala City, but it shows experienced development of a young team when it finds success on the road.  The Sounders are an outstanding 7-wins, 3-losses, and 5-draws on the road in MLS this season. They are a young team that plays like veterans. Their experience gained from added US Open Cup and Champions League matches over their first three seasons is showing. Tuesday is a chance to put that acquired experience on display to the broader footballing world.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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

24 09 2011

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

MLS Breaking News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video – Eric Hassli’s goal to remember

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

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

Seattle Sounders - NASL 1974 - 1983

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

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

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

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

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

© Sales on Sounders – 2011 by Ryan Sales



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