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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Steady Seven – Can Sounders 7 defender rotation march to victory over Real Salt Lake? Take Tops in MLS?

12 05 2012

Seattle Sounders FC, inaugural season 2009, US Open Cup Champions 2009-Present

Sounders FC‘s steady-seven defender rotation have only allowed 3 goals.  Helping Keepers Michael Gspurning and Bryan Meredith earn 6 shutouts.  Including 3 in a row, with over 270 shutout-minutes.  They are the back-line foundation of the Sounders early success.  The best defensive unit in Major League Soccer through 9-matches.

All that defensive prowess and early success for the club will be tested tonight, 7pm at Century Link.  Real Salt Lake bring their physical, but slick attacking style to Seattle.  Kyle Beckerman and gang are as adept at scoring as any club in Major League Soccer.  They have played 12-matches and stand top-of-the league with 23 points.

With a win tonight, Sounders have an opportunity to rise up and takeover the top spot in Major League Soccer.  Doing so against Real Salt Lake would build the clubs only missing element of competitive success.  Playoff confidence.

These are the types of matches the Sounders must begin to win if they want playoff success.  In order to have confidence to march to the dream of hoisting the MLS Cup.

The Sounders have wrestled 12 points in their last 4 matches.  The maximum possible.  Part of a schedule as compact as a Mariners schedule.  Featuring 5 matches in 15 days.  Overall, the Sounders have won five in a row and are unbeaten in their last six matches.  But none have been as significant, not even the 2-nil win over LA, as this match tonight with Real Salt Lake.

Claret and Cobalt – Inaugural season 2005, MLS Cup Champions 2009

The Claret and Cobalt of Salt Lake City are the Sounders first real test of 2012.  If a winner emerges, they could move to the top of the Western Conference.  Even tops in MLS.

Last season the Sounders traveled to Salt Lake, braking Real Salt Lake’s 29-match home win streak.  RSL countered in the playoffs with a 2-leg, 3-2 aggregate goal, heartbreaking playoff series victory over Seattle.

Is it a rivalry?  Nothing like a Cascadia rivalry, but as Sigi said, “Is Manchester United Arsenal’s biggest rival?  No, but it’s a rivalry game.”

“Any time you have two good teams playing each other and want to compete for top of the table, there’s always going to be a little bit of a rivalry there,” – Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC 

*****

Here are the Sounders Steady-Seven defensive rotation.  Only 3-goals allowed.  6-shutouts.  270+ minutes of scoreless soccer.

#12 – Leo Gonzalez, #4 – Pat Ianni, #34 – Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, #5 – Adam Johansson, #8 – Marc Burch, #20 – Zach Scott, #31 – Jeff Parke

*****

 Western Conference standings:

1 – Real Salt Lake, 23-pts, 7-W, 3-L, 2-D, (12 matches played)
2 – San Jose Earthquakes, 22-pts, 7-W, 2-L, 1-D, (10 matches played)
3 – Seattle Sounders FC, 22-pts, 7-W, 1-L, 1-D, (9 matches played)
Sporting Kansas City, 21-pts, 7-W, 2-L, 0-D, (9 matches played)  - SKC play in the MLS Eastern Conference.
3-pts Win, 1-pt Draw, 0-pts Loss

Title by Hannah J Breuler, 9 year-old niece of SOS
She got the idea while sitting on oranges and reading the blog. 

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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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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Winter of Intent – Toronto FC at Sounders FC

17 03 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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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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Union and Sounders Shed Expansion Franchise Tag – Seattle Sounders FC vs Philadelphia Union

7 10 2011

Flashback to March 25th, 2010. First Kick, the inaugural match for expansion Philadelphia Union, and start of the 2010 season. The stadium formerly known as Qwest roared with thirty-six thousand Sounders fans and a national TV audience that descended on the young Philadelphia Union. Twelve minutes in, Steve Zakuani carved out a pass to Brad Evans who neatly finished for an early 1-nil lead. A goal the young traveling Union never recovered. Possibly in awe of Sounders home fans, but more likely phased by the pace of play. Seattle played fast, so Philly had to counter with physical play to stay alive. Their central, back-line tough-man put his stamp on his clubs début. Danny Califf put a rough knee-check into the back of Freddie Ljungberg, resulting in a straight red-card ejection. Sounders went on to win 2-nil. It’s the type of play expected from most expansion clubs.

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sketch by Gabi Campanario - 8/5/09 at Barcelona Friendly

The 2009 expansion Sounders FC raised the bar for future franchise expansion. Not only by Major League standards, but by expansion standards of clubs in any sport. The Sounders were an exception that left Philadelphia a tough act to follow.

One year later both clubs are in second place in their respective conferences. Both clubs even hold mathematical possibilities of winning their conferences. Nothing remains of either clubs frenzied expansion pace. Both clubs now have settled into confident almost champion like skin.

The Union took beloved Le Toux from the Sounders but missed the playoffs. Former Sounders fan favorite, Sebastian Le Toux has rediscovered his scoring touch in recent matches. All too familiar to Sounders fans who adopted him as a favorite in helping the Sounders win the 2007 USL-1 title. Le Toux was acquired by Philadelphia from Sounders FC in the 2010 Expansion Draft. Sounders FC left him unprotected and the Union seized the opportunity. Teams can only protect eleven players from being drafted by expansion teams.

The 2009 expansion Sounders FC set high marks even veteran clubs would love to hit. Securing a winning record with 13 wins, win their first US Open Cup, make their first playoff appearance, and celebrate in front of record crowds. Philadelphia’s fans supported their team and opened a beautiful new soccer only stadium, but were unable to win any hardware or make the playoffs.

During their first offseason, Philadelphia took stock of their priorities. Rather than be influenced by the directions of other clubs, they began to forge their own direction. The result has been a team playing with acres more confidence. They are in second place in the East and with a win against the Sounders on Saturday, clinch their first playoff spot.

For much of the season the Union led the Eastern Conference. A conference exchanging leaders throughout the season. Top seed will likely change hands a time or two again before the final playoff positions are determined in the last three matches.

Philadelphia Union - 2009 Expansion

Their top-seeded form has waned since they rose to the top of the East early on. Their matches have been close and physical. Their defense ranks among the best in MLS allowing only 34 goals in 31 matches. Goals haven’t come easy.

Philadelphia only trails Eastern leaders Sporting Kansas City by one point. Retaking the lead and finishing at the top of the East would be a way to mark their confident rise as one of the best clubs in Major League Soccer in only their second year.

“Mathematically”, the Sounders could still pass the LA Galaxy to win the Supporters Shield for best overall record. LA would have to help by doing no better than losing and drawing their final two matches. The kind of results they have avoided all season. Through 32 matches they have lost only 4.

Sigi Schmid continually amazes with his ability to rest players and still put out a competitive line-up. For the Sounders, health seems to be a greater concern. As much as they would love to win in front of their home crowd, and make a push for the Supporters Shield, they have injuries to heel and injuries to prevent. Sounders have been without Mauro Rosales since his injury to DC United. Working him back into the lineup, resting some players, and giving minutes to others will be of more playoff value to Sigi and his Sounders.

A preview of a possible MLS Cup Final?  Unlikely with LA and New York at the center of the playoff scene. Yet, with both clubs quickly shedding their expansion skin, revealing confidence usually only seen with veteran franchises, a championship preview on Saturday is not unthinkable.

© 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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Can the Sounders win EVERYTHING? – Columbus Crew vs Seattle Sounders FC

27 08 2011

Seattle Sounders FC host Columbus Crew tomorrow on the X-Box pitch at CenturyLink Field, at 1:00 pm (PST)

* Be sure to take the Poll at the bottom of this post.  Add your comments about how you feel the Sounders will finish this year and what, if any hardware they will add to their trophy case.

Columbus Crew - 2008 MLS Cup Champions

Columbus Crew leading the Eastern Conference and Seattle Sounders FC second in the Western Conference? Considering most people picked talent heavy, New York Red Bulls as clear Eastern Conference champions, along with Steve Zakuani’s broken leg occurring early in Seattle’s season, most thoughts of Columbus and Seattle being significant playoff contenders seemed highly unlikely.

Here we are, eight matches to go and arguably the two hottest MLS teams square off in one of this weekends more compelling matches with significant playoff positioning at stake.

Last Saturday, Columbus defeated Philadelphia 2-1 at Crew Stadium to go four points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference. The same day, Seattle traveled to 106-degree Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas and defeated FC Dallas for sole possession of second place in the Western Conference. It was Seattle’s first win in Texas.

Seattle scores and Columbus defends. At 36 goals, Seattle is among the top five MLS clubs in scoring. A remarkable turnaround from an early season lack of goals. Defensively, Columbus is tied for third in the league at 24 for fewest goals allowed. That said, both clubs are well-balanced at both ends.  Columbus has excellent attacking forwards, like US International, Robbie Rogers, Emilio Renteria, and Andres Mendoza. Seattle’s defense went through a July stretch of letting in a few more goals than Keller prefers. In their last three matches, Seattle has only allowed one goal and recorded two shutouts.

Since Sigi Schmid left Columbus in 2008 the Crew have yet to defeat the Sounders. Sigi won the 2008 MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew. Sounders FC lured him to Seattle for their inaugural 2009 season. In this, his third season, he was awarded a four-year contract extension through the 2015 season. In MLS regular season play the Crew’s record against Seattle is 0-wins, 2-losses, and 3-draws.  They also lost to Seattle last year in the US Open Cup final.

US Open Cup - Sounders FC 2009, 2010 Champions

Last season featured two significant matches that give the Crew strong desire for pay-back. The first, in September, a 4-nil drubbing in Columbus. Including Sounders FC’s first hat-trick from Blaise Nkufo. The second was a 2-1 US Open Cup final loss at Qwest Field. Seattle’s second consecutive US Open Cup title.

Columbus wants to change the trend.  Both Seattle’s regular season wins were in Columbus. While both the Crew’s trips to Seattle ended in 1-1 draws.

What three points would do.  A win and the Crew would likely put insurmountable distance over Eastern Conference favorites New York Red Bulls.  Significant, since the Red Bulls were preseason favorites to win the Eastern Conference, and the MLS Cup.  With a Seattle win, the Sounders would march three points closer to LA, for top spot in the Western Conference.  Further securing their second place spot.  Seattle trails LA by six points for the top spot in MLS.

Enjoying the possibilities.  When I started this site, it was to follow the Sounders rise through Major League Soccer to become one of the world’s most successful soccer clubs.  The Sounders are making greater strides towards that goal in their third season than I imagined.  This coming Tuesday, August 30th, they face FC Dallas in a US Open Cup semi-final.  A win sends Sounders FC to a third consecutive final.  In regular season MLS standings, Seattle sits second in the league.  Meaning playoff positioning is more favorable than the first two seasons.  It also means they trail LA by six points for the Supporters Shield.  The Supporters Shield goes to the MLS club with the highest points total at the end of the season.  (win = 3 pts, draw = 1 pt)  It would be a surprise to pass LA, but the possibility is real. After two CONCACAF matches the Sounders have already doubled their effort from last year. They now lead their Champions League Group D with 2-wins (6 points).  The top top teams from each group goes to the CONCACAF Quarter-Finals.  (4 Groups with 4 teams in each)

Nothing accomplished. No victory celebrations to report, yet. The Sounders are one of only two teams in Major League Soccer competing as legitimate contenders in three competitions.  MLS, US Open Cup, and CONCACAF.  The other team is FC Dallas. Matches like this one against the Columbus Crew show how competitive the Sounders have become.  Every match feels like it’s 106-degrees in Frisco, Texas. The intensity from heated pressure of each match also brings cool fresh hope.  The blue sky is the limit for the Rave Green.  I have no idea how many chances I will have to ask this question with hopeful pride.  So here goes.  Is this the year Sounders win Everything?

* Scroll over the “Share” button below this page to share on Facebook, Twitter, & others.  Feel free to “like” or +1 if you use Google.  Thank you for supporting and reading, Sales on Sounders.  Your comments are greatly appreciated.  

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Wet Hot Refs in Seattle – Champions League Second Leg – San Francisco FC at Sounders FC

3 08 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

. . . and at halftime, San Francisco Fútbol Club de La Chorrera, leads “our brave men in Rave Green” by one goal to nil.

OK, not a true halftime.  This second leg of the two leg Champions League qualification round has become a must-win match for Seattle.  The seven time Liga Panameña de Fútbol champions have a precious one goal lead.  Seattle had lapses of concentration mixed with moments of sluggishness on a muggy wet turf.  Still, they owned enough possession and created enough chances to deserve a draw.  A goal to the good lead would not have been out of the question. The must-win second leg, tomorrow at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, feels like the second half of a highly anticipated playoff match.  That said, it’s good Seattle doesn’t have to play another half after eighteen hours of air travel on soft, wet turf in hot heat.

Seattle’s faithful traveling supporters, the ECS (Emerald City Supporters) were audible in Panama.  An additional 18,000 fans, and a mild Cascadia summer heat should play to the Sounders advantage.

San Francisco FC’s, Roberto Brown converted a 28th minute penalty kick.  The call was questionable, but enough precedent exists to support the decision.  The call was given for a Jeff Parke handball.  A simple means for assessing a handball is to ask, “did the ball play the hand, or did the hand play the ball”?  Parke’s touch was clearly unintentional.  He lost balance, and while falling backwards the ball plays his hand. Enough hand to ball action occurs in the penalty box a call surely had to be made. That sounds rated “R”, but the Refs call can not be faulted.  Parke took ownership of the issue after the match.  You always have to trust that the Gods of the Beautiful Game balance theses things out.  Roles reversed, Sounders supporters would feel justified in the call being given against San Francisco.  All is almost fair in soccer and Champions League.

The run of play favored Seattle.  But as you’ve seen me say in other instances over the last 18 months, the issue for Sounders FC is converting chances.  That brings us to Wednesday’s match.  Converting chances sets the stage for the second leg.  That is what this leg will be about. Create and score.  Sounders need two goals to win.  They showed they were the better side in Panama.  Now they need to put the result in the books.

Motivation should be high.  Champions League play is time to build pedigree and put it on display.  Advancing to the Group Stages is the stuff of great soccer tradition, and builds a global reputation.  It is also playoff preparation. And this team needs it, like tough needs love.

Two consecutive years making the MLS playoffs shows potential.  Two consecutive years exiting the playoffs in the first round shows unrealized potential.  The first round of the MLS playoffs are a two leg series, like Champions League play.  Tough, physical, grind it out, one goal games are what Sounders FC need work on most.  Champions League is home to that type of play.  The best opportunity they will get to develop that part of their game.  Defeating San Francisco tomorrow is not only about high motivation, it is imperative for the Sounders to advance beyond the first round of the MLS playoffs.

Credits:  Arlo White, Seattle Sounders FC official broadcaster.  ”Men in Rave Green” and “Our brave men in Rave Green”.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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