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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Whitecaps and Sounders – Cascadia Rivalry – North American Soccer History

11 06 2011
The Cascadia Rivalry

Cascadia Rivalry - Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps

Out of the Fire and into Cascadia.  Last week, Kasey Keller, Seattle’s Goal Keeper extraordinaire pulled out another brilliant performance from his satchel of well aged magic.  His effort was key in bringing Sounders FC a well-earned point for their nil-nil draw in Chicago. This week Seattle hosts its Canadian Cascadia rival, Vancouver Whitecaps.

Saturday at Qwest Field is another historic milestone for the Sounders and US Soccer. A rivalry since 1974, the Cascadia Clash with Vancouver and Seattle has been promoted to its most prominent level yet.  With Vancouver Whitecaps FC joining Major League Soccer this year, along with Portland, the complete Cascadia Rivalry is now more than ever an international experience.  If you’re hooked on tweets, this week is #Vancouverweek on Twitter.  And with the rapture behind us, one would think little could capture our social network attention more than babies and cats on You Tube. The complete release of Cascadia unleashed on North America is officially a strong competitor.

If Portland is our backyard, mudslinging half-brother, Vancouver is our gentlemanly, and worldly cousin.  At first glance, Sounders and Whitecaps cause a gentler Cascadia rumble than the more eruptive Sounders and Timbers edition.  With Vancouver’s sporting brethren, the National Hockey League, Vancouver Canucks vying for the Stanley Cup.  Vancouver fans are well versed in bone crushingly intense team sport.  Seeing usually gentlemanly and courteous athletes be complete sportsmen one minute, then drop gloves, fight, and bite fingers the next, is more common in Vancouver than Seattle.  In Vancouver, they know their sport.

Alan Hinton

Alan Hinton - From Derby County to Cascadia

If you ever want an amazing athlete, coach, and entertaining sports personality to emulate, or influence future youth athletes, then Alan Hinton is my personal recommendation.  His Cascadia legacy in the Vancouver-Seattle rivalry extends both sides of the border.  He is one man standing above all others in making the Whitecaps and Sounders rivalry what it is today.  He knows the rivalry inside out, having been on both sides.  A natural-born storyteller, he retells many of the rivalries great stories and has played many of its most significant roles.  Including playing for Vancouver, coaching for both, and now as a TV and Radio Analyst with Sounders FC.

NASL

North American Soccer League - 1968-1985

Both teams formed in 1974, joining the NASL (North American Soccer League).  Alan Hinton joined Vancouver in 1978.  Originally from England, he played for arguably one of the greatest English Premier League coaches, Brian Clough at Derby County.  His 30 assists for the Whitecaps in 1978 are still a high level achievement even by current soccer standards.  In 1980 he joined the Seattle Sounders earning 25-wins 7-losses.  If you want insight, intellect, and great humor, then you want to know Alan Hinton.  ”When the season schedule is released the first thing you do is look for when you  play the Whitecaps”.  ”When I was at the Whitecaps we almost always beat the Sounders.  When I was at the Sounders we always beat the Whitecaps”.  

Sports are events bringing large numbers of diverse groups of people together.  People hungry to find some tiny bit of soulful commonality.  Something that truly binds us all together.  Soccer is our worlds best team sport example.  Alan Hinton is the wise and colorful voice who has made this regions best sports rivalry one of its best long-standing sporting events.  He has helped transform this rivalry into a can’t miss event.

On Saturday night, the rivalry turns 37.  So, on Twitter I gave this rivalry week another hash-tag name.  Instead of #VancouverWeek, I prefer #AlanHintonWeek.

In the three team Cascadia rivalry, Vancouver has the only league title.  In 1979 they won Soccer Bowl ’79 and were NASL Champions.  The Timbers and Sounders both reached NASL finals but neither won.

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

Finding success in Major League Soccer will be a bigger challenge for Vancouver than in the NASL.  Parity in the league makes matches tightly contested, so no one team has dominated the sport since Houston winning repeat MLS Championships in ’06 & ’07. Sounders FC set a high bar winning back-to-back US Open Cup titles in its first two seasons.  Vancouver would like to feed off that energy.  Some first season issues have posed challenges in their transition to MLS.  Coaching changes and ticketing issues with supporters have been two obstacles.

Stadium seating location and pricing for their Southsiders Supporters group caused an initial stir.  Much of which Vancouver’s front office has resolved.  But it has left lingering communication concerns between the teams Front Office and its Supporters. More recently their coaching change has been the bigger issue.

As bright and entertaining as the Whitecaps have been on the pitch, they have struggled in getting results that satisfy their ownership.  Teitur Thordarson was the coach that helped build the Whitecaps into a successful USL team on its way to Major League Soccer.  Tom Soehn, former DC United coach was brought in as their Director of Soccer Operations.  In Vancouver’s first three MLS months, Thordarson delivered a 1-win, 5-loss, 6-draw record.  A thrilling 4-2 inaugural victory over Toronto FC didn’t yield more wins.  Continual close matches were ultimately not the result their Front Office wanted.  Tom Soehn is now the interim coach.

1974 - 1983

With high expectations to turn things around, and little room to fall further, the Whitecaps come to Qwest Field hungry to prove they are the talented high-flying team everyone witnessed in its inaugural match.  The first edition of the MLS Cascadia Rivalry between the two historic clubs in front of a sold out stadium, and national audience is the best chance they will have.  The Sounders are in equal need of joy for recent efforts and fan support.  So the match is sure to be the most hotly contested weekend match.

Off the pitch, Vancouver Week has been more nostalgic than the backyard mudslinging building up to the Portland match.  Come game time, that politeness will disintegrate. Vancouver’s Designated Player, Eric Hassli has accumulated 3 red cards.  The Sounders wont try to antagonize him into a 4th, but they wont stop him from losing his cool either.  That threat of his boiling intensity will keep fans on their seats wondering if Vancouver shows its dangerous potential.  An upset in front of 36,000 at Qwest field would put their season right in one match.  Sounders FC is fully aware, but can not afford to sit back and defend from that happening.  Sounders FC needs all 3 points for a win.  A single point for a draw is no help.  They will play for the win, which will defensively give the Whitecaps opportunities to counter attack.  Tonight could be a tightly contested 1-0 victory for one lucky team or it could turn into an eruption of Cascadia goals.

I’ll spill my bias:  3-2 Sounders FC.

Contributions:  Jacob Cristobal,  http://www.critiqulous.com/   For a little added excitement, here is the new “All In” Adidas commercial featuring the Portland-Seattle edition of the Cascadia Rivalry.

Sounders FC, weekly feature, “Round Table”, hosted by Tony Ventrella, with guests Matt Gasch, Alan Hinton, and Emerald City Supporters President, Greg Mockos.

© 2011 by Ryan Sales – http://www.salesonsounders.com


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Cascadia Clash – When Rose City Meets Rave Green

13 05 2011

The Portland Timbers come to Seattle.  The Cascadia Rivalry comes to America.  The rumble you feel is not Mt Hood, or Mt Rainier ready to blow, like St Helens.  That is the sound of Timbers coming to Qwest Field, for a nationally televised match with Sounders FC.  When Rose City meets Rave Green this Saturday, it’s no ordinary Spring Garden Show.

Calling out for national attention, this clash between Portland and Seattle is hosted by Major League Soccer.  For a show stopping spectacle, look past the match on the pitch to the supporters in the stands.  Both clubs colorfully fervent supporters promise displays not common to any usual American sport.  If you own an H-D with 3-D, ultra intense vibration, surround sound-mega-TV, then this match is custom made for your home viewing pleasure.  Either that, or be there.

The Cascadia Rivalry

Cascadia Rivalry: Timbers Army, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps

Commercial

Hey, you like our coffee.  You use our technology at work and home, even on the go. You order our wine.  You enjoy our diverse taste in food.  You download our music. And now you love our TV show, Portlandia.  A second season is on its way.  Now come try our soccer.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled blogging.

The History

NASL

North American Soccer League - 1968-1985

Saturday night’s match introduces the three-way Pacific Northwest rivalry to America’s growing Major League Soccer television audience.  Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Seattle Sounders form a rivalry brewing since Seattle and Vancouver formed in 1974, with Portland a year later.  Neighborly soccer ended in only the fourth match between Portland and Seattle on August 12, 1975.  In a playoff match in Portland, with 31,523 soccer passionate fans a taste of everything to come spilled onto the pitch.  Tied 1-1, the teams went to overtime.  Portland earned a corner that Seattle defended but couldn’t clear.  Portland worked the ball out to the left flank, where it was crossed into the top of the penalty box meeting a leaping Timber, who arched it in for a game winning header.  Announcers barely had time to call the winning goal when fans began spilling onto the field in celebration.  Thirty-six years later the passion is not only still brewing, it’s about to start a new chapter in US Soccer History.  Anticipation for this weekends match has become national attention more for the passion spilled into the stands as the play on the pitch.

The Pacific Northwest regional rivalry was named, Cascadia Cup in 2004.  The history of the rivalry itself dates to the clubs first meeting, May 2nd, 1975.  What makes the rivalry unique?  Large, consistent numbers of passionate supporters.  Seattle’s attendance averaged 16,830 in 1975 while the entire 2010 MLS average was 16,675.

All three teams originally formed in the NASL (North American Soccer League).  It was not structured and ran as well as Major League Soccer, but it had many big-time names.  The most notable player in NASL history was one of the most notable in soccer history.  Pele.

Less Pele and more Levesque.

The NASL folded in 1984, but Pacific Northwest soccer continued.  Sometimes from comedic creativity.  Club names like Stars and Seadogs played in various types of leagues from indoor to speed soccer.  Yet Timbers and Sounders never faded away.

In 1994 the Sounders were on the doorstep of joining the inaugural Major League Soccer season.  One issue preventing that was the perceived conflict of having two teams named “Sounders” playing in both an A-League and MLS status.  Many people talked about the relationship like a “farm club”.  The idea was rejected.  Interesting note:  MLS added a Reserve League for 2011.  From 1994 to 2008, Seattle played in A-League/USL-1 soccer leagues winning 4 championships.  Brian Ching and Marcus Hahnemann are two notable players during that era.  Yet one name stands above all for assisting in the growing intensity of Saturday’s match.  Levesque.

Roger Levesque.

Roger Levesque

At the end of the 2007 season with Seattle in process to move to Major League Soccer, Roger took a short exhibition stint with Vancouver and Portland.  His one game with Portland brimmed with animosity.  Fans “booed” him every time he touched the ball.  Sending the message to Timbers owner, Merritt Paulson that he was not a real Timber. “True Fans Hate Levesque” read the banner hanging over the rail of the Timbers Army.

Strong words for a player known as one of the hardest working players in MLS today. Did he intentionally kick a fallen Timbers keeper in the face in 2003?  Did he kick warm-up shots into the stands where Timbers Army supporters stood?  I asked Timber fans.  I have yet to have two similar answers.  What I know for certain, Levesque scores goals against Timbers.  Most notable is his 2009 US Open Cup goal scored in the first minute.  After scoring on Portland, Levesque ran to Sounders teammate Nate Jaqua, who proceeded to chop him down and fall to ground.  A third Sounder joined the choreographed celebration and along with Jaqua carried Roger away like cut lumber.  Timbers supporters haven’t forgotten the celebration on their home pitch. How does that one song go?  ”R-E-S-P-E-C-T”?  Or, is it R-E-V-E-N-G-E?

The Fans

There were no Timbers Army or ECS (Emerald City Supporters) in 1975.  But there were large volumes of fans.  Fans, like yours truly, ready to promote this unique American rivalry into a third generation.

There may be no recipe for making soccer fans out of sports fans, but there is a recipe for being a soccer fan.  Start with a pint of any preference.  A simple recipe includes drums, rhythmic clapping, a hint of sulfur infused smoke, sparkling flares layered with a guttural wash of continuous chanting.  Add *tifo and the scene is complete.

1974 - 1983

The Rivalry

The first Super Bowl I paid attention to was Super Bow XIII, in 1979 between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.  I watched sitting next to my Granddad in his TV room.  He was a huge Cowboys fan.  He had to be.  He was a rancher boy from Texas.

Growing up, when the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks played everything stopped.  All you could do was make plans with friends and family to see the game. Climbing Mt Hood or Mt Rainier were the only alternative activities.   Every game was close.  Never a clear favorite.  Season records never mattered when the Seahawks faced the Raiders.  Intensity and national ratings were always high.  It’s how a rivalry should be.  It’s only about one game.  It’s “all in”.  Chips only come in two values.  Complete exhilaration or pure disappointment.

Rivalry passion is at the core of every sports fan.  You can love whatever game it is, with whomever is playing all you want, and feel neutral for your passion towards every great player and every exciting team.  That is, until your Granddad, spouse, friend. local grocery clerk, bar tender, boss, or guy on the bus asks you the one hardest question.  ”Who’s your team?”  There is no New York Red Sox, or Boston Yankees.  You ultimately pick one.  And your answer defines you.  Pick the right team and the grocery clerk says, “the ice-cream is on me”.  You receive hugs and high-fives.  Pick the other team, and find the nearest exit.

This is jargon you’ve read a thousand times before with teams from New York, LA, Dallas, Boston/New England and many more.  So, isn’t it time to try something new.  Add a new rivalry to the collection of great American sports rivalries.

Classic Greek Theatre

Are you Rave Green, or are you Rose City?  Whose chorus do you belong?

Portland Timbers old logo

Portland Timbers old logo

Yes, this answer defines you forever.  Like a marriage proposal to the gods, it doesn’t force your hand to become a sports fan, if that’s not your thing, but it evokes a curious nuance of life that lifts the soul, and lets you experience an event with the greatest commitment of spirit.  For 90 minutes there is no recession, no Afghanistan, no hedge fund scammers, and no terrorist insurgents.  The decision will lift your soul to something bigger than sport.  Your living and dying on every shot transcends normal behavior.  Your vaulted, vocal prayers and spirited hand waving burns calories and energizes your hopeful team to defeat the evil others.  Then, when the match is over, depending on the result, you boast your mighty brilliance or muse the conspiracies of ridiculous and underserved defeat.  Then you go home.  A few Sunday chores and your mind turns to the workweek ahead.

The beautiful thing about a rivalry, you don’t have to wait too long until it comes back again.

* * * * *

Terms & Notes

*Tifo - Tifo is a simple Italian term for banners or flags hung or waved by supporters at designated stadium sections, specific to sporting events.
*ECS – Emerald City Supporters.  Largest Sounders FC official Supporters Group.  Additional Note:  I joined in 2010.  For the 2009 inaugural season I was independent of any supporters group choosing an individual team identity and relationship before joining.
*Timbers Army – aka TA, is official Supporters Group of the Portland Timbers.

© 2011 by Ryan J Sales


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A Slice for Portland Timbers – Inaugural Home Match vs Chicago Fire

13 04 2011

 

Rose City

Portland Timbers - 2011 Inaugural MLS club badge

Portland plays host, Thursday night, April 14th for Major League Soccer‘s national spotlight match vs the Chicago Fire.  Portland’s famous downtown PGE Park, is remodeled and expanded into shiny new JELD-WEN Field.  Another exceptional soccer only stadium accomplishment for patient and successfully expanding Major League Soccer.

Rose City turns, “Portlandia”, crazy for its inaugural Major League season home match.  As wildly fictional, and comically pleasing as the hip TV series, “Portlandia” has become, the inaugural season Rose City soccer club provides an equally exciting, non-fiction, real world contrast.  Yes, Timbers are hip, cool and posing sexy in plaid. Their fans are real deal soccer.  No fiction.  No comedy.  No Pity. You want soccer supporter chant, then go Portland.  You want nice and polite people, then park and walk the Pearl District by day.  Because JELD-WEN Field will be rocking with barely controlled intensity, and a wild ruckus fever come 8:00 kickoff.

“Take No Pity in the Rose City”.  Ask directions to Powell bookstore.  Ask how good Voodoo Doughnut really is.  Ask when the next city bus is coming.  You may well have twenty Portlandians help you with bus times, directions, which five books to buy, the dozen doughnuts you “MUST” have, and possibly offer their bikes to you if buses are running late.  You will feel an instant residential citizenship to Portland. Unless you commit one of the three evil grudges.  Three things you never do:  Ask directions to Starbucks, ask anything about Seattle, or mention the name, Roger Levesque.  If you do, you will wake up feeling more Voodoo than doughnut.

Portland Timbers inaugural ad billboards and local models.

For many people, soccer gatherings with excited soccer supporters only equals, “hooligans”.  A term no longer considered appropriate or even humorous to Seattle and Portland supporters. Both clubs supporter groups recently went above and beyond to show class efforts in demonstrating how a few guidelines allow for intensity and passion to be demonstrated with a kind of excitement you can describe as fun and controlled. Not disconcerting and reckless. Prost America Soccer, published on their site a list of “Do’s and Don’t's” that Portland Timbers supporters put together for Thursday nights inaugural season home match.  A bit contrived, it sends a definitive signal that passionate soccer fans know how to behave as first class supporters.
See:  Timbers Army send out right signals to newcomers, by Prost Amerika Soccer

As intensely bitter as the Sounders and Timbers rivalry is, Thursday nights instant classic is a rare opportunity to put all rivalry aside.  Portland represents the best example of a passionate small market sports franchise city.  Their growth is the growth of Major League Soccer and more importantly, the growth of soccer in America.  While Sounders FC established new standards for launching a sports franchise, effectively rooted in the growth and success of Major League Soccer, Portland represents the first of what hopefully becomes expansion for an additional 10-20 similar sized American cities.  Cities too small for NFL, are perfectly situated for 20,000 soccer only stadiums over the next 10-15 years.   Seattle’s self-proclaimed “Capital of Soccer in America”, and Portland’s self-proclaimed “Soccer City USA”, surprisingly don’t conflict.  In all fairness to both clubs supporters, the proclamations are fair reflections of their supporters truth and dedication to the growth of the league.

Timber Jim, begins sawing logs in earnest on Thursday night.  It’s the first match since 1982 where Portland Timbers are playing in a top-tier professional American soccer league.  Major League Soccer has been on a slower rise than the former NASL. The league has risen at a deliberately controlled pace keeping profitability and growth on a leash.  Portland and Vancouver, both 2011 expansion teams, represent the 17th & 18th teams in MLS.  Montreal Impact, will be the 19th addition next year.

Timber fan Don’ts:  Use any pompoms, have a dance squad, or use colorful laser-beams mixed with electronica dance music for player introductions. Timber fan Do’s: Stand and chant for the full 90, intimidate opposing teams with flag waving and smoke, have a Timber with a chainsaw, who cuts to excite the crowd, including complete round cut slices each time a goal is scored.  The fortunate goal-poachers raise these slices above their head at the conclusion of home matches.

Will you learn anything tomorrow watching the Timbers inaugural home match?  I hope not.  I truly, madly, deeply hope you do not learn a thing.  I hope you are entertained.  I hope you watch the best reality TV ever produced for a mid-week prime time slot.  I hope you realize how quickly soccer comes to conclusion compared to Major League Baseball, Golf or all other American sports.  I hope, like a delicious dish of dessert, you realize how wildly unpredictable this team sport is.  I hope you cherish the creativity of the game and its surrounding atmosphere.  So much so, you want to take in the live experience for yourself at a match like the one Portland will host Thursday night.  In your home town.  I hope you want to be like Portland.

Say it with me, “Take No Pity In The Rose City”.

Timber Jim with chainsaw


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The Battle For New York: Seattle Sounders FC v New York Red Bulls

20 03 2011

 

Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders 'til I die - WIN NOW!

After losing MLS First Kick last Tuesday, 1-0 to LA Galaxy, a good Sounders friend said, “hey, 33 more matches to go, with a total possible of 99 points.  Up Sounders”.  One thing Seattle fans are always good for is seeing sunny possibilities from dreary results.  When your NFL team is the first to have a losing record in winning its division, then knocks out the defending Super Bowl champions, it’s fair to say you live someplace where people work hard to find the emerald on a cloudy day.  The 1995 Mariners slogan “Refuse to Lose” seems technologically, if not socially engineered into our Pacific Northwest makeup.  Up Sounders indeed!

On to Harrison, New Jersey.

Saturday, March 19th, not even one week into the new MLS season and we are off to the Big Apple for the New York Red Bulls home opener.  Thiery Henry, the French superstar and Arsenal icon will be starting his first full MLS season.  He wears a bullseye on him larger than the one Sounders FC wears as a franchise.  if he fails, then who else would come to MLS from abroad?  It may not be as harsh as that, but to US soccer starved faithful, and a surrounding critical sports culture it feels that way.  More people say they would watch MLS if there were more good stars.  There are few names that carry the iconic wight of Henry.  The Sounders just faced two others, with Beckham and Donovan, in last Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to LA.  The Red Bulls feel pressure to “Win Now” same as Sounders FC.  With their home secure in Harrison, New Jersey and second season in their beautiful new soccer only stadium, they have a need to win now.  Especially since Major League Soccer has made it clear they want the 20th MLS club, after #19 Montreal in 2012, to be the former NASL, New York Cosmos.  A championship would help carve out their longtime niche, in that global supermarket sports city.  Big Apple teams flow by the dozens, so a golden season would be delicious.

Oh come on, I had to.  You know you’re laughing.  You’d have done the same.  I mean this isn’t the New York Times.  Give me that one.

OK, apple puns aside, what can be said about an early season match like this?  Blaise Nkufo is gone!  Barely an hour prior to the

New York Cosmos

Former NASL giant, New York Cosmos

home opener vs LA, the Sounders and Blaise Nkufo parted ways.  How his DP (Designated Player) status equates to value is not fully known yet.  Mauro Rosales, the best Sounders last name yet, was picked up from Argentina last week.  He was wearing #10 in practice, meaning his skill is clearly on par with current starters.  When Sigi brings him in he will most likely play a central attacking midfielder role helping to set up strikers and wingers for more goals.  His bio includes time on classic Dutch side, Ajax, and recently with Argentina’s, River Plate.  He was also part of the Argentina Olympic Team in 2004.

Preseason injuries to Nate Jaqua, Brad Evans, and Michael Fucito continue to linger.  So the departure of Nkufo and addition of Rosales adds more questions than answers.  Rosales did trial with Sounders FC during preseason, but has little game experience with them.

What I see from this still young, third year team, is a sense of not being shaken.  They want goals bad, but they haven’t lost their poise. After literally absorbing Tuesday’s drenched loss, I watched the match again.  Seattle held better possession, attacked more, created more chances and outshot LA.  The loss was more about missing close chances than being outplayed.  The goal

New York Red Bulls

Sounders gave up to Juninho was defendable.  Slow reaction.  An issue?  Yes.  It would have been negated had, O’Brien White finished off his sitter, (a sure goal) or Eric Friberg hit the inside of the goal post instead of the outside.  Those shots will come. Freddy Montero was unlucky as Josh Saunders stole his goal with the save of the match.  Josh Saunders, LA’s replacement keeper ended up the rightful “man of the match”.

Continuing to attack in the manner they did Tuesday and create more of the same opportunistic chances, while defensively closing down better may give Sounders FC a surprise chance to overtake New York in its home opener.  Time will tell how the season plays out.  Early season challenges mount.  Hopefully Sounders FC meets these challenges head on, just like 36,000 rain-soaked fans did on opening night.  Seeing the proud emerald through the foggy haze is what this city is good at.  Hopefully Sounders FC will continue to represent.


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Season of the Rivalry

7 02 2011

January 25th, 2011, One month after Christmas.

Most people think one month after Christmas is too late to open Christmas presents, and far too early for next Christmas.  This Sounders FC fan celebrated Rave Green Christmas 2011 on January 25th.  Obama’s State of the Union speech, given the same evening, was a warm and jolly occasion, but nowhere near the kind of historical, all American present that soccer in the Pacific Northwest gave the same evening.  January 25th twas Christmas in the Pacific Northwest.  All three Pacific Northwest Major Soccer League clubs practiced.  Unwrapping the long-awaited Cascadia Rivalry to the sporting nation of the United States and greater footballing world.  A rivalry between Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Seattle Sounders FC.  A rivalry over 35 years old, but dormant from top flight major league status for over two decades.  Not since Michael Jackson moonwalked us into a Billie Jean dance fever have these three clubs been together in a top-flight level professional league.  That was the NASL, which folded in 1984.  This is the much improved and growing Major League Soccer.  Santa has made his world tour delivering Christmas in January.  The big present under the tree?  Training camp has broken for all three clubs.  There is easily more love for the beautiful game in the Pacific Northwest, than in any other US region.  So delivery of the Cascadia Cup to Major League Soccer and a national spotlight is everything this sporting region has wanted and been waiting for.  There is no denying, this is the year of the rivalry.

Not to overshadow Obama’s State of the Union speech, I thought I’d incorporate some of his key points and put them in a more easily understandable soccer supporter chant translation.  If Obama had consulted the Timbers Army, or Emerald City Supporters, the State of the Union speech would have had a much different tone.  Leaning over the podium, Obama’s “smoked salmon” one-liner would have generated a cooler chill of fear than laughter.  The 2011 Cascadia version of his speech may have gone something like this:

“Who are ya?  Who are ya?  Who are ya?
I scorn, at a congress of no finance reform.
I take no pity for fear of tackling social security.
I burn a flare for every vote against healthcare.
I accept no excuses for indignation, when all I want to hear are solutions for education.”

Then tifo would be raised.  Flags waiving all around.  Colorful smoke engulfing the air with sparkling flares shining through haze.  Ah yes, Christmas in January.  Fortunately, Obama’s State of the Union speech focused on our core values of Healthcare, Education, and mining all our nations cumulative efforts and resources to fuel our country’s greatest potential for returning to diversified prosperity.  Nonetheless, my native grunge for first blood of Cascadia Rivalry is so excited, I happily drifted during his speech to the one I imagined above.  My fellow Americans, passionate Cascadians, and all Major League Soccer supporters, this finest day in the year of our beautiful game, 2011 is the beginning of the Season of the Rivalry.  So, bare your colours, waive your tifo, ignite the flares, light the smoke, drink a pint, and for the love of sport, cry out from your gut . . .

“Take ‘em all, watch ‘em fall,
Put ‘em up against a wall
and shoot ‘em.
Short-n-tall, watch ‘em fall,
Come on Boys take ‘em all.”

Major League Soccer has come to a crossroads never imagined by its 1996 founders.  The previous attempt at professional soccer in the US was the NASL (North American Soccer League), which lasted from 1968-1985.  Like Major League Soccer today, most of the NASL teams never passed 15,000 in average season attendance.  Not a problem for our Cascadia fellows.  The NASL Sounders often topped 20,000.  My

NASL

North American Soccer League - 1968-1985

first professional soccer match was in the Kingdome in 1983.  The Sounders hosted rival Vancouver with an attendance over 21,000.  Not much influence from the NASL remains with our regions teams or soccer in America today.  Only a few team names and use of a penalty shootout to decide certain matches has survived.  Decline from over expansion, 24 teams at its height, was a major contributing problem.  Worse was the complete under valued use of domestic college draftees and overpaid international veterans nearing retirement.  Whereas Major League Soccer after starting in 1996 remained cautious and protective in expanding.  The double expansion of Portland and Vancouver in 2011 is a big step for the league which has pushed expansion annually since 2006.  What is different this time?  Major League Soccer has taken a big step in requiring domestic or “homegrown” players.  International or high-priced “Designated Players” are limited to 3.  The league owns all player contracts and uses a salary cap.  What separates the league more now is an increased effort to develop relationships with advertisers and sport broadcasting networks.  Especially local/Regional TV/Radio stations.  Major League Soccer has also become one of the more popular sport attractions on all social networks.  All that said, with 18 clubs, the league still has many teams consistently below an average attendance of 15,000.  Solution?  The league needs an intense colorful rivalry with all matches sold-out.   How about a threesome?  This seasons Cascadia couldn’t come at a better time for Major League Soccer.  Portland and Seattle began their derbys in 1975, so the matches wont feel like they are new or made for TV.  They will be the authentic real deal.  An example for all existing and future MLS franchises to see what American Soccer Derbys look like.  The success of the Cascadia Cup could be the open door to the leagues bright future.

 

The Cascadia Rivalry

Preseason Cascadia Summit, March 4-6 2011.

In case anyone needed proof of the intensity of this 3-way rivalry, the offseason has supplied plenty.  Kasey Keller joined the Sounders in 2009, signing a 2 year contract.  Before playing a single match for Sounders FC he said he wanted to add a third season before retiring to take part in the Cascadia Rivalry.  Sounders FC ownership made that priority one this off season.  At the end of last season Portland Timbers supporters purchased ad space on a Seattle billboard advertising their teams expansion.  The most significant evidence of multi-team rivalry intensity and influence on Major League Soccer was from supporter negotiations for away match ticket allotment to traveling supporter groups.  Initially the allotment was set at 150.  Supporter groups for all 3 clubs joined forces and pushed up the allotment to 500.  Even with that increase, most supporters wont be satisfied until that number is likely increased to 1,000 next year.  All the blogs, forums, tweets and social network posts must have caught the attention of the league.  This preseason, from March 4-6, the three Cascadia Rivals face off in a weekend Cascadia Summit.  Tickets went on sale 2/1/2011 and sold-out the same day.  Preseason!  In addition to each team facing the other, there is a Coaches and Supporters meeting on the last day of the summit.  I believe this is one of the more intriguing preseason sport spectacles I’ve heard of.  It is also an opportunity for the league to figure out how to feature fully sold-out matches with 90 minute pint drinking, and loud chanting supporters.  Welcome to soccer in America.  Welcome to Cascadia, the season of the rivalry.

Tifo

2010 prematch tifo vs LA Galaxy with Emerald City Supporters.

Something Old, Something New:  A few NASL notes:

When Sounders FC joined Major League Soccer in 2009 a new competition started.  The Heritage Cup.  No new matches were added.  Regular season results are used.  The Heritage Cup is played by former NASL teams.  For 2009 and 2010 the two competing teams were the San Jose Earthquakes and Sounders FC.  San Jose won in 2009, and Seattle in 2010.  Starting this year the Heritage Cup will be between all four former NASL teams, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Sounders FC.  The Heritage Cup will gain a little more attention this year, but nowhere near the media spotlight of the Cascadia Cup.  San Jose already participates in the California Classico with LA Galaxy.  As I write this, rumor has it the most famous NASL team, which featured Pele, the New York Cosmos are making a bid to become the 20th MLS team.


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Dear Santa, It’s a Sounders Christmas Wish

1 09 2010

Imagine it is Christmas Day.  Then imagine you are 7 years old, or 5, maybe 6, even 4 will do.  Your “Dear Santa”, Christmas wish letter, written in crayon scribbled clarity surely reached the North Pole by now?  You ache for Christmas morning.  Despite a short dream of marshmallows, candy canes, mom singing Christmas carols, ninja reindeer, and a rocket bobsled.  It was a sleepless night.  Your aching for morning reaches climax.  You explode from your bed into spirals of clothes.  In a single thrust and splat you are downstairs.  Is there proof he came?  The cookie you left him?  Oh yes, it is gone alright.  The sprinkled crumbs over a short scribbled note written on the napkin you left him, are absolute proof.  ”Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas”.  Presents are stacked, wrapped in sparkle, flicker, and bows all around the tree.  Definite absolute proof.  He was here.  Now that his presence delivering presents has been proved, it is only about one present.  The one you cast your wish for.  The one you took time to specifically write him for.  The one you wish for above all others.  Did he get your letter?  Did it get to the North Pole in time?  Was it lost in a blizzard?  You lost sleep over this one.  Over everything else, you want this one.  Concept of space and time is useless.  You feel swirled and stuck, captured in still life with Christmas tree and aching desire.  Then comes the joyful misery of outrageous and extensive morning ceremony.  You die a little with each firework-flashbulb-snapshot of pleasantry.  Nothing.  Your letter was lost.  Your letter didn’t matter.  Santa never even read it.  It is over as quickly as it came.  Your wish got lost up the chimney.  Then, through the blur of misery and spectacle a voice says, “did you see the one in the corner?”  Nothing was missed.  This thought confuses you.  Is this ridicule?  With your cosmic accurate radar, ultra powered precision laser beam, and brain inserted sonar present detector there is no possible way you missed, “the one in the corner”.  Like a police officer on duty, you oblige the voice, turn to the corner and walk toward it like a cowboy in a sundown showdown.  There will be no ridicule here.  A child’s lost wish is on the line.  Bundles of bows and torn sparkle paper from the other, mostly fun presents, are pushed aside.  Static electricity, hair standing, you are frightened by the impossibility there is one left in the corner.  You surge forward, “could this really, truly be the one”?  You muse the possibility, for an instant.  Shreds of ribbon and paper fly.  In thrill and delight you reveal, a box.  A box?  Death by ridicule.  You faint.  You have lost all desire to ever, ever wish for anything ever, ever again.  Again the voice.  ”Well, aren’t you curious what’s inside”?  No decorations and lots of heavy tape.  The plainness disappoints you.  The words “Dining Room Dishes” in thick black marker confuses you, especially in a morning of super fantastic spectacular.  In certain defeat you stare down the box.  You poke and pick at the tape with one finger.  Then two. three, both hands join in the sudden scratch and tear of fury from lost hope.  The last shred of tape torn away.  The flaps of the box pulled back.  Christmas tree lights shine inside the box like hundreds of flashlights pointing the way in a dark cave.  Peering inside, doubt and icecap like disappointment slowly melt away.  Something larger than love swells all around you.  It is come true.  This is your Christmas wish.

I have not had the glorious pleasure of celebrating the passing of that moment to a son or daughter.  Challenges in having children has been a dark life challenge.  Yet, in this 41-year-old frame, I’ve found my child’s age in my own unique sports franchise.  No imagining or wishing. It is real, and I am part of it.  I didn’t inherit an existing team.  One entrenched in the local community for generations.  Instead, I’ve been part of starting one.  In Seattle, there is a long settled belief that we are a likely candidate for Soccer Capitol of America.  Our fan base was tops when the Sounders joined the NASL in 1974, and the entire league was crumbling in certain decline when we left a decade later in 1984.  We have been ready and waiting ever since.  Waiting for our Christmas wish to have a “top flight” club.  No “A-League”, no “USL“.  We have wanted only what we felt was the right kind of soccer.  ”Top Flight”, “Premiership”, “Major League”.

2010 US Open Cup

Finally, unwrapped in confetti and fireworks in March 2009, the Sounders jumped out of a plain box sports league, Major League Soccer.  From the start Sounders FC leapt in with international expectations never sought by any US team from any US sport.  Success in Seattle is a self-imposed demand stated above even the most hopeful wishes other franchises have started with.  Winning an MLS Cup league title is not good enough.  Sounders want to be number one in the world.  The first US team to win a FIFA Club World Cup.

As the Sounders battled through the 2009 US Open Cup, every owner and supporter sweated with grasped scarves and crossed fingers.  Would we have winning action to support our wishful words?  In the Sounders final two USL seasons leading up to MLS expansion they made their presence felt in the US Open Cup.  Reaching the semi-final in both 2007 and 2008.  Knocking out a handful of MLS teams in the process.  Then came the start of the 2009 inaugural Major League Soccer season.  Sounders FC started league play going 3-0 and were swept up in a whirlwind of Rave Green hysteria.  Quietly, they began US Open Cup Play-In qualification rounds.  With none of the same excitement and press as the inaugural matches the Sounders qualified for the 2009 US Open Cup.  The matches were played at 5,000 seat Starfire in Tukwila.  The matches sold out but didn’t have the same newsworthiness.  Plus the team was really copying its previous USL achievements.  They pushed all the way to a third straight semi final.  The opponent was the powerful Houston Dynamo.  It appeared a pat on the back was all that was in store for our young MLS franchisee.  Late in stoppage-time, tied 1-1, his head wrapped like a wounded soldier, Nate Jaqua scored the winning goal.  ESPN did not show Nate’s dazzling winning goal on Sports Center.  It should have.  Because forget that it is soccer, forget it was in Tukwila, forget it is only the US Open Cup, it was one of the more entertaining and exciting highlight worthy sports finishes.  After heated debate over where the final would be played, a slighted Sounders FC ownership had to bow to the whims of Major League Soccer’s lovechild DC United.  They would fly to RFK stadium to face the leagues most beloved and storied franchise on its home pitch.  Seattle went on to win 2-1.  Two hundred Sounders fans flew to DC and nearly out roared United’s 20,000.  Winning the 2009 US Open Cup trophy in our inaugural season sent a message to the league that Sounders is more than talk.

With the 2009 US Open Cup victory, Sounders FC gained its first opportunity at international glory.  A 2010 CONCACAF Champions League Play-In match vs Isidro Metapan.  A decent stepping stone for a franchise entering only its second season.  Sounders defeated Isidro Metapan in a 2-leg play-in series for CONCACAF Champions League qualification.  Winning at home 1-0, and drawing away 1-1.  The Sounders won on aggregate goals 2-1.  This placed Seattle into the CONCACAF Champions League group stages.  The Sounders drew Group C with Saprissa, Marathon, and mighty Monterrey of Mexico.  Easily the “group of death” of the 2010 Champions League.   How delicious.  How wishful.  Only season two, and the Sounders play their first meaningful international matches.  The US Open Cup may be as plain-box a tournament as we have in the US.  Little exposure, and “dining room dishes” written on top of the box.  Yet, if you have an ounce of competitive passion in you and believe you know what love for sport is, then this tournament is the best American Christmas wish US Soccer has to offer.

The US Open Cup started in 1914.  One of the oldest tournaments of its type in the world of soccer.  However until Major League Soccer started in 1996, when DC United won the US Open Cup, no team you or I ever heard of had won the tournament.  It allows professional and amateur teams to compete.  Since 1996 when MLS joined, only one non MLS club has won.   The Rochester Raging Rhinos won in 1999.  The Sounders were close in 2007 and 2008.  No other professional American team sport has a competitive tournament like this.  Tournaments where, let’s say, Durham could potentially face the Yankees.  In soccer it happens each year in the US Open Cup.

I wished for this.  An imagination gift.  A plain box club in a plain box league.  Add a Rave Green shirt, a few fireworks and confetti to the sheer magic of 35,000 + fans.  It became everything I wished for.  That one hidden gift in the corner.

In November 2007 I paid $100.00 to become approximately the 670th supporter to reserve 2 seats to a team with no name.  No colors, no players, and not even a completed ownership group.  Drew Carey, while not the primary owner, brought a spark of personal touch rarely seen.  The “Scarf Seattle” campaign turned the concept of a brown box start-up franchise inside out.  Even when Beckham plays, no MLS attendance reaches 30,000.  With the second season completed, the Sounders are closer to an average attendance of 40,000 than most MLS teams are to 25,000.  The Sounders are closer to 40,000 than the LA Galaxy are to 30,000.  The Galaxy even have Landon Donovan and David Beckham.  Yet this Sounders team grows on something bigger than love.  It is connected from city to owner to player to supporter, and anyone who has waited on an unopened wish.  The team loves its fans back.

(Below section was written prior to the the Sounders 2nd US Open Cup Final appearance in as many years against the Columbus Crew.)

Tomorrow, the Sounders have a chance no team in American sports history has ever had.  The chance to open that surprise, wished for package in the corner.  The Yankees have not opened anything like it.  The Cowboys never even looked to see if such a wish was there.  The Steelers have long since had their heads down counting rings.  The Red Wings, all too often thawing octopus.  The Blackhawks still dazed and confused by the end of their Stanley Cup drought.  The Giants are more excited about a possible future Super Bowl in winter in New York, and Red Sox folk are all still writing and publishing stories about how bad things were before they got so great.  Even Jordan never found this plain brown package in the corner.  Tomorrow, Seattle Sounders FC, in year two make their fourth straight US Open Cup semi-final appearance against Chivas USA.  A win for Seattle not only gives them a chance to defend their 2009 title, but to do it playing in front of 36,000 Rave Green supporters at Quest Field.  An additional match not on the schedule at the start of the season.  This could be the cake match.  The wished for gift that only seems to appear as a child.  A childish franchise, the Sounders have an opportunity to play for Everything any team could ever hope for.  Wednesday, September 1st 2010, could be the day.  Why?  A second US Open Cup is a second ticket to international competition in Champions League 2011.  Reach the Knock-Out stages after Group play and the sky is the limit.  World supremacy could be achieved.

It is sport after all.  So from this plain brown box gift in the corner there could just as easily be a broken Christmas day child’s toy.  Or it could also be proof that as adults sometimes something bigger than love, or common understanding exists and springs true from the most unlikely places.  Tomorrow, I ask you to believe.  Even if it is for Chivas USA.  They are 5 years old, and they’ve never won anything.  Believe in this game tomorrow.  It is our country’s cup.  Our US Open Cup.  This is our history and be part of opening it up.  My 5 year-old nephew started Kindergarten today.  I want him to live his dreams.  Maybe I can set an example for him tomorrow in the most unexpected place.  The brown box sport in the corner marked in thick, dark marker, “Soccer”.

March to the Match with US Open Cup

2009 US Open Cup presented to supporters by owners in march to regular season match

This picture is from the Sounders 2009 US Open Cup.  Not an AP photo or from the Getty archive.  This is a photo from my Sounders photo album.  Our owners let us have it to march with in celebration of our 2009 Open Cup victory.  I think of it as Christmas Day 2009.  An average Rave Green match-day with a bunch of usual Sounder FC supporters, marching to an ordinary plain box regular season soccer match.

Love,
Sales on Sounders elf


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The Pacific Clash

20 05 2010

Who are the San Jose Earthquakes?  With the Sounders, currently San Jose is the only other former North American Soccer League (NASL) team.  The NASL folded in 1984.  After the US World Cup in 1994, soccer momentum cooked up enough steam to launch Major League Soccer in 1996 with 10 teams.  Nike swooshed everything in the fledgling league.  They pushed the name “Clash” onto San Jose.  Here is the result of that early MLS effort.  I think it’s fair to say this is one of Nike’s few failed efforts.

Clash - RIP 1995-1999

I have no idea what team or what sport would benefit from this logo.  I mean the claws are upside down.  The luck of the team slipped out of its grasp before San Jose ever took the pitch.  An artistic, fun example of a successful coastal soccer logo is FC Lorient.  FC Lorient plays in

 

FC Lorient - old badge

Classic, simple, soccer specific badge. Unusual, but easily recognizable to team and region.

Ligue 1.  The top-flight football league in France.  This sly but slick fish hugs the ball tight, like a right footed striker curling a shot into the waiting yawn of an onion bag (goal).  This plate of delicious goal, for a team badge, goes back to 1926.  It’s weird but works.  Nike doesn’t make everything better.  What San Jose has going for them, like Sounders FC is heritage.  Last year was the inaugural Heritage Cup between Seattle and San Jose.  As original NASL teams they square off for this regular season bragging right each year.  It is decided by aggregate goals of the teams regular season matches.  Portland and Vancouver will join the Heritage Cup next season.  Seattle held the edge over San Jose, until getting clawed 4-nil on the road.

San Jose, is a little slice of the best and worst you find in sports.  A flunked team name and badge from 1995-1999.  In October 1999 they reclaimed their NASL heritage, and were renamed Earthquakes.  The fortune in name change coincided with the arrival of coach Frank Yallop (current).  Along with Yallop, along came a young American, Landon Donovan.  They won MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003.  In 2005 they won the Supporters Shield for best overall league record.  The reward, they were dumped from San Jose and moved to Houston.  Like the Cleveland Browns, Houston could not keep any of the teams San Jose history.  This allowed for the re-expansion of the San Jose Earthquakes in 2008.  Unfortunately, all their talent stayed in Houston and went on to win back-to-back MLS cups in ’06-’07.  Now with all name changes, badge failures and moving vans parked, San Jose are determined to rise once again from their strange history of success and misfortune.


With “The Boys in Blue” a reassembled sum of their odd and traveled past, San Jose is ready to rise up again.

Current San Jose badge

Los Terremotos de San José

Round 10 vs San Jose EarthQuakes, keeps the Sounders hands full.  San Jose is currently sitting 4th place in the West at 13 points, 1 more than Seattle.  They are boasting an improved 4W-2L-1T record after 7 games.  San Jose has 2 games in hand on the Sounders, a possible 6 season points.  So Seattle can ill afford to lose.  A draw could be survivable, but a win is needed to keep playoff pace.

Bobby Convey had been knocking on the door of the US National team.  Many felt after the US failure to get out of the ’06 World Cup Group Stages in 2006 that Convey would be a starter for the 2010 US World Cup Team.  However he fell out of form after 5 years with Reading in the English Premier League.  Reading were relegated for the 2008 season to the lower English Championship League.  At 26 the Quakes became a good home for his revival.  I still say, he is a player to watch for the 2014 World Cup.

The Sounders should have speed and possession going for them, but San Jose is tough and will hit.  So, the boys in rave green will have to keep their heads on.  San Jose would love to make the Sounders see red and play a man down.  On offense, San Jose are something the Sounders want to be, a good finishing team.  Chris Wondolowski, as you would expect with a name like that, is well known for his eye pleasing wonder strikes.

Sounder ’til I die

If the Sounders grab some Red Bull inspiration and keep last weeks momentum going, an early goal looks likely.  San Jose lost both games here last year and were ill prepared for the Rave Green storm.  I am expecting an inspired 2-1, 3-1 victory.  San Jose is showing improved results in every category and playing inspired football.  They want back in the playoffs.  The Sounders can win this match, but they will have to prove it.  They will have to play more inspired, smarter football, finishing a first half chance on goal.  The defense will need to play another New York style lock down game.  One goal for San Jose is all they feel they need to do no worse than draw on the road at Quest.

It is time for the Sounders to shine at home!

Post Match

The sun shined, but the Sounders did not.  Seattle had more of the game but San Jose’s Wondolowski had the lone goal.  His 11th minute strike amazingly stood up for more than a draw, and became the game winner.  Wondolowski placed a quick hit one-timer past Keller.  The play came from a throw-in just above Seattle’s penalty area.  The ball was headed across the face of goal and Wondolowski smashed in from the far post.  Offside?  Put it this way, when you consider the offside calls Sounders FC have received this year, it would have been justly called and more than due in fairness to the Sounders.  That said, sports are not about fairness, and credit is due to San Jose for creating and capitalizing on a heads-up play.

The large picture reason this “offside” complaint must be left at the door is that if you want to be a playoff team, then an 11th minute goal against you can not be a game winner.  Right now, Seattle has no offensive threat.  Until that changes, the San Jose like results have become all too familiar this season.  With Colorado up next, this type of frustrating result may occur again.  Defeating Colorado on their home pitch at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park seems a daunting task.  One Sigi has addressed.  Unfortunately, words don’t speak louder than actions in sports.  At the end of the San Jose match, John Kennedy Hurtado was taken off the field for a torn ACL.  Likely the end of his season.  The Sounders are deep at Central Defense, but Hurtado is an All-Star.  Injuries sometimes seem the outward manifestation of a teams struggles.  Added to Nate Jaqua’s absence due to injury, so far this season team struggle over team successes has become the message.

There is time for this team to get turned around.  Overcoming difficult obstacles is what draws us to sports.  Year two is turning into test number one for Sounders FC who are fast becoming the underdog.  An underdog praying for a draw in Colorado.  Maybe taking on this new, more deceptive role will allow for the element of surprise.  Helping to turn regular frustration into unexpected intensity, and sneaky speed on the wings.  Maybe this will catch Colorado off guard.  Or maybe the injection of Jeff Parke, an experienced Central Defender, will give Seattle a much-needed energy boost.  Then again, maybe the Sounders will listen to Sigi, and put more than 3 of 18 shots on frame.  Creating chances is critical, but making a keeper work for saves is necessary to make those created chances become finished strikes.  Soccer is frustration, simplicity, sloppiness, heavenly beauty, complete chaos, and perfected skill all bundled together.  What the Sounders need is to put all their frustration and intensity into using any and all of those elements to force the ball into Colorado’s net.  That one goal could become the symbol of the effort needed to climb up to the distant height of the 2010 playoffs.


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