Major League Wobegon Days – MLS Struggles to succeed in US Open Cup

5 06 2012

And now, the news from Major League Wobegon.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup – Sounders FC 2009 – Present

All sixteen US-based Major League Soccer squads were included in this years US Open Cup. Their first action came in the third round. 2012 marks the 99th year for the US Open Cup. The last three consecutive cups have gone to Seattle Sounders FC who are pursuing an unprecedented fourth straight cup. With a dynasty already in tact, another would mark a legacy.

Common sense says 12 of the 16 MLS clubs move on. Vegas betting says no fewer than 10. No one picked only 8 moving on. If you did pick 8, quit your job and join SpaceX, The first commercial spacecraft missions to visit the international space station. So come on, you know you didn’t pick eight. No one did.

Their is only one American capable of picking so few big-league soccer clubs to move on. Eight Goliaths falling to eight Davids. A story of epic woebegone proportion. A true American storyteller, Garrison Keiller.

Lake Wobegon United fields only 10 starters. Because of some misinterpreted Lutheran athletic law of less is more. That, and no one, at least none of the men ever admitted Lake Wobegon’s Women’s soccer team were actually far superior. Ten championships out of eleven years. The men had still never scored twice in a single game. Always said they could win with one fewer player than the women. Down inside, they trembled with fear at the idea of playing the women. The swerving crosses, slicing kicks, never afraid of a little blood diving for a header. Ice fishing was more a mans rights of passage with his father anyway. Plus songs on the travel bus never went over well. Songs of course were a part of every young Lutheran’s church going experience on Sunday. But Lutheran soccer chants on the travel bus were pretty awful. “Burn, destroy, wreck, and kill”, never settled well with their stomachs. Or their ability to harmonize. ”Ole, ole, ole”, and “holy, holy, holy blurred together without recognition. None of the men wanted to travel anywhere to play soccer. The women just kept on winning. Either way, no one ever talked about soccer in Lake Wobegon, where all the women score goals, the men go fishing, and the children sew scarves.

When pairings were drawn for the third round of the US Open Cup, the Minnesota Stars got home field against 2009 MLS Cup Champions, Real Salt Lake. No travel. Holy, holy, holy! Finances are tough for everyone. Same for every second, third, and amateur level sports franchise. Real Salt Lake offered to buy the rights to host the match. Enough so Minnesota could fly to Salt Lake City. Seventeen thousand Real Salt Lake fans showed up. More for a pre-final match than in the 99 year history of the US Open Cup. Real Salt Lake had bought a sure win. Ole, ole, ole!

Kevin Venegas controlled an attempted clearance by Real Salt Lake Keeper, Kyle Reymish in only the third minute of the match. Venegas headed the ball barely under the crossbar and Minnesota was on the board. 17,000 hadn’t found their seats. Real Salt Lake suffered a Goliath collapse. Falling 3-1. Lake Wobegon United scored more than once. They finally won. But they weren’t even the least likely of the Davids to pluck the heart of Goliath.

Only half the Goliath MLS clubs played at a level you would expect. Barely making news. They simply delighted, like the New York Red Bulls in winning 3-nil over Charleston Battery.

2009 DC United, 2010 Columbus Crew, 2011 Chicago Fire, 2012 (?)

Other Goliath MLS winners included, Philadelphia Union ravaging the Rochester Rhinos 3-nil. Colorado Rapids toppling Tampa Bay 3-1. Kansas City took no pity on Orlando City 3-2. Chivas USA crumbled Ventura County 1-nil. San Jose Earthquakes shook Fort Lauderdale 2-1. And DC United gave the boot to the Richmond Kickers 2-1.

The other half of the MLS squads collapsed in historic fashion. There were fewer witnesses to the Goliath carnage as in Salt Lake, but the results were equally epic.

Harrisburg City and the New England Revolution took a nil-nil draw into overtime. Then split six goals. Level again at the end of overtime the clubs went to PK’s. The Revolution couldn’t hack the penalty kick pressure, losing 4-3.

Other Goliath MLS collapses included Michigan Bucks putting out the Chicago Fire 3-2. Dayton Dutch played something closer to their homeland Dutch style “total football” than the Columbus Crew, whom they ousted 2-1. San Antoinio knocked out rival, and 2012 MLS Cup runner-up Houston Dynamo 1-nil. Charlotte Eagles took the other MLS-heart out of Texas, knocking out FC Dallas 2-nil. Carolina RailHawks ousted 2012 MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy 2-1.

That is only 14 of the 16 third round matches. 7 up. 7 down. Leaving the two best for last.

Like Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC bought hosting rights for their draw with the Atlanta Silverbacks. Atlanta drew the right to host, and Seattle made an offer Atlanta accepted. Seattle hosted the third round match at Starfire Sports in Tukwila. Where they have hosted all but two home matches in their three-year run. The other two home matches have been the finals at Century Link Field.

Unlike Real Salt Lake, Sounders FC did what any MLS squad is expected to do to an early US Open Cup round opponent. Especially if you are the owner of three consecutive cups. Crushing Atlanta 5-1.

Down the I-5 corridor in Portland was a Goliath woebegone story beyond anything Garrison Keillor could imagine.

The Portland Timbers did everything possible a team could do to win. Except actually win. Their inability to win was so perplexing their loyal fans seemed unsure what to cheer, or who to cheer for. Not out of anger, or not caring, but confusion. There was simply no way they could comprehend how they lost. They will never see another match like it as long as they live. There will never be another match like it.

Cal FC is an amateur team. Managed and handpicked by former MLS star and US International player Eric Wynalda. Castaways from MLS, other professional leagues, and guys who think they just need the right opportunity to be seen. Wynalda believes all his players deserve a shot at a professional contract. “If these guys aren’t with professional teams in August, then I didn’t do my job”, said Wynalda.

The star players of the first three rounds of the US Open Cup have all come from Cal FC. Rounds one and two were Danny Barrera. The third round underdog hero, or “he who shall not be named” in Portland, is Artur Aghasyan.

The Timbers are an outstanding attacking team. They don’t lack soccer creativity. But their finishing has become mysteriously missing. Statistics in this case speak for themselves. Portland Timbers took 37 shots, with 15 on frame. None found net. Enough goal scoring creativity for four matches. Enough frustration to consider taking a flight out of orbit.

Portland’s most notable shot came on a penalty kick in the 80th minute. Designated Player, Kris Boyd stepped up. Bald strikers always seem to be the best at taking heady PK’s. Boyd got under the ball to avoid showing direction to the keeper. To give it lift over the keepers outstretched arms and under the crossbar. A technically sound match winner. If it stays under the crossbar. Instead the shot foreshadowed the 8th death of Goliath in the 3rd round of the US Open Cup. Boyd’s shot took angels wings and embarked on an orbit off NASA’s radar.

Both squads were level after 90 minutes. Then came the two 15-minute overtime periods. In the fifth minute of the first overtime Danny Barrera played a perfectly timed, perfectly placed through ball to the running feet of Artur Aghasyan, who suddenly turned into Fernando Torres of Spain in the 2008 European Championships, and eloquently timed a lofted ball over Timbers Goalkeeper, Troy Perkins as Perkins went for the block.

The first goal by an amateur United States Adult Soccer Association team against a top professional MLS team.

Now the Sounders move on to face Cal FC.  The US Open Cup Goliaths against unpaid David. It’s been over twenty-two years since he said it, but if the Sounders don’t que up the goal finishing, someone will likely que up Al Michaels classic, “do you believe in miracles”. A happy tale for the winner, and an ice-age of woebegone for the loser.

© 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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From Frisco With Depth – Sounders at FC Dallas

9 05 2012

Three up, three down.  What’s next?  Wednesday in Frisco, Texas with FC Dallas.

Sounders successfully march on to challenging May schedule – March to the Match vs Philadelphia Union 5/5/12 – Photo by © Paul Kahl

The last time Sounders traveled to FC Dallas Stadium, they were facing eight matches in August.  The most challenging portion of their 2011 schedule. How did they do?  Sounders went 7-W, 0-L, 1-D.  Including a rare Champions League win in Mexico.  Only the second MLS squad to succeed in Mexico.  The only other is FC Dallas, who did it one week before Sounders FC.

The Champions League win was followed by a 1-nil win over FC Dallas.  Zach Scott took on growing US Men’s National Team star, and FC Dallas playmaker Brek Shea.  Scott was impressive in shutting down the rising US star.

Currently In the middle of their first scheduling challenge of 2012 the Sounders are rising to the occasion.  They are turning into a club with a well oiled baseball like player and lineup rotation.  And a skipper with a nose for who needs to be on the pitch.  If you accurately predict the Sounders starting XI for Wednesday, buy a lottery ticket.

The Sounders baseball like player rotations and lineup changes have produced three wins in a stretch of five matches over 15 days.  Sounders Coach, Sigi Schmid continues to show his Lou Piniella like sharpness with his defensive rotation.  About his defenders, Sigi said, “I think we’ve got seven starters.  Any of those seven, we don’t miss a beat in the back”.

Seattle is undefeated in its last five matches.  Winning four in a row.  MLSSoccer.com took note of the Sounders recent success in their current power rankings. There is not much to glean from power rankings while you are in the midst of a tight regular season schedule.  That said, they make for fun talking points.  If you’re winning, then you’re climbing the ladder.  While the teams you defeat, like the LA Galaxy fall.  Which is kind of fun to watch.

Early success can be completely forgotten by the time the Sounders hit the showers after Real Salt Lake on Saturday.  The Sounders are 6-W, 1-L, 1-D and 19 points on the season.  (3 pts = Win, 1pt = Draw)  In the West, they are third behind San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake.  Both with 22 points.  Sounders have played two fewer matches than San Jose, and one fewer than Salt Lake.  If they enter the Century Link locker room on Saturday after facing a second loss in 4 days, momentum and power ranking talking-points will reverse against them.  That is the downside of any short-term success in a compact schedule.

It’s not one position, or one tactical grouping of players going through rotations. It’s the entire squad.  Sounders starting Keeper, Michael Gspurning left after the first half of the LA Galaxy match last Wednesday.  Brian Meredith stepped in to finish the shutout win.  Meredith got the start last Saturday against the Philadelphia Union. Earning his first win and complete game shutout.

Some rotation decisions are tactical, and some like Meredith coming in for Gspurning are for injury.  Meredith is likely to finish the May schedule for Gspurning.

As the Sounders continue to roll through their tight May baseball schedule, they continue to roll through their rotation.  The brightest star for the club is perhaps the depth of their bench.  If the entire club continues to buy into shared minutes throughout the full season, there could be a healthy reward at the finish.

Pre-match Warm up vs Philadelphia Union 5/5/12 - Photo by © Paul Kahl

Please welcome Paul Kahl to Sales on Sounders for his photography contributions.

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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Into Rave Green Air – Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders

2 11 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders, by Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales

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

2 11 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* * * * * * * * * *

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

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

* * * * * * * * * *

Seattle’s growing list of accomplishments after three seasons:

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

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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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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Baseball Payback – DC United at Sounders FC

17 09 2011

DC United - Black and Red - MLS Champions '96, '97, '99, '04

Payback!

This is a payback match for Sounders FC.

Important playoff positioning is at stake, but players don’t always have that on their minds against teams they owe some payback to.

On May 4th, Sounders sojourned to the nation’s capitol and came away rejected as a proposal for finance reform.  Losing 2-1 to DC United.  A disappointing effort.  A match where no less than a draw seemed certain.  With playoff fever circling their heads, this becomes Sounders FC payback day.

Think baseball.

A playoff contender approaches their schedule broken up into “season series”, rather than each game.  The more series you win, the more likely your chances of playing playoff ball in October.  At worst, teams hope to split season series and stay at or above .500.  At .500 in baseball you always feel like a season has been a successful effort, and your prospects for playoff contention next season seem only a trade or two away.

Same for Major League Soccer.  We just don’t say it enough.

One man does.  Sigi Shmid.

There are 6 points for a season series.  Three for a win at home, and three for a win on the road.  Come away with two points, and it means you drew both matches.  In soccer with 1-point for a draw and 3-points for a win, drawing both matches is actually below .500.  You are better to win one and lose one than draw both.  (3-points for splitting a season series.  2-points for drawing both matches)

DC United took the first match picking up three points at home.  Win or draw, they win the season series.  Sounders win, and they go .500 for the season series.  More importantly, it tightens their grip on a playoff spot.

The Sounders have fared well in most of their season series during their 2011 Major League Soccer schedule.  They have only lost two season series, while splitting three others.  LA Galaxy and Houston are the only two clubs to take season series from Seattle.  Red Bulls, FC Dallas, and Real Salt Lake all won once, but Seattle took one back from each, splitting those series.

A glance at teams the Sounders have lost to once in 2011.
To date no team has taken both matches from Sounders FC.

LA Galaxy:  Lose, Draw
Houston Dynamo:  Lose, Draw
New York Red Bulls:  Split
FC Dallas:  Split
Real Salt Lake:  Split
DC United:  Lost in DC, ? (To Be Determined)

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

The Sounders played to an exhilarating mid-week CONCACAF Champions League win over Herediano.  Exhaustion could play against them.  On DC’s side they lost star Chris Pontius to an unfortunate season ending injury. Suffering a broken leg in their match last weekend.  Something Sounders FC are all too familiar and empathetic for. His injury will challenge DC United. Nonetheless, they arrive to Seattle with confidence and momentum.  Dwayne De Rosario, since being traded from New York has been a great spark and their playoff chances have increased with him.

Chris Pontius scored the first Major League Soccer hat-trick in Seattle during their 3-2 win last year.  Since Seattle’s 2009 inaugural season, DC United have been one of Seattle’s toughest home opponents.  They drew Seattle 3-3 in 2009, and on the strength of Pontius’s hat-trick last year, won 3-2.  Chris Pontius has scored 4 goals in Seattle.

Payback and playoffs.

Sounders FC will put exhaustion aside for a chance at payback.  DC United will put a tough injury behind then, knowing this is a match to keep them in the playoffs.  Whose mustard is hotter?

Today’s match in Seattle is what every sports fan wants. Both teams have purpose.  Both teams have likable character.  Both teams have their eyes on post season play.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Salty, Peanutty, Chocolatey – Sounders CONCACAF Dessert vs Herediano

14 09 2011
CONCACAF Champions League

Club Sport Herediano, PrimeraDivisión, Costa Rica

Being a sports fan has its moments of dessert like bliss.  Chocolatey chunks, crunchy bits of salty, peanutty delight, swirled in a sweet cream of lush vanilla bliss. Yes, that good. That is the Sounders in the thick of their third season.

US Open Cup trophies in the Sounders first two seasons have turned domestic success into international delight.  Both cup titles opened the door for Champions League Group Stage matches in the Sounders second and now third seasons. Last year the Sounders left something to be desired.  Finishing with 1-win and 5-losses in Champions League Group Stage.

Two highlights stick out from the Sounders’ 2010 Champions League campaign.  Mike Fucito’s two goal performance, and breathtaking free kick against CD Marathon was arguably the sweetest highlight.  While barely a pat-on-the-back for a near-win in Mexico to eventual CONCACAF Champion, Monterrey was the only other

August 16th – August 23rd.  A week Sounders will want to highlight in their history books.  Comunicaciones, from Guatemala visited Seattle on August 16th and were ushered back home with a 4-1 trouncing.  Seattle headed South, stopping square in the heat of Texas.  A state they had yet to find their step.  Saturday, August 20th, they knocked Dallas out of second place with a slim but well-earned 1-nil win. Sounders finally got their groove in Texas.  Then turned and headed further South to Monterrey, Mexico.  A country US clubs had no previous success.  FC Dallas finally became the first MLS team to celebrate on Mexican soil defeating Pumas, just one week earlier.  No sooner had word traveled to the Sounders camp, and they too tasted success by defeating their 2010 CONCACAF Group Stage foe, and Champions League winner, Monterrey, on August 23rd.

It’s remarkable that the Sounders have achieved this level of competition before completing their third year of Major League Soccer.  Champions League, mixed with Major League Soccer regular season, and US Open Cup matches make for crowded scheduling.  With two wins the Sounders have already doubled their 2010 Champions League win total.

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

The Sounders go into Wednesday’s match at the top of their group.  Four matches to go, and everything to play for in terms of international significance.  The top two teams in each group advance to the Quarterfinals.

Last weekend’s wakeup call loss to Real Salt Lake reminds sports-fans how quickly teams rise and fall from the top. The Everest like ascent the Sounders pulled off in August, undefeated with seven wins and one draw, was quickly tempered with a 2-1 home loss to the men from Salt Lake City.

The short turn around in preparation time for Wednesday’s match in Costa Rica, against Club Sport Herediano, usually makes bruises feel more swollen.  But short-term memory loss in sports sometimes offers sweet reprise from dwelling on frustration.  A draw with Herdiano, or pleasant win would quickly boost the Sounders momentum.  Both for payback with next Saturday’s MLS foe, DC United, and to give a strong finish in regular season standings heading into November’s playoffs.

The Sounders suffered a dismal road loss to DC United, 2-1 in May.  Payback would even the season series and place the Sounders in the driver’s seat for second place in Major League Soccer heading towards season ending playoff positioning.  A home win over DC United could also clinch a playoff spot for the Sounders third consecutive year.

Club Sport Herediano, PrimeraDivisión, Costa Rica face Sounders FC at 7:00 PST on Fox Soccer Channel.

 

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales

 


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Threshold of a Dynasty – US Open Cup Semi Final – FC Dallas vs Sounders FC

30 08 2011

US Open Cup - Sounders FC 2009, 2010 Champions

The Sounders have not completed three seasons as a modern-era, Major League Soccer version of their thirty-seven year old franchise, yet they stand on the doorway of a dynasty. Defeating FC Dallas on Tuesday, places them one step closer to making that dream become reality.

A perfect way for the US Open Cup to attract more attention is for a team to turn a successful legacy into a historic dynasty. Tuesday at Starfire Sports Complex, in Tukwila, Washington, Sounders FC host FC Dallas for their fifth consecutive US Open Cup Semi-Final. A win puts them into the US Open Cup Final for the third consecutive year. Winning the final would firmly secure their place in US Soccer history.

Ninety-six years of history. The US Open Cup is barely a blip on the US Sports map. The Sounders are helping to change that. The US Open Cup winner earns a valuable shot at Champions League. Both FC Dallas and Seattle became the first US teams to defeat Mexican clubs on their home soil.  FC Dallas defeated Pumas 1-nil on August 17th. While Sounders FC traveled to Monterrey, winning by the same 1-nil score on August 23rd.  The two prestigious victories combined with Real Salt Lake reaching the CONCACAF Champions League Final last year, means Champions League stock is rising for MLS clubs. The US Open Cup should also rise in value as winning it earns no less than a play-in opportunity for Champions League.  The Sounders have made that a successful route to accomplishing their clubs highly valued goal of winning the CONCACAF Champions League.  They have made Champions League two consecutive years via the US Open Cup Champion play-in designation.

This will be the third time FC Dallas and Sounders FC meet this year.  Seattle lost on May 25th.  A tough 1-nil loss at home.  Dallas scored first and held off Seattle’s relentless pressure the rest of the way.  Sounders FC turned the table on FC Dallas, winning 1-nil in Texas on August 20th.  Both home teams deserved a result, but both stole a road victory surviving the others relentless attack.  The recent win by Sounders FC, in Frisco, Texas vaulted them into second place in the Western Conference behind the LA Galaxy.

Chicago Fire have won the US Open Cup four times, with Seattle winning the past two.  A win this year and Sounders FC becomes the first MLS team to win three consecutive, as well as first to accomplish the feat modern-era professional club since the New York Greek-American from 1967-69.  The US Open Cup is filled with a rich tradition and diverse mix of teams.  It is some of the most culturally rich and exciting sporting history in the US.  Only not as sexy as its pass and run football relative, or basketball.  A win for the Sounders over FC Dallas may be a win for the US Open Cup.  Both teams deserve a shot at the final.  But one could turn a dynasty into a selfless act of sporting good-will for a tournament long overdue for a high-profile sporting champion. 

*Please visit and support thecup.us 

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Face the Fire – Seattle Sounders FC play Goliath, to Chicago Fire’s David

4 06 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Face the Fire.  Sounders FC travel to Chicago Saturday to face the Chicago Fire. Realistically the Sounders should feel a swell of momentum in their favor from the remarkable win against Real Salt Lake at their fortress, and home pitch, Rio Tinto Stadium.  On the road last week in Salt Lake City, another heavy downpour match, Sounders FC ended Real Salt Lake‘s 29 match unbeaten streak at Rio Tinto Stadium.  A 2-1 win from unexpected heroes Patrick Ianni and Lamar Neagle.  Goals from unexpected heros means momentum is building for Seattle.  Right?

Adding confidence to the Sounders momentum is a Chicago Fire season record smoldering at 1-win, 4-losses, 6-draws.  Chicago Fire coach, Carlos de los Cobos was dismissed last Monday for the poor season results, with Technical Director, Frank Klopas taking over for an interim basis.

Two trains running.  One headed East, and the other standing still.  Sounders look poised for victory.

If we have learned anything by now, it is that the existence of confidence in this particular sport has less an impact on the final result than any other.  The only way to prepare for a match like this.  Tear up the records, discard momentum, forget last weeks heroics, and be afraid.  Be very, very afraid.

Prove and excite.  It is possible every player for Chicago, instead of feeling down, is seeing opportunity.  A clean slate.  Prove to your new coach, your team, your fans, even yourself what it was that brought you to become a professional soccer player. Create, assist, defend tough, score, and win.  Excite your home fans and reignite a fading season.

Chicago Fire

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

So much for confidence and momentum. Soccer is a bizzaro-world team sport.  A week after defeating Manchester United to win the UEFA Champions league, and cement themselves as one of the greatest clubs in the history of soccer, Barcelona would appear to be a more favored opponent for Seattle this week than the Chicago Fire.  Chicago will fight with a harsh bite for every ball.  The first 15-20 minutes for Seattle may need a boxing like rope-a-dope strategy.  Take punches.  If Sounders FC are still standing by halftime, then chances will come.  Otherwise, it could be a long ride home Chicago.

It’s hard not to root for the underdogs.  With Chicago down, yet built with likable talent, it is hard not to hope they do well.  Most of the non-bias fans will take their side.  Sound familiar?  This was not unlike the Sounders position going into their match with Real Salt Lake last week.  The unlikely David going into Goliath’s mansion.  Good luck getting out alive.  The Sounders are from being a Rave Green Goliath, but that is precisely how they will be perceived facing the Fire.  We already know how that story ends.  In fact, the Sounders saw it played out to their satisfaction last week.  David and Goliath, part II:  Meet Karma.  Sounders face the Fire.

© 2011 by Ryan Sales – Sales on Sounders


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