No More Mulling over Mullan – Rapids at Sounders

13 04 2012

Friday, April 22nd, 2011 is a date forever stitched into Sounders players, owners, and fans memories.

The Sounders won that night.  Only their second win of the 2011 season vs Colorado Rapids, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.  The 1-nil, clean-sheet road victory against the 2010 defending MLS Cup Champions was not the memory it should have been.

A third minute slide tackle from Brian Mullan broke Steve Zakuani’s leg.  It was that awful image and sound that stuck in everyone’s memory.  Win aside, every Sounders heart-felt numb, and every gut sickeningly hallowed.

Saturday, at CenturyLink Field, Brian Mullan makes his first visit to Seattle since that tackle. There is precedent for how Seattle sports fans respond to moments like Mullan’s return.  (see Alex Rodriquez)  Seattle fans are never quiet.  And we won’t be for Mullan.  To expect less, whether in agreement or not would be ignorance.  What noise doesn’t replace is that there isn’t one Sounders fan who doesn’t want meaningful closure.  A quality match about soccer is much preferred to one about jeering.

Sounders fans are smart.  There will be Mullan directed noise tantamount to brining down Jericho’s walls.  There will also be the ECS to lead an innovative way to direct the message without it being the match-day storyline.

What started as a routine defensive recovery went horribly wrong.

Possibly feeling he had been wrongfully nudged off the ball by Zakuani, Brian Mullan quickly took after Zakuani who was moving the ball forward along his usual left-wing alley to clear the Sounders defensive end.  Mullan slid to ground to clear the ball from Zakuani’s feet.

Red Card to Brian Mullan, for April 22nd, 2011 tackle and injury to Steve Zakuani

Sound familiar?  It should. Whenever he’s knocked off the ball, Osvaldo Alonso, similar to Mullan on a per match basis, quickly recovers to rush back, impedes the attacking players progress, makes firm contact, even going to turf in a slide to win the ball back.  His efforts, like Mullan’s help win games. Alonso often gets away with a few hard tackles that could be fouls, or yellow, even a few that should be red.

Osvaldo Alonso’s technique is stellar. He was listed by Major League Soccer as part of the best Starting XI performers from last week vs DC United.  But no matter your reputation or skill, when you are a tenacious player, a potential risk exists in every match to be your last.  And no matter your ball winning skills, you could end another players career.

Brian Mullan, like Alonso has a hard work attitude.  Rash, high risk tackles are not a characteristic describing him as a player.  What is said about the 12 year veteran, is how his efforts have been valuable in supporting five different MLS clubs in their runs to championships.

Mullan’s actions were deliberate, but no less a part of his approach to every match.  After last years match, he said, “It was a tackle I’ve done a hundred times, and I’d probably do it again”.  He was unaware of the full extent of Zakuani’s injury when he made that remark.

Zakuani suffered a fracture to his tibia and fibula.  He had to undergo multiple surgeries for his leg that did not initially set properly.  Additional signs of nerve damage put his career in question.

Nearly a year later, Zakuani has remarkably heeled enough to have seen playing time in recent Sounders reserve matches.  His earliest return to the first-team squad would be next month.  I’d be surprised if it’s before June.  Sigi Schmid has said he doesn’t expect a fully recovered Zakuani until 2013.

Upon further review. Mullan was given a MLS record 10 match suspension and fine.

Major League Soccer has built a reputation as a league tolerating more tough tackles than most other top international football leagues. To stop the bleeding, MLS began making post-match reviews for hard challenges.  Shalrie Joseph of New England committed a foul last weekend.  After a review of his challenge by MLS officials, he was retroactively suspended for this weekend’s match.

Overturning a referees decision is not a good business for any sport.  A far worse sports business are injuries like what Zakuani suffered.  FIFA has recently supported England’s Premier League governing body the FA, to make similar post match reviews. MLS appears to be taking a proactive lead in helping players to learn to cut down on risky challenges.

It’s always exciting to see Alonso turn around, track a player down and win the ball back. But in the future, maybe disrupting possession is safer and smarter, even more sporting than the risk in winning possession.  No fouls and no injuries for that.  Timing a successful tackle appears to be a skill that needs further review.

Zakuani and Mullan have talked.  Both seem to have taken the high road of sportsmanship.  After Mullan’s 10 game suspension, and before his first match back vs Columbus he received a text message, “There are no hard feelings. Don’t let this tackle affect the way you play the game. Good luck!” 

Yet, an unsatisfactory feeling lingers.  Mullan has not apologized publicly.  It appears he wont speak about last years incident until after this years match.  Part of me understands emotional and psychological reasons for Mullan not addressing the issue in a more public forum.  Yet, I can’t help think about the horrific sight and sound of the tackle.  It would be welcome by anyone who witnessed that incident to gain some closure by the warm address of a 12 year MLS veteran.

Here is the Sports Illustrated article by Grant Wahl.  Including interviews with Steve Zakuani and Brian Mullan:
Grant Wahl > Planet Futbol
Zakuani on the road to recovery 

© 2012 Sales on Sounders by Ryan J Sales


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

7 04 2012

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

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

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

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

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

Lesson learned.

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

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

De Ro in DC.

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

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

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

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

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

Oh, what injuries do.

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

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

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

Follow my posts on Seattle PI.com 

© 2012 Sales on Sounder by Ryan Sales


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Into Rave Green Air – Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders

2 11 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

Sales on Sounders, by Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales

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

7 10 2011

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

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Philadelphia Union - 2009 Expansion

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

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

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

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

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

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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Shalrie and the Giant Road Trip – Sounders FC at New England Revolution

1 10 2011

Steve Nicol Juggling Water Bottle - after losing 3-nil in Seattle 2010

Trips to New England for Sounders FC have always started with excited hopes of bountiful returns. Yet both trips ended yielding no gains. In fact, Sounders suffered disappointing losses in both.

The inaugural season jaunt started with a stunning Montero 6th minute strike from long-range. Shalrie Joseph, their tall attacking midfielder, eventually beat down the Sounders and knocked in two second half goals.

Shalrie Joseph is at the center of everything good, bad, and ugly that New England Revolution bring against the Sounders. Sliding a cheeky ball past Keller while falling, slapping Patrick Ianni on the neck out of the sight of referees, or rifling in perfectly timed headers. He is their catalyst. If he is in form, Sounders will struggle. If he is quiet, as in his visit to Seattle in June, they will likely be the one’s suffering a loss.

In the Sounders 2010 trip, they again took a 1-nil lead on the strength of a Steve Zakuani goal. Then proceeded to meltdown from the 70th minute on. Instead of finishing strong, or even holding on for a draw, they conceded three late goals.  A result they would rather reverse than repeat.

Sounders silenced Shalrie in their first meeting in June. He was ineffective. The Sounders then went on to do to the Revolution what they have done to Sounders in the first two seasons. Give up the first goal, then come back and win. Tyson Wahl leveled with a perfectly placed free-kick and Fernandez gave the Sounders the finishing lead in the 40th minute.

Lets’s take a road trip.

Every match has one good storyline. A long road trip is the one for Sounders FC in this match.  Starting last Saturday, the Sounders began a near 10,000 mile road trip with a bus to Vancouver, then flew to Guatemala, caught a plane to play in New England, and finally fly back across the country to Seattle for a Tuesday Championship match in the US Open Cup Final against Chicago.  It is a self-imposed journey, but enormous undertaking nonetheless.  For starters, I love Vancouver, and I would love to visit Guatemala City.  But next time I take a one week vacation you can be sure it wont be doing both in one week.

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

The Sounders have prioritized Champions League and US Open Cup competitions from the clubs inception. Succeeding in these competitions has made the team one of the most successful soccer clubs in North America in short order.  But it has a price that players pay in travel. It also clarifies why head Soccer Coaches are referred to as Managers and not Coaches.  Sigi Schmid has so far successfully managed this road trip, but the final evaluation wont be in until after New England and the US Open Cup final. Managing players and playing time alone is difficult enough, but who he can and can not beat at a game of cards must also be weighed.

Speaking of story-lines, if the cliché, “third time is a charm” is true, then miles and miles aside, this will be the Sounders third attempt in New England.  No doubt the lineup will look like a colonial patchwork quilt, but maybe that is exactly what it takes to survive the Revolution in New England.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders by Ryan Sales


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“Pumped Up Kicks” – Colorado Rapids at Sounders FC

16 07 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

Watching Steve Zakuani collapse from a reckless tackle by Colorado Rapids, Brian Mullan, was difficult to watch but galvanizing for the team. Seeing Zakuani suffer a broken leg you couldn’t help feel, as these things happen in sports, Seattle’s 2011 season was lost. On April 22nd, only seven matches into the season, that was how many Sounders fans felt.

In Seattle’s last eight matches they are undefeated. A team record. As Colorado comes to Seattle for a rematch, the Sounders have turned into a team competing for a 2011 Supporters Shield. A win today over Colorado Rapids and the Sounders will only trail LA Galaxy by one point. The Supporters Shield is awarded to the team earning the highest point total at the season conclusion.

Zakuani’s broken leg was suffered in the Sounders seventh match. Seattle held on to win that match. Only the 2nd win at that time. Seattle’s record was 2-wins, 2-losses, 3-draws. Thoughts of a failed season were creeping into people’s minds. Yet over their last fourteen matches, Seattle has only dropped two matches while winning seven.

Coming into this season, Seattle was praised for its depth. Who knew that depth would be tested so early. Along with Zakuani, O’Brian White, Brad Evans, and Mauro Rosales, all key starters soon saw injury time over playing time. Usually a recipe for frustration, losses, and even excuses.  Instead a committee of Sounders have seen playing time. Thirteen different players have contributed goals. Rather than fold the Sounders have won with a dogged approach to team chemistry and determination. Winning with a man down, multiple comebacks, and a creative mix of players have them sporting a “never given up” attitude.

Colorado Rapids - 2010 MLS Champions

Colorado has dealt with many of the same issues as Seattle. They have had less success, but like Seattle, they continue to show true grit. They are the defending Major League Soccer champions. And for the first time since the game Zakuani went down, they have a healthy lineup starting to look and play like defending champions.

For his reckless tackle on Steve Zakuani, Brian Mullan was given a ten game suspension and fine. Completed, he is available for Saturday’s match. Whether Seattle’s sellout crowd is ready for Mullan may be the question. Mullan has indicated he is ready and wants to play. Rapids Head Coach, Gary Smith decided to leave Mullan off the traveling roster. Although Mullan’s quality play and contributions are hard to overlook, it appears Smith has chosen to focus on soccer, rather than have Seattle place a focus of roaring disapproval on Mullan.

Fans will digest as many pints as making points over rounds of opinions about Mullan’s tackle, and Smith’s choice to leave him behind.  By Gary Smith leaving Mullan in Colorado, the Rapids come ready to play with less distraction. Ready to play as defending champions.  Seattle’s already tried and true winning form will receive its biggest test today. Defeating the defending champions could open even more tabs over who the new champion could be.

Thanks to Arlo White for your inspired work.

© 2011 Sales on Sounders, by Ryan Sales


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Hooligan, A Soccer Pathogen – Tifo, A Supporter Cure – Sounders at Timbers

9 07 2011
Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

For derby matches, the most soccer intensive type of regional rivalry, you simply throw records away come match-day.  Since the Seattle and Portland inaugural MLS Clash on May 14th, it has been one team on the rise while the other on the down low. Since their first meeting, Sounders are 5W – 1L – 3D,  and a US Open Cup win over Kitsap Pumas.  A first step in pursuit of a third consecutive US Open Cup title.  In the same period, the Timbers have caught a case of inaugural season expansion blues, going 1W- 5L – 1D.  When it comes time for tomorrows historic I-5 soccer rivals, no records or extra motivation are needed for the first ever MLS edition of the I-5 derby in Portland.

Good news for Timbers fans can be gleaned from Sounders two previous season headlines.  It’s a simple equation.  No secret code gimmicks with disappointing messages like “o-v-a-l-t-i-n-e”.  Midseason sluggishness, plus league parity equals one game turn around time.  One win and the Timbers season course is righted.  What happens with one Timbers win at home in their inaugural season against Sounders FC? Well, does someone have a one-match mid-season trophy?  Because Portland fans will celebrate like one had been won.

The Sounders are playing their best mid-season form since joining Major League Soccer.  Surprising with so many injuries.  Especially those to Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White.  How they have shaped their surprise form has come from Sigi Schmid‘s use of his clubs depth and width.  Their talented deep lineup has proven itself. Virtually every match seeing different lineups has allowed that depth in talent to see quality playing time.  The reward has been realized by spreading the wealth of goals. Thirteen different players have contributed goals for Sounders FC.  So much for the need for a DP.  With Seattle, it has been DP by committee.  (DP = Designated Player)

Hooligan is to soccer as “He who shall not be named” is to, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Prior to this season of the rivalry, many people including Sounders and Timbers owners, as well as MLS executives felt this rivalry could boil over into some sort of Lord Voldemort vs Harry Potter warfare.  Causing all sorts of mayhem. The May 14th match proved there is warfare but not the type league officials and club owners had counted on.

Decades of Dominance tifo - May 14th Inaugural MLS Derby - Sounders v Timbers

The weapon?  Tifo.  The name for colorful flags and banners you see waving at soccer matches around the world. 25,000 square feet of material rained down on Qwest Field and the historic supporter battle lines were drawn.  Who can show the greatest most epic display of supporter pride is now the war.  Seattle won the first battle.  The call to arms sounded loudly as the message “Decades of Dominance” was spilled out in green, blue and white lettered tifo that fell over the Seattle crowd.  Now the Timbers will surely be set to respond.

Peace in the stands, peace between fans.  Lost in all the thousands of yards of colorful material and flag waving, is the respectful realization that both clubs supporters have nearly eliminated the nasty “hooligan” soccer tag.  A successful match tomorrow without supporter issue will likely wipe the term permanently away from this derby.

There is bitterness between the two clubs supporters.  But the outlets for release are many.  Beer, chanting, singing, dancing, flag-waving, 90 minutes of active standing, scarf raising, and unless it’s 20 degrees or cooler, just plain ample sweat-it-out opportunity.  It is healthy release.  It is derby time.  Viral and not contained.  In fact derby-frenzy is equal to free roaming pathogens.  Infectious.  Very infectious.  So infectious, there is no quarantine.  The disease is pride.  Pride that on any given match, tifo and noise will be palpable enough to drive the home side to find that little extra to notch a special win.  Or when silenced, the traveling road warriors will have colorful displays of that epic tale of victory on the road.

Tifo cures Hooligan.  Timbers Army and Emerald City Supporters are the flag waving scientists holding up the proof.

The derby is an intense mix of regional Cascadia rivals.  It has the potential for hooligan pathogens to be released.  More importantly, this is a region of civic pride over soccer pride.  Emerald City and Rose City come before Sounders and Timbers. The intensity is turning into unique displays of passion expressed the way people in Cascadia have always wanted the game to be known here.  The Beautiful Game Northwest.  This derby is well on its way to becoming one of the biggest in the world of club soccer.  A sign of what is needed with other MLS club rivals.  A positive example for the world of soccer.

 

Thanks to Antonio, Lisa, & Elizabeth for inspiration and friendship.  ”Pathogen A and Pathogen B”.

© Sales on Sounders 2011 by Ryan Sales


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Sigi’s Sounders go to Washington

4 05 2011

April 30, 2011 #11 Tribute to Steve Zakuani

The Sounders paid an emotional and heart-felt tribute to Steve Zakuani in last Saturday’s match with Toronto FC.  The 11th minute tribute for Zakuani’s broken leg received in their previous match by Colorado Rapids, Brian Mullan, was a salute to Zakuani’s #11 kit number (jersey number).  The Sounders valuable #11 left winger was missing from the Sounders *starting XI (starting lineup).  Zakuani is beginning the long and hopeful road to recovery.  The tribute was topped off in the most perfect manner possible.  A 3-nil victory. Offensive and exciting for fans with a clean sheet (no goals allowed) for Sounders Keeper, Kasey Keller.

For the Sounders offensive and team spirit the victory meant everything.  It combined an emotional show for their fallen teammate and for 36,000 of the most exciting fans in US Soccer.  The first goal came from eventual “man of the match”, Brad Evans.  A cross that bulls-eyed ”Flaco’s” (Alvaro Fernandez) forehead and found the back of net.  Adding to his assist in the first half, Brad Evans scored a brace (two goals) in the second half.  Monro slotted a perfectly weighted ball inside and to the right of Toronto’s goal.  Evans perfectly timed his run up on the ball for a one time strike curling past keeper and into the left corner of Toronto’s goal.  His second, a penalty kick.

For most soccer clubs in the world there is nothing that needs to follow that last sentence.  Not in Seattle.  Never normal and always a story.  Penalty kicks are often considered “given” goals.  Not at Qwest field.  Until Saturday, no Sounder had ever scored a home pitch penalty kick.  In tribute to Zakuani and everything that is remotely normal in the world of soccer, Evans scored the Sounders first ever home pitch penalty kick.  It was also Evans first professional brace (two goals).

With the #11 Zakuani tribute successfully put behind them, Sounders quickly turn to a midweek match vs DC United in our Nation’s Capital.     The brief, and successful one match home stay is sandwiched between four road games.  With Philadelphia’s draw and Colorado’s victory behind them, the next two challenges come up quickly.  First is midweek opponent DC United, then another short turnaround to face Columbus on Saturday.  Little rest and a growing injury report makes both matches part of a daunting road trip.  Already including Steve Zakuani, Seattle’s injury report boasts forwards O’Brian White and Mauro Rosales.  Nothing comes easy for Sounders.

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

Seattle has never lost in our Nation’s Capital.  It has become the most successful road stop for Sounders FC since joining MLS in 2009.  The Sounders faced DC United at RFK Stadium in the 2009 US Open Cup final winning its first trophy 2-1.  A week later, they surprised everyone by coming back for a regular season match and winning again.  Last year, Roger Levesque scored a late match winner on a short cross from Montero.  The win was part of the Sounders late in form run which launched them into the 2010 MLS playoffs.

In preseason, bench depth was the best weapon talked about when evaluating the Sounders 2011 roster.  It will be tested in the next two matches.  If Seattle wins one of the next two without taking on more injuries, they will be in good shape for the showdown with Cascadia Rival, Portland.

Heading to Washington DC, it is hard not to think on failing budget compromise, a struggling economy, and recent counter terrorism issues in Pakistan.  To paraphrase Sounders coach, Sigi Schmid, *I subscribe to the belief you only have so much energy to give.  With so much focused attention on the death of Osama Bin Laden, I propose a midweek break.  At 7:30 on the East coast and 4:30 on the West coast the Sounders FC face DC United.  It is important to spend two-thirds more energy on your passions and what you love.  Even laughter.  Osama Bin Lden and terrorism, not to dismiss the value and weight of recent events, are neither what I would consider topics of love, passion, or even laughter.  Consider turning to soccer for one night as the beautiful alternative.

Soccer is a simple game.  *If you put a ball at the feet of a 3-year-old child, perhaps even younger, that child will instinctively kick.  It’s simple, because it is from instinct.  Hours of repetition and the ball becomes an instinctive extension of body, mind, and soul.  * “While I cannot claim to be more than a passenger”.  Soccer is the beautiful, instinctual competitive spirit of the human kind and a recipe for peace.  Let’s enjoy the best of who we are rather than focus on the evils that have been defeated.

Never stare into the eyes of Medusa.  This weeks battle-classico features a growing cross continental rivalry.  If you haven’t turned on a Major League Soccer match recently.  It is time.  An intense but respectful rivalry is growing between DC and Seattle.  Turn your attention to Washington for the beautiful game.  It’s instinct really.  Focus more on what happens in soccer and terrorism will inevitably fade to black.

Seattle Sketcher, Gabi Campanario

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

 A few notes and references

* Starting XI = Starting lineup.
* During Seattle’s inaugural season the team went through a long stretch of fouls.  Players were irritated with officials, but were also not helping themselves by adding complaints.  Sigi Schmid made the point, that he subscribes to the belief players only have so much energy to give each match.  Using it on officials is not the best use of that energy.  Since that time the Sounders have gone from the team receiving the highest number of fouls to middle of the league.
*Cliff McCrath, five time NCAA Division II Champions with Seattle Pacific University.  Also ran a summer boys and girls youth soccer camp on Whidbey Island.  I attended three years as a child.  His (almost) weekly soundersfc.com show “Nub’s Nuggets” is where he covers one relevant soccer point to think on each week.  During April, 2011 he covered the simplicity of teach kids to play.  By setting a ball in from of them they will instinctively kick.  Make fun games out of repetitive passing and ball control.  Then, sit back, and answer questions when they ask.  This is a grain of wisdom in why the game is so beautiful.
* “ While I cannot claim to be more than a passenger”.  The Shins, Girl Sailor – Wincing the Night Away

* * * * *

© 2011 by Ryan J Sales


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You Never Watch Alone, Part II: Why Zakuani Fell

30 04 2011
Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC - 2009 & 2010 US Open Cup Champions

In match #6, 2010 at BMO Field, Sounders FC went on the road to face-off with Toronto FC, I made a horrible, inexcusable supporter mistake.  Seemingly safe from such mistakes, I was at home in Highland Park, a quiet West Seattle neighborhood, in the comfort of my own home.  When I broke one of the basic laws of soccer viewership while supporting your clubs away matches.  I watched alone.  No excuses, I messed up. Sounders lost 2-nil.  Not even, “we had more of the game” from Sigi Schmid, helped the sour result.  Some people still say that loss was my fault.  Freddie Ljungberg left Seattle without saying “good-bye, Ryan”. In soccer, you never watch alone.

Since that match I have reached out to acquire many quality skills in properly watching soccer alone.  Required viewing;  “The Social Network“.  Check. Acquire an IT specialist. Check.  He is someone who knows the statistical vocabulary, and freakonomic calculations behind web design.  My IT Specialist is, Thomas Breuler, whose growing certifications through, Western Governors University cause me only one minor problem.  He owns a restaurant with his wife, Avalon, so I’ll be washing dishes for a long time.  Add Twitter account.  Check. Add Sales on Sounders Facebook page.  Check.  Read and heed valuable Sounders supporter words of wisdom and advice for soccer-viewing while alone.  Check.  My good friend and Sounders Supporter, Todd Hodges said, “the communal exhale in victory, defeat, or draw is a vital part of the release”, when viewing and supporting your club.  Not to wax too spiritual, but if you’re connected with everything “out there” then, Todd’s right, you will truly never watch alone.

This time I’m ready.  Only a 25-minute bus ride away from joining 36,000.  A quick auto-swipe of an Orca Bus Pass, and it’s a Metro dash to Qwest Field.  I’ll be in the hive of the Capitol of Soccer in America.  Seattle hosts Toronto FC this Saturday, May 3oth at 7:00, from its home pitch, Qwest Field.

“It’s not just the story that’s being told. It’s how it’s being told”.  Daniel Mendelsohn, The New York Review of Books, “Why She Fell”.

Julie Taymor, Spider Man, Turn off the Dark director

Mendelsohn, composed a wonderful essay chronicling, Julie Taymor‘s reasons for launching herself into the massive undertaking that is, Spider Man:  Turn Off the Dark, the struggling, in process, Broadway musical.  Her successful development as a director and creative mind behind other acclaimed productions, like Lion King, opened doors for her to take this type of “leap of faith” risk.  In taking risk with such abandon, she literally takes artistic leaps without knowing if a net is below.  She creates successful communal release and lands on her feet more than meeting the thud of failure.  Unfortunately, the production rehearsals of Spider Man had too many thuds from falling actors without nets.  Which caused her recent ousting from Spider Man.  The musical has failed to the tune of $65 million.  The Sounders would do well in the transfer window with that Broadway Bound Budget.  Is Julie Broken?  Maybe.  Repairable?  Proven.  Julie puts no less than the entirety of her soul into her work.  She will land on her feet again.

Steve Zakuani‘s leg was broken last Friday night in the third minute of the match with Colorado Rapids.  Brian Mullan slid with a reckless tackle causing the horrible break to Zakuani.  Mullan received a total 10 game suspension and $5,000 fine.  It is steep. One of the steepest in MLS history.  But Brian has accepted the penalty without challenge. Demonstrating both his wish for Zakuani’s recovery and acceptance for his brief lapse of judgement when launching into his slide tackle.

Julie’s failure and Brian’s recklessness whether artistic or sporting, challenges us to realize a necessary way to play in life is to leap with abandon.  Net or no net, leap into risk.  The difficult and critical challenge is separating abandon from reckless abandon. Julie Taymor is one of the best at doing so much with so little.  The uncloaked actors holding puppets in, Lion King is her genius-mind realized.  Brian Mullan has won five MLS Championships with all 5 MLS clubs he has played for.  So, even the best can fail. $65 million is not needed to realize an artistic vision.  Hard tackles in the 3rd minute of matches while in your opponent’s end of the field are also not needed.  The failure in both situations is steep and weighted with heavy retributions.  It is necessary to measure who these people are when looking beyond their errors and oversight in recent challenges.

Not to make excuses for their actions.

Julie Taymor and Brian Mullan both failed.  This should not be their legacy.  These two are among the best of their skilled trades.  Their successes outweigh their failures.  I’m not making excuses for them, but rather trying to see that how they play the game is with head strong visions.  Failure is a hard mask to see through.  It’s blinding.  How they have played recently is in question.  But the final chapters in their stories are long from being published.  They play without abandon and without net.  They dance the fine line between acceptable and unexplainable.  My guess, they are learning even more than most of us how to play alone in such challenging and necessary circumstances that they will once again grace the stage and pitch as champions.

No, these thoughts do not credit Broadway with $65 million.  Nor do they unwind the cast on Zakuani’s leg so he can step on the pitch this weekend.  For that, I’m angry.  I was hundreds of miles from Commerce City, CO and Dicks Sporting Goods Park where Mullan brought Zakuani down.  As Twitter lit up with the awful news I wanted to retaliate.  I couldn’t watch the replays.  I felt a broken supporter in a broken season.  I wanted to know why Zakuani fell.  Even with improved communication skills, new technology, and communal social mechanisms i felt alone in a lost season. Fortunately, Sreve Zakuani’s words spoken from the heart, kept me from feeling I was watching alone. He spoke to everyone who has ever had to overcome adversity, failure, and feeling alone.

Steve Zakuani #11 - Seattle Sounders #1 draft pick inaugural season 2009

In Steve Zakuani’s own words:

“The long road to recovery has already started and I am fully aware of the mountains ahead of me but I also know that I will go through all of the challenges ahead with a positive attitude using my faith in Jesus Christ as a solid foundation on which to overcome this setback.”

In Liverpool, every match begins by singing “You Never Walk Along”, from the musical, Carousel, by Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Who says Broadway and Beckham aren’t as connected as Taymor and Mullan.

Steve Zakuani on Twitter:

24/April:  Surgery went well and I am on the road to recovery. “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.” Speak to you all soon!

24/April:  Overwhelmed by msgs of support/encouragement. Can’t change the past, but I’m gonna control my future by remaining positive! One love!

Sounders FC spirit is low.  A five match undefeated streak feels forgotten.  Our #11 is not in the starting XI for Saturday.  36,000 fans holding #11 signs up for Zakuani to know beyond any possible cognitive doubt he is not alone in Seattle is our selfless hope to lift his spirits.  And hopefully our own.

A win Saturday changes everything.  Zakuani’s spirit.  Club spirit.  Supporter spirit. Everything!  That dark feeling of failure, even when comically watching your team alone, could fade into the abstract.  Leaving Zakuani and every Sounders FC fan a real feeling of communal pride.  It will be a tough match.  If there is any MLS team capable of the mental metamorphosis needed to leap boldly into uncharted challenges, it is Sounders FC who will accept the challenge to “turn off the dark”, on Saturday night.

* * * * *

Dedication and acknowledgments

Not a normal feature on, Sales on Sounders, but match #8 seems like a good time for a dedication and “thanks” to a few important people in the growth and support of this page.

Dedicated to the speedy recovery of our speedy Sounder, #11 Steve Zakuani.

Sales on Sounders first promotion:  IT Specialist and Man of Infinite Football Wisdom, (a true Red) Thomas Breuler.

Thanks to the first Seattle Restaurant, Avalon, dedicated to viewing and support of Liverpool FC and Sounders FC.
Thanks also to Todd Hodges, a dedicated Sounders Supporter and loyal Sales on Sounders follower.
Additionally, I wish to thank my brother, Aaron Sales for his knowledge, belief, and direct free kick in the butt to push on.
It takes a critically intelligent eye to shed light on a dark moment.  Thank you Dan Gardner.  Please read the full NY Review of Books essay, “Why She Fell”, by Daniel Mendelsohn.

© 2011 by Ryan J Sales


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WIN NOW – MLS 2011 First Kick, Battle for Los Angeles and Seattle

15 03 2011
First Kick 2011

MLS First Kick 2011, LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders Fc

Match Preview:

Major League Soccer, First Kick, Los Angeles Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC.

The 2011 Major League Soccer season starts tomorrow in Seattle.  First Kick, Major League Soccer’s premiere season opening match is hosted by Seattle Sounders FC for the third consecutive season.  A tribute to Seattle’s established Rave Green fan base. Sports reporters across America are setting their NCAA brackets aside for a few minutes to take in this spotlight US Soccer match.  No wonder, as Major League Soccer finally shows off a primetime cast of stars:

Landon Donovan: Hero of the 2010 US World Cup team.
David Beckham: Considered the biggest drawing name in the world of soccer.
Kasey Keller:  The 41 year old US Soccer hero turning legend.
Freddy Montero:  The Colombian First Kick hero from Seattle’s 2009 Inaugural Match and First Kick 2010 victory.
Steve Zakuani: Seattle’s inaugural season rookie sensation.
. . . and of course, the largest and loudest US Soccer fans.

This is a rematch between LA Galaxy and Sounders FC from the MLS playoffs last November’s.  Edson Buddle‘s long range wonder

Tifo

2010 prematch tifo vs LA Galaxy with Emerald City Supporters.

strike proved the difference maker.  LA beat Seattle twice in regular season, and twice in the playoffs.  Seattle defeated LA once last year in a US Open Cup match. So the Sounders come hungry and inspired to play for victory.

Starting in only its third season, Sounders FC are not looking for curtains to hide the mounting pressure to succeed.  Two consecutive US Open Cup titles demonstrate moderate success.  But the front office wants more, and has made it clear the goals are higher.  Fan support is top among Major League Soccer cities, including New York and LA.  So, Sounders FC owners want to reward fans with an MLS Cup. Anything less in season three means it’s time to find a new drummer. The band will break up.  Everyone from coach Sigi Schmid, Kasey Keller, owner Adrian Hanauer, MLS.com, Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated.com, and just about anyone following Major League Soccer is in agreement on this one Sounders topic. Win now, or personnel changes will happen.

I’m not a fan of the “win now’ attitude.  Not that I’m opposed to the front office of my team, I just don’t believe “win now” is good in sports. Yet when you step back taking the high altitude Everest perspective, Major League Soccer appears to be lacking spark and electricity.  The first thing you notice is a single giant spotlight coming from one city among the current 18.  There are a couple new flickers coming from nearby Portland and Vancouver.  Salt Lake City has a fun hazy glaze, but there is no telling whether that is fleeting or long-lasting.  If you were the front office of a popular club willing to sacrifice a little of your integrity for the larger perspective of a league, like MLS, then would “win now” become a more easily adaptable campaign strategy?  Memories of a failed NASL still surface for many sports writers and fans who are hesitant to embrace soccer.  To gain more interest and better media exposure one might consider what Sounders FC brass is doing as tactically business savvy and smart.  Play the “all in” make it or break it card.  It means every match at home or on the road is crucial.  It’s publicity 101.  It’s TV time, advertising dollars, and definite Rock-n-Roll tactics for bigger exposure.  Will you be laughed at and taunted?  You bet your “Sex Pistols” you will.  Is an epic failure likely?  You bet your Charlie Sheen sitcom it is.  Is it worth it in the end?  You bet your Pearl Jam World Tour it is.

 

Los Angeles Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy - MLS Cup 2002, 2005

“Win now” is not the best way to tell a story about your passion to children.  The beauty of the story fades into business rhetoric and the names of people and their amazing efforts and accomplishments become diminished or completely overlooked.  Soundbites wipe away prose. The ethos is lost forever in a sea of statistics.  Business takes passionate, creative, aesthetic qualities and spits out cheap ad campaigns.  Yet on rare days everything comes together and perfect moments are created.  Henry V, addressing his brave but weary men-at-arms before fighting the mighty french at Agincourt.  Joe Montana finding Dwight Clark at the back of the end zone.  Maybe tomorrow is that time for Sounders FC.  A perfect moment that comes together when all the outstanding ownership business efforts, all coaching tactics and practice pitch drills, and 36,000 of the loudest Rave Green supporters come together to form the start of a victorious season.  This is time for Sounders FC to “win now”.

 

________________

OK, I admit Qwest Field is no Agincourt, and Sales on Sounders, no Henry V.  But if I were to make a speech at the March to the Match when supporters and Sound Wave band gather in Occidental Park, this would be my Henry V like speech.  I hope you enjoy the speech and tune in to the primetime match.

Brothers, Sisters, Sports-fans, tomorrow we March to the Match.  Our young Rave Green welcome the mighty veterans of Las Angeles into Rave Green Hell.  A place we call our home.  Using the chanted power of our loudest voices we will inspire victory. There will be no more tomorrows, there will only be time for victories.  We will win now!!!

Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders 'til I die - WIN NOW!


 


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