Rave Green – Kings of the US Open Cup – Sounders FC vs Kitsap Pumas

28 06 2011

Kitsap Pumas - Coach Pete Fewing, Sounders FC Broadcaster - Club founded 2008

Boise State Broncos rose through conference play and inexplicable BCS algorithm to appear in the 2007 NCAA Fiesta Bowl.  They were paired with College Football giants Oklahoma Sooners.  Las Vegas odds were outwitted by tongue-in-cheek play-calling (see statue of liberty).  The mighty Sooners fell 43 – 42. Sometimes fun match-ups like that happen in college sports.  It happens every year in the US Open Cup. Tomorrow, raise a toast to sporting Underdogs.  Ah, Soccer.  The one lush place where the wide world of David and Goliath meet.  No draws.  One lives.  One dies.  Annual, not occasional sports classics.  Eight MLS teams face lower league teams in US Open Cup play. For the Rave Green Sounders, David is a Puma from Bremerton, Washington.  Seattle Sounders FC face the Kitsap Pumas.

Kitsap Pumas formed in 2008.  One year before Seattle was promoted from USL to MLS. Their home is Bremerton, Washington.  Most Seattle area fans traveling to Bremerton for Pumas matches, or Bremerton fans traveling to Sounders match-day include a ferry ride.  Kitsap Pumas are an amateur team playing in the Premier Development League (PDL).  Part of the larger United Soccer League (USL).  USL is the league all Cascadia rivals emerged from.  (Vancouver Whitecaps, Portland Timbers, & Seattle Sounders FC)

Pete Fewing, Kitsap Pumas coach, has been a coach at Seattle University, and has direct ties to Sounders FC as a Broadcaster.  He led his men through preliminary US Open Cup stages to reach the first round.  Only to face two-time defending champions, and the regions most populated soccer franchise, Sounders FC.  This is David vs Goliath. This will certainly be the Puma’s most historic match.

For Sounders FC this match becomes their fourth in ten days.  It must be mid-season. They have amazingly won their last three regular season matches in eight days.  A significant statement in their 2011 Major League Soccer playoff quest.  Now comes their first effort to defend their two consecutive US Open Cup titles.  With every starter and most reserves seeing significant playing time in the 8-day, 3-match affair many regulars will be sitting.  No forgiveness.  It is Cup play to the death.  Is Kitsap tasting Rave Green blood?

US Open Cup

Tuesday’s US Open Cup will be held at intimate Starfire Stadium.  Starfire is the Sounders training facility in Tukwilla, WA.  US Open Cup matches are not new for Sounders and Starfire. One memorable US Open Cup, and Sounders FC match happened in 2009 in a semi-final match with Houston Dynamo.  Sounders FC won on an overtime goal by Nate Jaqua.  Whose head was wrapped in a wide white bandage from an earlier foul.  Not long after he was given the name “Zombie Jaqua”.  His game winning goal helped guide the Sounders to their first US Open Cup.

I believe the US Open Cup is the reason to love Soccer.  It began in 1914.  You can not find a competitive format like it in any US team sport. A competitive match between amateur, semi-pro, or top-level professional teams. Teams from every US region and every backyard. If you have read, Sales on Sounders before you will remember Real Madrid recently collapsed to lower a level Spanish team. Agrupación Deportiva Alcorcón defeated Real Madrid 4-nil in Spain’s, Copa del Rey. Similar to our US Open Cup.  There is not only domestic precedent for David’s soccer upsets, but the beautiful game has a precedent of more global David’s than any other team sport.

Before the Sounders went MLS, they were that same David.  Crushing teams like Chivas-USA and knocking out Kansas City on penalty kicks.

I will wear Rave Green, but my heart beats to David’s drum.  Being 42, this is the first time I’ve been a true Goliath.  It does feel like being a king in giants clothing.  Easy to trip.  Sounders sage, and Assistant Coach, Brian Schmetzer summed up how a top tier team prepares for a lower tier team.  ”it’s tough guy Tuesday.  Tough guys persevere.  Tough times don’t last, tough people do”.

The following is an excerpt from a recent conversation I participated in on a social network group, “Sounders FC vs Portland Timbers Rivalry”.

US Open Cup '09 & '10

Ryan:  I will make my US Open Cup pitch for the 100th time, and I’m probably not done yet. It is competitive soccer!!! IF, teams are expansion, or going through a rebuilding phase, the US Open Cup should be a massive priority from Front Office to reserves. I think John Spencer & the Timbers need to put it high on their off-season priority list. I guarantee, even making it to Quarter-finals will make the Timbers better. Guaranteed!!! Too many people, and I mean MLS owners, coaches, and players do not get what this competition does that NO regular season match could EVER do. Until that realization is league wide, mid-season play like yesterday (Timber 4-nil loss to FC Dallas) will be an ongoing norm for new/rebuilding teams.  It is 3rd kit, crazy field locations, bizzaro world match-ups, and no-draws allowed. That factor, makes players earn victory vs get lucky.  It forces them to not play park-the-bus-defense.  Yes, I’m talking to you FC Dallas.  Just because Mourinho has done it, doesn’t make it good for MLS.  LA, you can also hear me sing!!!  To put my bold point on this, I’d rather fall to the Kitsap Pumas, than the San Jose Earthquakes.  It makes players play better.  Our late season run last year was in no small part due to CONCACAF and US Open Cup play.  Now forget us, that could be, and should be said of more, if not every MLS squad.  Now I will shut up . . . until next time.

Todd:  Preach it, brother!

Christopher:  I long for the day where every club who participates in the US Open Cup makes it a high priority to win that hardware. That’s our national championship at the club level, people. It’s a really big deal. Professional clubs, especially, should be trying to win the cup every year. I am tired of watching the B squad vying for such an important trophy.

Todd:  Win the USOC, get to CONCACAF, get exposed to international teams and get better. ‘Nuff said, right?

Christopher:  In a nutshell, North American soccer has come a long way…..but we have a long way to go

Contributions:  My social network friends and rivals from the Sounders FC vs Portland Timbers Rivalry page.
Please visit thecup.us, for the most thorough coverage of the US Open Cup.
Thank you to Josh Hakala for his tireless work on the site, knowledge of the cup, and dedication to grow its recognition and tell its story.  And for introducing me to its growing exposure.

© 2011 by Ryan Sales – Sales on Sounders


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Categories : The Full 90

Dear Santa, It’s a Sounders Christmas Wish

1 09 2010

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

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

2010 US Open Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March to the Match with US Open Cup

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

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

Love,
Sales on Sounders elf


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Categories : 2010

Galaxy Hero & American Hero

3 07 2010

Round 15 vs LA Galaxy

Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle are back from South Africa.  With both Galaxy teammates back from a successful World Cup filled with buzzing Vuvuzela and a wild Jabulani ball, an already  relative-successful Galaxy team will likely skyrocket up the charts and go platinum.  Beckham, is the only Galaxy star left to arrive, and is likely to return during the playoffs.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy - MLS Cup 2002, 2005

This is a story of two teams headed in opposite directions.  LA Galaxy are close to securing the Supporters Shield for best record in the MLS.   The Supporters Shield would establish them as the pole position club entering the playoffs.  Earning home field advantage throughout.  The Sounders however are falling.  On the verge of seeing a repeat appearance in the playoffs slip out of reach.  Seattle sits two games out of playoff position.  The only way in is winning.  Draws will only begin to hurt slightly less than losses.  Facing LA is the start of an intense two months of over scheduled matches for the Sounders.  With many weeks having two matches scheduled.

The Galaxy stayed a reasonably good team with Donovan and Buddle out for the World Cup.  With them in the lineup, the Galaxy seem unstoppable.  Or are they?  Fresh from the World Cup, Donovan and Buddle will certainly play, but likely need a couple of games to readjust to the pacific time zone.  Both World Cup players will likely be subbed out early.  Meaning LA will also have to be creative in their lineup and use of substitutions.  Those may only be small weaknesses, but the Sounders have proved to be good at exposing detailed weaknesses in other teams.  It’s finishing the chances they create that is the Sounders Achilles’ heel.

The Sounders simple key to the match is attack and posses.  Teams are tentative when attacking LA Galaxy’s high defensive line.  Yet the Sounders exposed that weakness against LA in their first meeting.  Unfortunately, LA scored a fluke goal just before the 1/2 hour mark of that meeting at Quest Field.  That goal completely brought what had been a great Sounders build up to a halt.  LA went on to crush the Sounders 4-nil.  What that score never showed was that a Sounders goal before halftime and the outcome may have looked quite different.  All of that said, no excuses can be made for the Sounders let down in that game.  LA’s efforts to expose their weaknesses were successful.  Nonetheless, it gives a seam of hope to Sounders faithful to know that the Independence Day match at Home Depot Center may not be the homecoming reception Donovan and Buddle are hoping for.

One last moment for Landon Donovan.  He is not a traditional #10.  Compared with say Zinedine Zidane, or Wayne Rooney.  He is no doubt deserving of being the US #10 as it has even more to do with his heart, passion, leadership, and determination than beautiful Brazilian skill.  I think Donovan represents the first uncovered truth of what the “US style” is.  Watching him play this world cup was so wonderful.  His goal smashed into the roof of the net against Slovenia, was the finest goal scored by an American in the World Cup in my soccer consciousness.  Topping that, not in form, but in intensity was his Prayer in Pretoria goal.  The winning extra-time goal against Algeria.  Donovan comes home a hero.  He put soccer in a spotlight it has never been in the United States.  Tomorrow, Galaxy fans will stand and salute him.  I will join LA fans to salute him as a Sounder and a proud American.  Thank you Donovan.  The US has arrived on the pitch of the beautiful game with you as our hero.

Post Match

For my Independence Day I had a wonderful Sales Family Reunion.  A full on family kickball game.  Complete with thorn bushes, towering smashes with one hand catches, and slow dribblers that are, well, best described as inside the infield homers.  The best and by far most imaginative family reunion game I’ve ever played was the Chicken Toss.  Nope, not like an egg toss.  In this more creative version, you slingshot a tiny hand sized rubber chicken.  Each one identical, except for the identifying number written in black on its belly.  The one who could sling the rubber chicken the furthest won.  We scattered about 30.  The rubber chicken carnage was beautiful.  I think this is what they were actually made for.  My cousin Mark orchestrated this, and as far as i know was the mastermind innovator.  Another game was the time-tested, classic “500″.  Played with a frisbee in this edition.  Which proved as physical, foul prone, and injury ridden as some soccer matches.  There is nothing like seeing the beautiful intensity of mom or dad lovingly push their children aside for a 100 point catch.  Only to have children grab the next one right out of their parents hands.  ”You can’t do that”.  ”I just did, and that just happened”.  ”That’s another 100, thank you”.  Trust me when I say I only barely exaggerate.  Because the rolling twisted heel was quite real.  In good family tradition, the game continued while mom iced.  Even at peaceful family reunions, competitive family games must continue.  Almost like a Monty Python family reunion, “ah play-on children, ’tis only a twisted ankle, it’s not as if my leg’s chopped off’”.

Anyhoo, the Sounders and LA played, and . . . the family reunion was more competitive.  My Uncle Bill was so awesome and gracious in listening to me talk about how exciting the Sounders have been.  Unfortunately, it turned out to be as poor and unexciting as they have been.  My Uncle Don and Aunt Carolyn were so wonderful to host the reunion, and let me have the game on.  Thankfully Zakuani scored, and at least proved the Sounders have some heart and skill.  The game was so bad, the only good thing I could say is that the Sounders played much, much better in their 4-nil loss to LA at home.  I should have turned this 3-1 loss off.  Walked away.  I wasn’t “watching alone” so no supporter rules would be broken.

“Where’s my rubber chicken?  May I borrow that slingshot?”


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Categories : 2010

Portland Calling

30 06 2010

The thump of drums, shower of chants, sling of chainsaw, wash of smoke-bombs, flares, and crazy flag waving fans are not English soccer fans.  It’s Timbers supporters from Portland.  All American baby.  No English derby, this is Emerald City Supporters of Seattle against Timbers Army of Portland.  Vuvuzela will be burned.  This rivalry may look like an English Football Derby, but it’s American as apple pie.  It’s the defending 2009 US Open Cup Champion, Seattle Sounders FC vs Portland Timbers.  A rematch of Seattle’s 2-1 US Open Cup victory over Portland in 2009, played at the same site as this years rematch at PGE Park in downtown Portland.

The US run in the World Cup was pretty fun.  On a scale of 1-10 the Algeria game was an emotional 11.  The game play itself was only an 8.  Then what is a 10, Mr. Sales on Sounders, you ask?  Well, thanks for asking.  My friends, the answer is simple.  It is one of the oldest professional club rivalries in American soccer.  In classic English football terms it is a “derby”.  Tomorrow, Sounders FC travel to PGE Park, squaring off with Portland Timbers and their outrageous supporters, the Timbers Army.  A much-anticipated rematch of Seattle’s 2-1 US Open Cup victory over Portland last year on their way to winning the 2009 US Open Cup.  A great achievement in the Sounders inaugural season.

2009 US Open Cup - As special recognition to Sounders supporters owners had fans take cup in March to the Match

Sounders FC celebrated many historic firsts in their 2009 inaugural season.  Top among these achievements was their 2-1 victory at RFK Stadium, against DC United in the US Open Cup Final.  Taking home their first title and hardware helped establish the Sounders as the winning club they are building to become.  More importantly it opened a door for them in season two to make their first attempt at ascending the highest obtainable height for any club worldwide.  This soccer Everest, is the FIFA Club World Cup.  Clubs qualify by winning their regions Champions League.  The Sounders region is CONCACAF.  The same region the US Mens and Womens National Teams qualify through to reach the World Cup.  The FIFA Club World Cup is annual, while the World Cup is every 4 years.

Portland Timbers old logo

Portland Timbers old logo

In last years US Open Cup against Portland, Roger Levesque scored a stunning, and for Timvers fans, heart breaking first minute goal.  Levesque was already one of the most hated players in Portland for having scored the most goals against them from 2005-2008.  The final 3 years Sounders were in the USL-1 division with Portland.  In his first minute goal, Levesque added kindling to the Timbers fire by adding a celebration mocking one of Portland’s famed rituals.  The Timbers have a Lumberjack for a mascot.  He takes his chainsaw, revs it up and cuts wood, spraying sawdust and smoke into the beer bellowed air of the Timbers Army.  Levesque, being savoy and spiteful, had a teammate act like he had a chainsaw, and proceeded to cut Levesque down.  Levesque fell and was dragged away by other teammates.  It was a well choreographed goal celebration.  One that stirred conversation going into the rematch.  With Portland joining MLS next year, Timbers fans already believe they are as good as the Sounders, and don’t need much motivation to try and prove it.

The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders rivalry started in 1974.  Last year, even with the teams in different leagues, the US Open Cup match, and Levesque’s goal only had added intensity over past rivalry meetings.  The game earned a featured two page picture in Sports Illustrated a week later.  The game will draw even more attention this year, including TV coverage.  US Open Cup matches are rarely televised as the competition has little advertising.  The intensity of this rivalry and the rematch are some of the best inexpensive advertising the US Open Cup has had.

“Why so serious”? Said the Joker to Batman, in, The Dark Knight.  Well, the US Open Cup will never be bigger than the MLS Cup.  But as people begin to understand soccer more they will see the value in this competition.  It allows potential young stars to gain recognition and compete with older former players, top amateurs, as well as MLS regulars.  Even though a small rural county team may never win the cup.  It is every few years that just such a team will knock out an MLS team, and forever place that team and its community in a spotlight.  I invite everyone to support this type of true community sport.  I hope 10 years from now towns all over the US will compete to host a US Open Cup match.  It is “so serious”, because winning it is one means for a US club to potentially reach the status of best club in the world.  The winner gains an opportunity to play in the CONCACAF Champions League.  The winner of the CONCACAF Champions League earns a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup.  By the Sounders winning the 2009 US Open Cup, they make their first attempt at ascending this great soccer Everest this year.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

This is one of our country’s oldest competed for trophy’s dating to 1914.  In 1999 one of the outstanding patrons of the modern competition, Lamar Hunt, was recognized by adding his name to the competition.   The competition is open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams from amateur to professional.  Prior to joining Major League Soccer, the Sounders had not won a US Open Cup, but had a winning record against MLS clubs.  They knocked Chivas USA out of the 2008 US Open Cup 5-1.  Upsets for some reason, well beyond my comprehension of soccer, exist in this sport more than any other I know.  Earlier this year in Spain’s Copa del Rey, (Spain’s version of the US Open Cup), Real Madrid lost 4-0 to Alcorcon.  A team well below Real Madrid’s

Alcorcon

Agrupación Deportiva Alcorcón - Founded 1971

world status.  Could you imagine Boise State beating the Dallas Cowboys in a pre-season game?  Never, ever, ever.  Well, it happens every year in soccer in almost every country.  This last winter I watched Manchester United get knocked out of the FA Cup, on their home pitch, by a second level team.


For Club and For Country

FIFA = Federation Internationale de Football Association

The 6 regions of FIFA
AFC – Asian Football Confederation
CAF – Confederation Africaine de Football
CONCACAF – Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
CONMEBOL – Confederation Sudamericana de Futbol
OFC – Oceania Football Confederation
UEFA - Union of European Football Associations

National Teams and Clubs play in the same region.  For example, the US Mens and Womens National Teams play in CONCACAF, the same FIFA region as MLS clubs Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy.

And we wonder why World Cup refs can’t get calls right.  Who the heck even knows all the regions?  No wonder US sports stick to conferences like “North”, “South” “East” and “West”  The toughest one we deal with is BCS.  Nice and short, unfortunately no one knows how it actually works.  Well, that is other than how it works annually to deny the University of Utah and Boise State their due National Championships.  Oh, but that’s for a muse of another day.  FIFA is an association established under Swiss law, located in Zurich.  The President is Sepp Blatter.  As far as I can tell, your chances are better to meet the Pope than Sepp.  Unless of course, you are Bill Clinton or Mick Jagger.  Until that happens, the closest your thoughts and comments will get to anyone in FIFA, including Mr. Sepp Blatter, is with my Sales on Sounders comment link below.  Have at it.

Post Match

When a soccer match comes to Penalty Kicks a few things are certain.  Any player still standing after playing a nearly full 130 minutes is physically and mentally running on empty.  The full 90 played out with a few minutes tacked on for stoppages completing the first half, and again at the end of regulation time.  No winner decided.  Two extra time periods of 15 minutes each elapsed, again without a winner emerging.  So, all that is left is guessing right, or guessing wrong.  Simple really.

In 1994 an Italian guessed wrong in the World Cup.  Chances are you don’t know his name.  Baggio stepped up for his PK, (common name for Penalty Kicks) one of the brightest, high-profile Italian stars in European soccer, and his brightest moment was upon him.  Italy and Brazil squared off in the Rose Bowl, in Passedena, for the 1994 World Cup Final.  If Baggio hits his PK, Italy knocks out Brazil.  Confidence is what Baggio is known for as much as any player on the pitch that day.  His shot is confident and strong.  A little too strong.  His shot sails over the crossbar.  Brazil win another World Cup.  I was in Nak-Nek, Alaska working at a fish processing plant.  I saw this Italian go down to the ground.  I thought briefly, “ah too bad for him”, then I jumped up and down with everyone else enjoying the Samba Kings celebration.  His star status shot from the sky.  In the harsh world of soccer, he’s no big deal anymore.  The less likely Brazilian hero, who made his shot, is Dunga, who is coaching the 2010 Brazilian team to another likely appearance in the South Africa final.  When such an intense and grueling sport comes to guessing right, or guessing wrong, it’s fair to say, the outcome will always be unreasonably unfair to someone.

Portland matched the Sounders ability for 130 minutes.  The Sounders took a 1-nil lead in the 13th minute, but Portland fought hard for the equalizer in the 38th minute.  That was the end of the scoring summary.  Penalty Kicks would decide the fate of both teams.  The winner advancing in the US Open Cup, and the loser out.  The coin toss chooses advantage.  The first team to shoot has that advantage.  Portland won the coin toss.  Each team gets five penalty kicks.  Team with the most made, wins.  If still tied after five, then it keeps going until one makes it and the other misses.  Keller took the advantage away from Portland making the first save.  Seattle hit the next three shots.  In the fourth round of PK’s Keller again guessed correctly, making the save.  Patrick Ianni only has to make his shot and Sounders win.  Like Baggio, his shot goes high and off the crossbar.  Portland makes their last shot.  Zach Scott for Seattle is last to go.  He guesses correctly, missing the Portland keeper and Sounders advance.  It’s glory for Sounders.  How unfair for Portland at home.  I’d almost feel bad for Portland, except not much has gone well for Seattle in 2010.  So a little fortune in guessing right feels like just rewards.

Scoring Summary

13th min, Seattle -  N. Jaqua, (goal), Montaño, (assist)
38th min, Portland – B. Dike (goal), Pore (assist)

Final – Seattle 1 – 1 Portland

Penalty Shoot Out
Seattle
1. N. Sturgis (Goal)     4. P. Ianni (Crossbar)
2. F. Montero (Goal)    5. Z. Scott (Goal) – Winning PK
3. S. Zakuani (Goal)
Portland
1. R. Pore (Save) 4. R. Smith (Save)
2. D. DeMartin (Goal)   5. R. Lopez (Goal)
3. M. Danso (Goal)

Penalty Kick Final – Seattle (4) – (3) Portland


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Categories : 2010

For Father and For Club

10 06 2010

My father will be in surgery from Thursday morning to late afternoon.  The Sounders play Major League Soccer’s game of the week the same evening.  What do my father’s heart surgery and Sounders FC have in common?  Both are genuine and unique in their endeavors to champion the human spirit.  With intense passion, taking nothing for granted, they march to meet life with scarves raised every day.  Stopping for no one, yet inclusively showing everyone the way to happiness and celebration in life.  In constant song and chant both demonstrate, in action and word alike, how much everything in life is worth fighting for.  Both have the heart of a true champion.

Black-and-Red

Facing the most celebrated club in Major League Soccer’s short fifteen year history is Thursday evenings challenge for Sounders FC in its Round 13 match vs DC United. DC United are known as the “Black-and-Red”.  A club that could easily be described as the heart of Major League Soccer’s short history.  They own the largest trophy case in Major League Soccer.  It holds four MLS Cups, four MLS Supporters’ Shields’ (for best record), two US Open Cups, and the one most coveted by Sounders FC, the *CONCACAF Champions’ Cup.  DC United are the only US team to have won our regions Champions League trophy in 1998.  The Sounders have a lot of room still to fill, but they got an early start in their inaugural season.  Sounders traveled to RFK Stadium, for the 2009 US Open Cup final vs DC United winning 2-1.  Literally swiping the trophy right out of United’s case and starting their own collection in Seattle.  In only their second season, the Sounders will have their first opportunity to play for the CONCACAF Champions League later this summer.  So, as it is with Sounders FC, and the immense passion of its fans, supporters will meet Thursday evening before the match, march, chant ,and sing.  Fighting with the heart of a champion to defeat an already decorated one.

US Open Cup - 2009 - Owners of Sounders FC allowed supporters to March the cup to the match

Both teams met 3 times last year.  Sounders home match turned into a blistering goal frenzy, finally settling at 3-3.  The away match proved a turning point in the inaugural season, with the Sounders winning on a brilliant strike by Fredy Montero, fed from James Riley for a 2-1 victory.  The win led to a great end-of-season, run-of-form propelling the Sounders into the playoffs against Huston.  The third match was the US Open Cup victory.  The Black-and-Red have uncharacteristically struggled to a 2W-8L-1D record in 2010.  Starting to find their form in th last few games, and with MLS taking a World Cup break, they will have nothing to hold back.  Sounders would do well to duplicate their performance from last Saturday.  Score early, continue to defend by applying attacking pressure, picking up additional goals.  Then let the midfield and defense lock-down the second half.  If DC United pick up an early goal, they will defend in numbers, limiting Sounders ability to find space forward to create scoring opportunities.

Sounder 'til I die

For my father, and for my team, Thursday will require a calm mind with intense spirit.  Surgeons and supporters alike will need a full dedicated focus.  I wouldn’t want to be anywhere in the world except Seattle to find the best of both.  I will be in the waiting room for both operations.  It is with the same intense spirit for life as my father that I will quietly raise my scarf in that waiting room tomorrow chanting for my father and team.  You never wait alone, you never watch alone, and “you’ll never walk alone”.

*Do you know your CONCACAF’s? Get used to these A,B,C’s.  As fluently corked as the acronym is, this is name of the region the US will always play in.  Club and Country alike.  If Sounders FC want to be #1 in the world they must win the CONCACAF Champions League. If the US wants to challenge for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, they must be one of the top three qualifying teams in the CONCACAF region.  So, until Canada sells all its fresh water for cash and buys up North America, this is the acronym we got’ta stick with baby. Here it is: Take a breath, CONCACAF = Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.  Whew.


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Categories : 2010

Stop The Revolution

5 06 2010

Before launching into round 12 vs New England Revolution, I would like to recognize and promote North Star Fine Coffee.   Who sponsor the Sounders. I was fortunate to meet their owner Bryan-David Scott after the San Jose Earthquakes match.  It was a wonderful experience as a passionate Sounders FC fan to meet and talk with another passionate fan who happens to own a company that creates a coffee specifically with the Sounders in mind.   The blend North Star Fine Coffee has created is, Kick Coffee and features the Sounders badge on the front.   They are looking to bring this coffee to the March to the Match and eventually out to many local youth leagues.  I’m taking time to support them because as fans themselves, they are the best example I’ve found of what the Sounders FC has been about since their start.  From ownership to fans, we stand for a unique partnership with sport, community and business.  The bond promotes Seattle, the Sounders, and all our supporters as the Soccer Capitol of America.  The more businesses that follow North Star’s lead, the more well established soccer will become here and all over the US.   This advertisement is posted because Sales on Sounders believes in the people and the company who make Kick Coffee.   The only currency exchanged in posting this ad is shared passion and an appreciation that comes from good conversation with good people.  I’ve had a tremendously enjoyable time talking with Bryan and hope every Sounders fan has the same opportunity.

Curtains up.  Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen for joining me for Round 12 vs the New England Revolution.  There are two mighty games until Major League Soccer takes a respectful bow to this Summers center stage at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

New England Revolution

Similar to the Earthquakes and Rapids, the Revolution are another of the original 10 clubs formed for the inaugural Major League Soccer season in 1996.  Their trophy case is a bit bare compared to other inaugural teams.  They hoisted the US Open Cup in 2007.  Their logo and branding are not responsible for their mostly empty shelves, but the team logo and badge need a make-over and face-lift.  Image is a small, if not insignificant aspect of the game, but it should say something about a team and its sport. Their badge looks more like a crayon drawn political poster than anything representing a soccer club.

Fortunately, whatever they lack in look and feel with their badge they make up for in their coach.   What endears me to this team is coach, Steve Nicol.  Nicol played for one of my beloved teams, Liverpool FC from 1981 – 1995.  He also played for the Scottish National team from 1984 – 1992 earning 27 caps.  He played for some fantastic Liverpool squads, winning the English League 5 times, FA Cup (like US Open Cup) 3 times, and 1 European title.  Additionally to coaching he has been an ESPN Analyst.  He was featured on ESPN during halftime analysis of English Premier League matches during the 2009-2010 season.  Listen to him once and you likely find yourself converted like me. It’s partly due to my attraction to his accent.  More than a good voice his clarity in how to simply but effectively execute the game makes it easy to see why anyone would be a soccer fan.  It is a testimonial to Nicol, that players stay loyal to him.  Their star and captain, Shalrie Joseph would have surely left for a more successful club by now if not for Steve Nicol.

Shalrie Joseph is a stud.  He plays with enormous intensity and strength.  Not matched in MLS in my opinion.  He is 6′ 3″ with footwork like he’s 5′ 8″.  His arching passes look more like Frank Lampard of Chelsea, than anyone in MLS.  Watch Lampard face USA in the June 12, World Cup match.  The ball sweetly arcs over defenders and lands at the receiving players feet.  He plays ridiculous numbers of roles per match.  With his height and strength he plays a central striker up front, rolls out to left-wing, tracks back for central and wide defensive coverage, helps organize the midfield to push forward, and sets the table for other players to score.  Yah, I could write that in a less run-on manner but that is not how Shalrie plays.  He doesn’t stop his run-on role until the ref raises his hand and blows his whistle.  I don’t want him to win, but I don’t mind watching him as closely as any of the Sounders.

Sounder 'til I die

Like Sounders FC, New England Revolution has been affected by injuries.  Shalrie is coming back from one  He’s only beginning to regain full match form.

How do you stop a player like Sharie?  Not easily.  He will require the full attention of Seattle’s defense.  Here is my blog-chair coaches take.  Shalrie will get winded.  Likely requiring a 70-75th minute sub.  If the Sounders run him down that will Solidify Coach Nicol’s decision to give Shalrie a late game rest.  At full strength if you give him 5 yards of space he’s like any top NFL receiver with enough room to catch, juke, and break for the end zone.  Put your body right up into his.  Ask him to dance.  Man-up to him.  He may run over you, but it will remind him you are here to dance with him all night.  Get on him right when he receives a pass.  It will get you into his head.  Give him one moment in a game, and that moment likely turns into a series of passes that lead to one game losing goal.

Post Match

One of the Sounders more unexpected players scored a goal last night.  Leo Gonzalez, worked his way up field, inside the top-left of the Revoltion penalty area.  He drilling a glorious, curling, left footed shot that veered around the Revolutions back-up Keeper Steve Shuttleworth, for a 5th minute goal.  Leo Gonzalez, (Gonzo) is the Sounders regular starting Left-back, from Costa Rica.  He came to the Sounders last year and has played on the Costa Rica National Team.  The spectacular early goal set the attacking tone of the match earning him, Man of the Match honor.  Holding up other teams forwards and midfielders from attacking their right flank is his usual job.  He’s one of the best in the MLS at doing it.  For him to have a goal and assist in the same game is all sweet cream.  He added an assist on Montero’s third goal.

Coming into last night’s match Sounders were 1W-4L-1D in their last 6 games.  Goals felt like nostalgic memories in a season of forgotten dreams.  Leo woke things up early, electrifying 36,000, and maybe, just maybe reminded the team a potential champion lives and breathes within this squad.

Sounders FC have been difficult to write about the last few weeks.  I’ll start with a reasonably sensible pre-match overview.  For the majority of each match they play the way you think they will.  Then comes the furiously frustrating and only momentary nap-time.  In a seemingly insignificant instant, one goal is in, and the complexion of the game turns against them.  Teams end up out shot, out played, and victorious.  The stats have not added up.  Last night, Leo may have turned it all around on one wonder strike.

Leo Gonzalez – 5th minute strike v NE Revs 6-5-10

Tale of the Mohawk

The greatest soccer players, like Zinedine Zidane, are all a little, you know, crazy in the head.  They have to be.  In terms of bodily-kinestetic intelligence they work the soccer pitch at an unmeasurable IQ.  What seems crazy to us, is part of their secret language of sanity on the pitch.  The best way to see it is to smile in wonderment as a spectator, and enjoy.  Freddie Ljungberg, is one of those players.  He helped Arsenal win two Premier League titles, three FA Cups (similar to US Open Cup), and was the English Premiere League MVP in 2002. During one of his hot goal scoring streaks for Arsenal he sported a red mohawk.  Not his sexiest look but added drama to his on-pitch attitude and flare.  The last few games many critics and fans alike have complained about his complaining too much.  He throws his hands in the air at Refs when he doesn’t get calls his way.  So, at age 33, on a beautiful June evening in Seattle, Ljungberg sported a mohawk.  He came out wound up, flying all over the field, making everything go Seattle’s way.  In the second half, ahead 3-nil, he started throwing a tizzie.  He even threw his water bottle at his own bench, cutting Sigi Schmid’s arm.  He kept up appearances with the Ref and let the world know he wasn’t happy.  He also set the table for no fewer than two more goals that did not get finished.  As I saw it, he was the player of the match.  He was the best player in MLS last night.  He was the sexy stud in a mohawk.  The problem, the real serious problem here, is whether he should be allowed to cut his hair, or be required to sport it as long as Sounders win.  The complaining, arm waiving, and mohawk created a Sounder perfect 3-nil storm.  CAW, or complaining arm waiving, and mohawk are simply 3 means to identifying Ljungberg’s on-pitch intelligence.  He is footballer, I am spectator.  In him is champion.  I hope it’s Sounders before I die.

Freddie (Mohawk) Ljungberg v NE Revs - 6-5-10

Game Summary:

Goal – 5th minute – Leo Gonzalez, assisted by Steve Zakuani
Goal – 24th minute – Steve Zakuani, assisted by Brad Evans & Freddie Montero
Goal – 42nd minute – Fredy Montero, assisted by Pat Noonan & Leo Gonzalez


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Categories : 2010

The Pacific Clash

20 05 2010

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

Clash - RIP 1995-1999

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

 

FC Lorient - old badge

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

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

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


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

Current San Jose badge

Los Terremotos de San José

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

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

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

Sounder ’til I die

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

It is time for the Sounders to shine at home!

Post Match

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

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

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


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Categories : 2010

The Sounders, The World, and The Galaxy

7 05 2010

Round 8 vs LA (Buddles) Galaxy

Edson Buddle is taking on Major League Soccer on his own.  His Galaxy teammates have simply shrugged their shoulders and decided joyously to ride atop his.  So far he has proven during this young season to be Superman-capable of accomplishing such a feat.  Know his name.  By the end of the season, Edson Buddle will likely be holding a championship trophy, league MVP honor, and major factor in how far the US goes in the World Cup.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy - MLS Cup 2002, 2005

A half-dozen offers from English Premiere teams will also find his address.  I’m a Sounders fan, but this guy is for real.  A sudden cosmic blast in the soccer galaxy.  Watch him now, because his moment may be brilliant, but short.  He’s 30.  He knows the game, but the time for him to display it is much shorter than if he were starting to find his form at 22, like Steve Zakuani.  He displayed great talent before this season, but showed no signs of being capable of his current stats.  His name has often been followed by words like “talented” and “disappointment”.  Sadly, Charlie Davies, the star for the US in last years awesome run in the Confederations Cup, is out of the World Cup due to injury.  So a US Striker roster spot is available with only 35 days to get in form for the Galactic Clash with England.  Not official, just personal, I project Edson Buddle in the US starting lineup on June 12th.  He is the best pure striker in the US right now.

 

Games played:  7 Shots taken:  32 Shots on goal:  15 Goals:  9 Assists:  1 Team record:  6-W, 0-L, 1-D

England and US square off in Rustenburg, South Africa, in 35 days.  Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, march their undefeated MLS leading Galaxy into Seattle and are both likely to be featured for the US in the World Cup clash.  Saturday, we get to see them up close.  My pre match take on this growing rivalry is made simple by Buddle himself.  Stop him.  Landon Donovan is talented, but looks to pass before shoot.  Take Buddle away, the crowd noise creeps in, and no other Galaxy forward will find Buddle like Donovan does.  Watch crosses on the run.  The Sounders have already shown some issue in this area.  See Real Salt Lake, and most recently Columbus.  The factor is also key, don’t give up many close range free kicks and numerous corners.  Landon Donovan proved during his winter stint at Everton in England, that he is one of the best in the world at set pieces.  It’s OK to give him Saturday set piece duty off, so he has more time to prepare for England in June.

 

The Yanks

The Stars & Stripes

The Three Lions

The Three Lions

 

 


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Categories : 2010


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