Sounders v. Philadelphia Union, Gamethread
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 4:39 PM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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PrintJust looking through some of the pre-season predictions around the soccer world, today's matchup would appear to be a huge mismatch. While the Sounders are predicted to make the playoffs almost unanimously, the Union are expected to finish in dead last by almost the exact same margin.
Among those throwing their support behind the Sounders are Soccer Inside Steven Goff and Soccer America who each predict at least a conference title; Climbing the Ladder and 3rd Degree goes one step further and predicts a MLS championship; even RSL Soapbox thinks we'll finish on top of the conference.
Even with a few key players missing from tonight's lineup, anything less than a victory will be seen as a letdown, if not necessarily a significant setback.
I'm here at the George & Dragon handling the gameday thread. If you happen to come by, I'll be the nerd in the corner with the computer. They've got the Huskies game on, in case that's what's keeping you inside.
Sounder at Heart is at Elysian Fields for the preparty.
Notes- TV is ESPN2 with JP Dellacamera, John Harkes, Allen Hopkins. Radio on 97.3 will be Thom Beuning and Pete Fewing. Sons of Ben, the Philly supporter group traveled with more than 60. SBNation has launched a Philly Blog
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1:15 before gametime
And G&D is already packed. I’m expecting it to thin out once the bus to the game leaves, but I’m constantly impressed by the Sounders’ following even outside of Qwest.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 4:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I hope we don't have deja vu.
Last year New York were heavy favorites to win the opening match, and look at what happened to them.
Idle pregame talk
Apparently, Don Garber intimated that more DPs could be on the way. Seattle seems to be an obvious benefactor if this happens. Any thoughts?
Could be both positive and negative
Positive for Seattle and other money making teams. Top teams could afford more talent and that helps bring in higher levels of play.
The negative that I would worry about is a chasm that could start to grow between teams. Would there be teams that wouldn’t sign 2 DP’s because of money concerns, and would that make them less competitive? Keeping the league competitive as it grows is important in my mind, and while higher levels of play would be welcome I just worry about any possible fallout, which might be completely unfounded fear.
You're right in at least one sense
Some teams will have two DPs, while others won’t even have one. Of course, one of those teams without a DP last year was RSL. I think DPs are generally more about bringing in fans than raising the level of play.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, I do agree with that
Most DP’s are on the downside of their career and don’t really add huge amounts to the level of play. And I contradict myself in many ways, as I am optimistic the league will grow and lead to possibly bringing in DP’s that are more than just a name. Of course if that the league grows like that it hopefully it is happening across the board.
More random observations
I guess MLS is giving away a two-week trial of online broadcasts. I guess that means I’m at G&D purely for drinking purposes.
The CBA details
RSL Soapbox has a pretty good rundown of some of the provisions. I’d say the players did about as well as they could have hoped.
Houston will get a stadium
Must admit that as a former San Jose resident, I was kinda rooting against the Dynamo for awhile. After moving to Seattle, though, and with SJ having the Earthquakes again, I’m actually happy for them.
Good luck tonight...beat the Onion
Who cares how bad the Bay deal will look in 2013, the world is going to end in 2012 anyway
by Stephen Schmidt on Mar 25, 2010 6:07 PM PDT reply actions
i stand today with my extended Family
We are 38,000 strong
I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Ok Syracuse lost and I'm depressed
Come on Sounders…give me some juice!!!!! Here’s to the 2010 season
I was bummed about that as well. I’m a student at UNI, and I selfishly want our Panthers to be the only feel good story of the tourney.
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
haha! good to hear! i saw jordan eglseder on campus a couple days ago (he looks as stupid in person as he does on tv) and talked to ali farokhmanesh shortly before they left for st louis yesterday (he is as short in person as he is on tv). haha
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
Both look to be benefitting
Not getting in eachother’s way and seeming to have a much better idea of where the other one is
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Lineups
Seattle: Kasey Keller, Zach Scott, Tyrone Marshall, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez, Roger Levesque, Brad Evans, Osvaldo Alonso, Steve Zakuani, Freddie Ljungberg and Fredy Montero. Subs: Terry Boss, Patrick Ianni, Nathan Sturgis, Tyson Wahl, Sanna Nyassi, Mike Fucito and David Estrada.
Philadelphia: Chris Seitz, Jordan Harvey, Danny Califf, Toni Stahl, David Myrie, Andrew Jacobson, Danny Mwanga, Roger Torres, Michael Orozco, Sebastien Le Toux and Alejandro Moreno. Subs: Brad Knighton, Stefani Miglioranzi, Shavar Thomas, Nick Zimmerman, Jack McInereney, Amobi Okugo and Kyle Nakazawa.
looks like teams are struggling to do much of anything. ECS sounds good tho…
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
seriously
sounds like there’s a mic in supporters’ end
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Goal
Well, that was awesome. Guess the scoring curse is over. Evans from Zakuani. Great ball movemen.t
Great cross Again
Zakuani doing well. Should have been a goal for Roger.
Zakuani has been awesome so far
Certainly a good sign, I hope.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
How many games did Leveque start last year?
Still a good sign we’ve had a couple of great crosses this early.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm a little troubled with how much time Philly has spent on our side of the pitch.
Guess Novak is being aggressive like many thought he would be?
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
They don't look particularly potent though
Think of it as more opportunity for the Sounders to catch them on the break.
Looks more like he pulled something in his lower back?
No contact there, so I’d have to guess a pull of sorts.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm guessing it's not too bad
he just made a pretty nice pass, although he’s passing on the corner.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Hope this is a sign of the growth he has made
He looks great so far.
Is it just me or is Lundberg letting the Mids take more charge than last year?
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:22 PM PDT reply actions
think that's by design
Sigi wanted both Montero and Ljundberg further up
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Makes sense.
It seems like Lundberg took all the corners last year. I’d like to think he’s passing off some of his experience to his teammates.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Every day I am amazed we still have osvaldo alonso
I’m surprised that he hasn’t been picked up by a bigger team.
Union doing good job
Of applying sustained pressure when they have a chance. usually getting a decent look or two whenever they have ball deep in sounders end.
Not too bad for their first game.
You can see they are still working to put it all together.
I’ll be more impressed if they can keep up this pressure all 90.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Union player got a red card on someone
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
stahl gone
philadelphia is now down a man after hard foul. really hard to say how bad it was after replay.
It wasn't a straight red was it? I missed the start of the game so I'm not sure if he was already on a yellow.
but yeah, definitely a yellow card offence.
2nd Yellow
Stall did a hard tackle on Ljungberg drawing the first yellow.
that was awesome
even better on replay
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
WHAT A GOAL!!!!
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
Yeah that was pretty
Must be nice to know how to be in the right place at the right time.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh hooray. They are talking about NYRB on ESPN2.
The problems with national coverage. If it isn’t NY it doesn’t really matter.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:40 PM PDT reply actions
their staduim opens for the 2010 season
its pretty hard to ignore that
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
atdhe.net has an english feed
http://www.atdhe.net/15923/watch-philadelphia-union-vs-seattle-sounders-fc
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
Hey I wouldn't mind that.
Soccer is always better in Spanish.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions
It's been mentioned
But Zakuani is looking great. The Freddian seems to be working together a little better.
they do look better
Not getting in eachother’s way and seeming to have a much better idea of where the other one is
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
The entire team looks better
The entire sequence of the first goal was fantastic from beginning to end. The passing, overlaps, knowing where each other were… it made me giddy.
And Montero’s goal was just nuts.
Seems like better coordination up front.
More players are taking more active roles. Defense appears to remain pretty solid.
Sounders are looking good, but we’ve been helped by Philly’s play as well.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
as well as an early red
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
I was trying to be nice about it
But you’re right.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions
haha thats a hard fact to ignore… i think regardless of it we are outclassing Philly
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
we're up 1-0 at even strength
so let’s not sell ourselves too short
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, that didn't happen until the 40th minute.
I think Seattle were the better side for most of the half.
They are wondering on the Philly thread why we aren't posting more.
http://www.brotherlygame.com/2010/3/25/1390829/first-kick-union-v-sounders-game#33259038
I just can’t think of anything to add at this point.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 8:11 PM PDT reply actions
small victories indeed
apparently, they don’t like that we have a jersey sponsor either …
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't forget our team colors were apparently to match up with Microsoft.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
They are similar to the accent colors for the Seahawks.
Not sure if the Paul Allen connection played a role. I’d imagine.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions
True, but I think we have more than 35k fans.
My guess is the time difference. It’s 8:15 here, so people are out doing different things.
by magistermilitum on Mar 25, 2010 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
different kids of fans
Fans that care enough to post are also the types that go to games.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions
that too
most of our fans aren’t lame enough to be sitting in a bar watching a game while posting … ;)
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions
would you post comments while at a bar?
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
Would love to see a third goal
Even though that’s getting a little greedy.
2-0 is a good win to start the season
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
Depends on whether or not you think the guy in the middle (sorry, I still don't know the team very well) was interfering with play.
Well, assuming the offside rule is the same as it is here.
Not a bad debut
Easily could have been 4-0, but Seattle dominated play and pretty much looked like the contender we expect them to be. Great way to start the season.
Thanks for making my gamethread debut fun
I’ll be back next week.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2010 8:52 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Great Game
I have to say I think Montero played a heck of a lot better in this game than he did over most of last year. He held the ball, was passing looking for others most of the time, in the right place for that amazing goal. He was also doing a fair bit of hustling compared to last year. I was pleasantly surprised. Of course Alonso, Hurtado, and Marshall were their normal selves being dominate in the back.
There was a lot of sloppy play though and after this game I expect good things from Philly this season. Probably near a .500 record. They played pretty great for being down most of the game, and they are really young. Definitely a team to watch as the season goes forward.
SOUNDERS Win WHOOOO!!!
hey! I was at elysian fields!
until halfway through the second half. sort of near the northeast side watching the TV beside the bar.
didn’t even know that was SoH official. would explain all the rave green I saw!
2nd half of the huskies game, mind you
section 326.
I ended up with 4 free hot dogs in the second half as they ran out of customers to serve to.
Nice start
Couple nice goals, could have had 3 or 4 more, but who’s complaining. I thought Alonso had a great game, and both zakuani and Evans look poised to have break out years. And how about that back line of ours! Marshall and Hurtado were rocks, and Gonzalez is simply a really good player. Liked the little bit we saw of Fucito, hope we see more of him.
Don’t know if they showed this on tv, but a plane flew over the stadium before the game pulling a banner saying “ACES: Go Union!” I usually find ACES annoying, but that one made me laugh.
by PeterJH on Mar 25, 2010 10:34 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
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