Gamethread: Chicago Fire at Seattle Sounders Competing for a Playoff Spot
by Dave Clark on Aug 28, 2010 6:00 PM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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Scouting Report - Three Questions - Lineup Card - Freddie Ljungberg's Return
The Seattle Sounders return to league play after two losses in the CCL, and this match is as important as any. The Fire are key competition for the few open playoff spots. With their lineup getting the recent boost of former Sounder Freddie Ljungberg they should be able to threaten.
What are the Keys to the Sounders getting 3 points?
1 - Get in Freddie's Head - We all know it isn't that hard to do. We've seen what can happen. I expect to see Zach Scott, James Riley and Nathan Sturgis be the primary men guarding the Swede. When Scott's on him we may even see that bulldog defense (also read as marginally legal) that we saw the Left Back use against Sebastien Le Toux. Since Ljungberg already isn't a two way player, it would be great to see him play only half his game.
2 - Feed Nkufo - Not to harp on it, but the big man needs to score. When he doesn't have the ball he's doing everything that is expected, except receiving the ball. Get him the ball at his feet and watch him put some shots on goal. It would also be nice to see him be able to get his head on a set-play as the Fire are particularly prone to giving up goals by that manner.
3 - No Defensive Lapses - The two goals that Monterrey scored were due to defensive errors, not getting out-played. Kasey Keller left his line but didn't come all the way out, and later the attempted offside trap went wrong. The Chicago Fire are not Monterrey. They aren't more talented than Seattle. Even with the slightly worse defensive line, they should not get more than a goal tonight.
Here are your rooting interests in the other MLS matches this evening and tomorrow;
Columbus Crew over FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake over Toronto FC
New York Red Bulls over San Jose Earthquakes
New England Revolution draw Philadelphia Union
Houston Dynaom over Colorado Rapids
Los Angeles Galaxy over Kansas City Wizards
Chivas USA draw with DC United
Earlier matches
TV is KONG
Radio is 97.3 FM
This is your gamethread
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yeah
just colors, but it helped provide background
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Agh, Matchday live still isn't streaming it yet
I’m getting nervous
Still not streaming
With this and all the blacked out matches, why the hell did I pay 40 bucks for this shitty service?
Booing FL10 on first touch
But reaction was mixed during intros
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
Holy hell ball to Nkufo's feet
I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him dribble. Looked good despite the handball.
This thread is dead
I guess everyone decided they needed to be at this one.
I think we all would.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
by iced on Aug 28, 2010 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
BTW
http://tweetphoto.com/42049649
http://yfrog.com/f/n8vo2hj/
http://twitpic.com/2j75fo
Pics of the display for those interested.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
Biggest cheers of night for FL10 getting dispossessed
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 7:58 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh man
Think Montero has a grudge against Ljungberg?
I'm still puzzled
that it seems Seattle gets more PK calls against them then for them.
this is a fact
Although it’s a rather small sample
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions
plus when we do get a penalty for us…we miss it…cough philly montero cough
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
You mean Noonan?
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
or the famous
ljungberg miss against the crew last year at home.
Did I say montero? Silly me.
I had heatstroke there that day anyways.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
Montero did draw the fould tho
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Even so
i find it totally pathetic at how many times seattle’s been foul in box or there’s a hand ball by the opponents in the box and only 3 PKs called.
My God that's terrible reffing
At worst it was ball-to-hand
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
it hit his arm
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Fun fact
In the hospital, doctors accidentally switched Collins John’s first and last names.
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
I'm officially over Sturgis taking free kicks
I realize I’m late to the party on this
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
This referee seems to have no clue what he's watching.
Chicago should have at least one guy sent off by now. They’re playing rugby.
He also only gave about 1 true minute of extra time
Before blowing the whistle while the Sounders prepped for a deep throw-in. This guy is a clown.
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
Yea that annoyed me.
I mean, half that extra time was wasted from you talking to players. Give us at least a chance since we have the ball down field.
Now with more lemon bars!
Yea
How the heck is that a foul against nyassi when he got pulled down.
i still
find it a dump call but that’s just my imo.
I’d like to see the reverse angle on it…. it didn’t appear from behind (the only angles they showed) that Nyassi’s foot got as high as Chicago dude’s face. If he really got him, OK, but that guy’s been a punk the whole game and I’d rather somebody have really connected with him.
That being said, the shove came before the high kick anyway.
if
i push you down how exactly are you able to avoid bringing the foot up in the air on the way down to the ground. That’s what i question of foul of.
The one that really gets me is...
When that dude for Chicago was rolling around in the box, and the other Chicago guy came up, pulled Flaco down from behind (no play on ball), and ran over him……. with no booking. Also two clear handballs (one in the box) much closer to an actual handball foul than the one on the penalty.
Montero’s booking…. from the side, simple foul. But all that Chicago stuff and they hardly get anything.
Yea its
pathetic how the refs treat the sounders when it involves fouls or handballs in the box.
Sounders really outplayed Fire, but oddly must be happy to go into locker room tied
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
and believe it or not, there was once a Atlanta Flames
Which I’m pretty sure is a reference to Sherman’s march
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions
San Jose Earthquakes
Also insensitive to people who died a hundred years ago
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
Or the Hurricanes
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions
couldn't help but laugh myself
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
How is that not a penalty
And best understatement of the year “it looked like there was contact” from Arlo. Awesome.
Riley brilliant as ever?
I dunno about that one, Arlo.
Great cross from Kufo to Flaco
Skids through goal box
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
Nkufo has learned something....
If Sturgis has the ball, run to his right.
I am thinking Seattle is going to get lots of negative press for booing FL10
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
Well even though this is nothing like FL10 coming back to arsenal with west ham or ronaldinho to camp nou with AC Milan….
I dont really think his…poor play this season merited boos.
But each to his own.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
Showed up late, basically quit on the team.
All while getting paid a lot of money as a has-been.
It’d been one thing if he was booed during introductions, but he got the typical response of anybody who chooses to leave in top flight… cheers to start, boos rest of the way. Even Tevez gets that from West Ham, and he basically saved them from relegation in his time there. Nobody expected any different when he went to Upton Park after that.
For the record....
The GA booed him at introductions.
WHO?
by magistermilitum on Aug 29, 2010 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I do like the ball movement with this group
Now we need some results
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That looked great from Fredy
Too bad it was right at keeper
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
what i meant to say
:)
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Heh :P
Seriously how have they not scored yet
by Thomas Beekers on Aug 28, 2010 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions
that's like four FK's from just outside of box
Only dangerous one was a shot by Fredy near beginning of match.
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
That first corner was a pretty good ball
I’m trying to find positive things to say about Sturgis
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
Memo to anybody in the back half other than maybe Leo....
If the ball pops out on a corner clearance, and you think of just firing aimlessly…. DON’T.
Second week in a row that Sean Johnson has nearly died
Or at least that’s what his reactions would suggest.
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
Well
that was amusing. We criticize him for his lack of the ability to kick the ball with his left foot and yet he gets an assist with his left foot.
STURGIS I AM SO SORRY I HATED YOU FOR THE LAST 15 MINUTES matches
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
by iced on Aug 28, 2010 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He's not getting attention
I think he’s fine
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions
He looked a little Latin
Playing for time
by Thomas Beekers on Aug 28, 2010 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Loudest I've heard qwest this season
Great, great win. Absolute statement match.
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
That's the plan...
Thanks to Jeremiah for the feed link. South Dakota doesn’t get much for soccer channels..
You've jumped in at a great time.
Zakuani, Montero, Fernandez, Nkufo on the pitch at any given time? Tons of fun.
Freddie signing autographs
He’s really not a bad guy
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
He's an awesome guy
I wish him the best… and I hope that’s the last time we have to play him
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
Well, we got one more in Chicago
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
The other headline..
“Freddie who??”
It’s like FL10 wasn’t even there in the second half except to pout.
I would rather have him on our team
But now that he’s not a Sounder I could care less what he does
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
If
he spent a little more time focusing on the game and produce here and there i wouldn’t have a problem if Seattle kept him.
this is a joke right?
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 28, 2010 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I love Freddy Ljungberg the player and the personality.
Him being traded was best for everyone involved, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was an incredible asset for the team in his first season and that he was extraordinarily fun to watch.
by BrianL on Aug 28, 2010 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Furthermore, context matters.
Wonder why the team is doing so much better now? It’s not because Ljungberg’s gone, it’s because they’re healthy.
It also doesn't hurt that Montero is playing out of his mind
No way is the Freddie thing addition by subtraction
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
Definitely.
All I’m saying is that the bitching about Ljungberg almost as misguided as the accusations that Montero was lazy earlier this season. It ignores context and worse ignores the incredible things he did for the team before he was traded.
by BrianL on Aug 28, 2010 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hell if I know.
I can’t quantify morale and chemistry.
Question...
… does anyone know the significance of Montero kissing his right wrist after he scores a goal?
Also, thank God we survived without Leo.
Now let’s never play another match without him.
Spot on Dave!
How about the message sent by Montero to Ljungberg??? That was a big statement and smart yellow..
The longer this scoring drought goes on with Nkufo, the more it gets in his head. Jaqua smells the chance now to get his job back.
I’m concerned that there is still virtually zero goal support beyond Montero and Zak. The Nyassi “clean sheet” isn’t good enough. This won’t work come playoff time..
And is anyone else getting tired of Alvaro’s flopping/diving??
Nice win though. Great game by Montero.. Ljungberg was a non-factor, which I didn’t expect. But Chicago’s midfield was an overall no-show..
Flopping/diving?
I would hardly say that Alvaro is play acting. He does seem to be adjusting to the physical play, but I definitely wouldn’t say it’s anything that is particularly glaring.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 29, 2010 1:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Alonso was Ljungberg's spare uniform tonight
Barely left him all night, right up in his jersey, shutting down just about everything Ljungberg tried. Really great job by him tonight.
I really don’t think Fernandez is flopping. I agree that he really needs to add some muscle in the off-season to better deal with the physical play, but except for those few moments right before he came off, I don’t think he flopped at all.
He's such a toothpick
I find it hard to say that’s flopping. He’s just not quite there physically and gets knocked off the ball easily.
Also, agree on Alonso. Wherever Ljungberg was, Alsono was nearby and in his back pocket shortly thereafter.
Great Win
This is the first game I’ve seen in a while with pretty consistent awful reffing. For example, I’ve never seen a ref overrule his linesmen so many times in a game. Whatever, It’ll be nice to have the whole squad able to play against RSL. We’ll need them.
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