Gamethread: Seattle Sounders at New England Revolution
by Dave Clark on Sep 4, 2010 3:30 PM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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Match Day Quick Reference Card - Team without Nkufo - Scouting Report
In the trailing shadow of Hurricane Earl a team with designs on being a Cup contender faces a team in a lost season that managed once again to come in second in a secondary tournament. The Seattle Sounders will be riding a high from Wednesday's US Open Cup Semi-Final win. The New England Revolution lost in the SuperLiga Final.
Even the best central midfielder in the game hasn't been able to carry the Revolution, showing that this is a team game. Shalrie Joseph has a Goal +/- of -0.8 and a Shot +/- of -2.8. This team game needs more than one great player. New England does not have that particularly with their International Losses, Suspensions and Injuries.
What can Seattle do to gain 3 points on the Road?
1 - Unleash a Secondary Scorer - While Fredy Montero seems likely to score in any game. He needs 10 goals in 8 games to meet his 20 goal in a season mark. But if Seattle only counts on Montero for goals they are a weaker team than they can be. This would be a great game to mix some scoring from Nate Jaqua, Alvaro Fernandez and especially Steve Zakuani. Zakuani's return to scoring and not just assisting would come from him diving in at an angle from the elbow rather than towards the endline for the assist as we saw twice Wednesday night.
2 - Stop Shalrie - He's a beast, and should be in a league wide best XI in any year. He can change a game on either end, and has a knack for set-play success as well. Seattle should NOT man mark him though, as it would take one of their players out of the game. Instead I would suggest a zonal marking system shared by Osvaldo Alonso and Michael Seamon. Using Seamon's young, fresh legs to harass Joseph on the New England side of the pitch, and then when he does enter the attack have Alonso pick him up and stop the forward movement. Combining the high pressure that Seamon would be applying would likely lead to turnovers in threatening positions.
3 - More Talent Equals More Chances - New England has two players out for international duty (Sainey Nyassi, Kenny Mansally), one out due to a Red Card (Cory Gibbs) and a Keeper out for injury (Matt Reis). While Seattle does have a few players out that are current starters but not on the injured list (Blaise Nkufo, Nathan Sturgis, Sanna Nyassi) they are really only weakened significantly at the Central Midfield spot in the Arrow (Seamon is more CM/CAM than CDM/CM of Sturgis). The greater talent level though has to be converted to chances. Keeping the pace of the game up will be one part of that, and not overpassing inside the attacking 18 will be another.
Notes: Mike Fucito returns to the New England area as a native and in the 18. It would be good to see him get minutes tonight. Gillette Stadium has brand new Field Turf, finally repaints their lines, but is still dozens of miles away from Boston (which hasn't hurt the other team that plays there one bit). Weather tonight should be lower 70s, clear and windy at game time. Michael Seamon has a G +/- of 0, Shots +/- of -6.3 and a Shot % differential of +3.4% in his limited playing time. Only one New England Player as a positive +/- in either goals or shots - he's played 6 minutes.
TV Tonight is KONG
Radio is 97.3
Arlo White has the Call (did you read the interviews?)
Rooting Interest for other Matches
Philly over KC
LA over Chicago
Columbus v DC United result does not matter for Seattle
Dallas over Toronto
RSL v Red Bull result does not matter for Seattle
Chivas USA over Colorado
Houston over San Jose
THIS IS YOUR GAMETHREAD
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I didn't, but it looks two goals in the last few minutes. Very exciting finish
It also looks like LA’s run at the top of the table may come to an end tonight. Columbus plays at DCU and DCU is awful. With a wn they would jump ahead of LA. Also, RSL is at home against NYRB and if they win, they will be tied with LA.
sounders lineup
Keller; Riley, Parke, Ianni, Gonzalez; Fernandez, Alonso, Seamon, Zakuani; Levesque, Montero
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revs lineup
Reis; Alston, Barnes, Osei, Sinovic; Dube, Joseph, Phelan, Tierney; Stolica, Perovic
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Thoughts on lineups
We had heard Jaqua may not be ready to go after playing 90 on Wednesday, looks like that was correct. Obviously, Sounders will be looking to recreate some of the magic they got from him when he scored on assists from Montero vs. DC United and Marathon. Believe those were the last two times he got starts alongside Montero, so maybe this isn’t so bad afterall.
As for the Revs, Stolica has apparently been a pretty strong addition. Don’t know much about him, but I’m guessing this will be a more possession and less speed oriented team than we’re used to seeing.
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Hard to imagine Jaqua’s fitness level is still not at full level…maybe something else keeping him from playing?
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
supposedly tweaked hamstring or something
nothing serious, from what I understand, but enough to keep him out of starting lineup obv.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Estrada activated
Just got an email saying Estrada is off the DL, which means he’s eligible for the 18 tonight. I know he traveled, so he could be in the 18, which I have yet to find an official list for.
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and here's our bench via Revolution twitter feed
#Sounders subs: Boss, Scott, Wahl, Marshall, Jaqua, Fucito, Estrada
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Revs bench
#Revs subs: Shuttleworth, Murray, Schilawski, Colaluca, Smith, Linck
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
no central midfielders
So a chance that Fucito or Estrada has to play different role.
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by Dave Clark on Sep 4, 2010 4:02 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Looking at that bench
I’d say either Fucito or Estrada will almost certainly play. Have to imagine Jaqua will come on late, the defenders could be late substitutes at midfield, I suppose, but Fucito and Estrada seem good bets to see time.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
if no injuries
I would expect all 3 offensive players to see time. Fucito for Zakuani seems a lock. Jaqua for Levesque. Estrada for Fernandez. Only question is who first at 60.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Sep 4, 2010 4:11 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
When did Revolution take this picture?
National team game maybe?
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It is weird to watch a game alone.
It feels like it’s 4:30am rather than pm and i’m back to world cup watching.
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 4, 2010 4:28 PM PDT reply actions
good call. that is the conundrum when watching/gamethreading
by chrisperry1983 on Sep 4, 2010 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Zak looking good again
Good to see that he appears to be fully healthy
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true
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Seriously
I don’t like it when he has to work
by chrisperry1983 on Sep 4, 2010 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
In other words
You wonder if Nkufo ever has an effect on the game?
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
I think Nkufo/Jaqua’s lack of presence is having an effect. I don’t know that it’s huge, but they certainly help whether they are scoring or not.
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Along those lines
I understand the effect he has, but it’s hard to look past the ‘not having scored’ thing. But yeah. I’m wondering if the lack of target forward is what’s killing our chances here.
by chrisperry1983 on Sep 4, 2010 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions
You don't miss the three shaved lines in the side?
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I swear that Patrick Ianni's head is made of concrete
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 4, 2010 5:42 PM PDT reply actions
One thing is for sure
His legs are unnaturally short. They make up like 1/3 his height
by chrisperry1983 on Sep 4, 2010 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Totally thought Zak held that too long
But awesome work.
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
What on earth happened to concrete face?
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 4, 2010 5:55 PM PDT reply actions
How does Petrescu not do anything?
It literally happened right in front of him
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
Shocker: Petrescu has yet again lost control of a match
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but the slap doesn't bother you?
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions
not really.
not at all.
take it like a man and stop fucking play acting.
the stomp was bullshit, and the “retaliation” was incidental at best.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
that's an interesting take
Considering you didn’t really see the stomp, since there is no angle that i’ve seen that shows it.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions
The NE feed showed a clear stomp. and little to no contact took place as joseph was going down.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
i guess i'll take your word for it
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Correct me if I'm wrong
But a deliberate attack to the head is a card. Regardless of how hard the hit was
How about the fact that montero just got a yellow
For a whole hell of a lot less then Joseph did to Ianni
Have you seen the way Ianni normally 'takes it like a man'?
He fucking ran into Connor Casey of all people and walked away
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 4, 2010 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Either soccer players are the most marvelous collection of pussies in the world or they are a load of play acting fuckers.
Because I have seen soccer players take incredible abuse and get up when it behooves them.
Then 2 minutes later they are on the fucking ground like they are in the middle of fucking sniper alley and just took two to the throat, when they were only being pressured by the defender.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
stereotyping sure does make life easier, don't it?
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Its not stereo typing when you see it game in and out, dont fucking patronize me.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
all players are this way because you've seen it happen many times?
Knock Ianni if you want. The sweeping generalizations are just lazy.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Fine, generalizing may have been a bit much.
the majority of soccer players a diving flopping and play acting their way across the field.
Montero flops all the time, I cant stand it.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
It's part of every sport that has fouls
Don’t tell me hockey players don’t sell calls all the time.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
The way soccer players behave on field
Has a lot more to do with the way the game is set up then the players themselves. I bet you’d see the same thing from american football players if 1/10 times they rolled on the ground they got a call to help their team.
Exactly right.
I guess more specifically what I hate is the fact that the game has degenerated into something where unless someone goes down in a limb-flailing frenzy nobody will get the call.
On the other hand, I am not one of those people who buy into the whole “getting the call” to help the team, but each to his own.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
Chill, dude.
Seriously. You’re not on the field. You have no clue what just happened.
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 4, 2010 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
yea, we sure dont have enough camera angles these days, the pitch is a complete mystery.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
Just wondering why on earth you bother to watch
When the majority of players are such cheaters and whiners.
Plus your language and generalizations are pissing me off.
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 4, 2010 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I hate Petrescu so much
He is so bad. He never has any semblance of control. This is a perfectly normal petrescu mathc
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
so i'm assuming levesque is moving back to mid?
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
MLS can suck it. Whatever
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Sep 4, 2010 6:06 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Fucito coming in?
Looks like Sigi may have been telling him to get ready
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
Its comical now.
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Sep 4, 2010 6:14 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Wow, when it goes wrong, it sure does go wrong
Man, not the way I saw this run ending
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
After that disgraceful display of sportsmanship
I’m kind of glad we’re getting punched in the face by karma
Aren't you just a bundle of dumb?
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Sep 4, 2010 6:17 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
And Fucito makes his return
Does this count as a silver lining?
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
I don't think even a DQ Blizzard could make this night better
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Sep 4, 2010 6:21 PM PDT reply actions
Believe this would be fourth straight loss where Sounders allowed four goals
United, Philadelpha, Los Angeles
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
make that three goals
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Just an awful loss
Won’t try to sugarcoat it. Sounders didnt’ necessarily need to win, but they really should have after taking the lead in 59’.
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
Not so sure about the "didn't necessarily need to win" bit...
With games against two of the three best sides in MLS coming up in the next fortnight, and a lot of teams with games in hand snapping at our heels, I’d say that this was a game we absolutely needed to win, as we cannot afford to throw away the opportunity for points against weaker opponents. Now, I’d say we need to find a way to take at least three points from the RSL/Crew duo, or we’re going to be right back where we started before the unbeaten run in terms of our playoff chances.
.
My point being
We can still make up these points. It’s not a “must-win” game. It sure would have been nice to win, but I save the term “must-win” for matches that have irrevocable fallout. This was not one of those games.
Kicking k-nowledge at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 4, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Take solace in this...
FL10 would have been given a red card after the Joseph Injustice.
We were overdue for a bad game...
But it hurts that the turning point was two bullshit moves by the ref. Still we got rattled and NE took advantage.
Also, the N’kufo naysayers ought to rethink their naysaying after that display.
by petestewart on Sep 4, 2010 6:53 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
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