Seattle Sounders Fall To Monterrey 2-1

by Dave Clark on Oct 18, 2011 10:17 PM PDT in Sounders: CONCACAF Champions League

CF Monterrey Rayados managed to pick off misplaced passes by the Seattle Sounders and nicked two goals. If that feels like a pattern for the Seattle side it is, having plagued them in their MLS match as well. The result has the Mexican side finish top of their group while the Sounders advance from the second position.

In Bryan Meredith's first start in goal he was forced to defend some of the best players that CONCACAF has to offer. Abraham Carreño started the goal scoring in the third minute (4th in CCL group) assisted by Humberto Suazo. As frequently happens Seattle managed to come back and draw the game. This time the Sounders captain took his shot from a set-piece and showed how truly amazing his shots can be. Scoring in the 42nd minute it was Fredy Montero's 17th goal in all competitions on the year. But Seattle's attempt to just get a draw was stopped when César Delgado picked up a blocked shot by Sauzo and drove it past two defenders and slightly above a diving Meredith.

With a slightly less than ideal XI Sigi Schmid's side still had opportunities to capitalize. But they fell short whether it was shots just wide when Montero was turning or Sammy Ochoa with a header right at the keeper the Sounders fell short though they had more chances on offense. Monterrey used a rapid counter that only had one other shot on frame that resulted in a Meredith save.

That counter attack showed a weakness that Seattle has, particularly when facing the better teams in either CONCACAF on in MLS. Despite Osvaldo Alonso's ball winning skills, there are still balls he can't get. Even if he disrupts the play the defense can't just pass it weakly back to the keeper or to each other in a casual sense. Whether it was the first match of the season, or tonight casualness slips into the defense. The best teams the Sounders face exploit this and win. With the MLS Cup Playoffs coming up the scouting report against Seattle will include this game.

It wasn't all dire. First, the result barely mattered. The teams finishing first in CCL Groups aren't dramatically better than those finishing second. So when the draw happens Seattle may face a team from Mexico, or Los Angeles, or Toronto. But that would be the case anyway. The Sounders in just their third year as an MLS club have advanced. They did so by earning 7 points in Mexico and Central America. Next March they will need to re-find that magic.

Secondly, a few players got extended looks. David Estrada's advancement in tactical awareness and strength is readily apparent. He's gone from being a slight, technical player with a bit of speed to having the ability to compliment the greater team quite well and is provides a 4th option out wide. Sammy Ochoa showed that he offers solid tactical awareness, strength and can win a few more headers than Seattle's used to seeing. Ochoa is clearly part of a three-man forward unit that can be used to dramatically shift tactics in ways that will be more fully discussed tomorrow.

Lastly, Montero can just be amazing. In a match that had two other men who have been captain at times, Schmid put the armband on his forward. That recognition may not have shown itself in the way he related to the team or the referee crew, but his skill clearly earned the honor. He had a few plays that showed he belongs in an MVP discussion, and that while he has things to learn the way he stays in MLS is because its skill catches him, not because he won't be wanted by richer teams in Europe.

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Thoroughly enjoyed the match, myself

Stupid defensive issues are a worry – if only we could learn how not to shoot ourselves in the foot. – but I thought we acquitted ourselves fairly well overall, and apart from some breaks at the end where they started getting in behind Riley consistently, I felt we were the more dangerous team on the whole; how many clear-cut chances did we end up creating? Even meaningless losses hurt sometimes, but this wasn’t one of them.

by Targaff on Oct 18, 2011 11:09 PM PDT reply actions

Frustration

Having had such a good year I haven’t had much opportunity to be frustrated at the team. I left the game today feeling upset that we gave this game away. It’s probably because this is the first game that we lost in the category of important. I wanted to be able to say we won the group. Instead we made several stupid, costly mistakes, tarnishing our hard work of outplaying them the rest of the game. I would have left just shrugging if we were solidly beaten.

by Milo1 on Oct 18, 2011 11:14 PM PDT reply actions

Decent Match

I think this was a fine, up-tempo match against a really good team playing to win.

We suffered from not being able to control the ball on the wings and make good crosses with neither Neagle nor Rosales nor Fernandez playing.

This hurt overall possession though Ozzie did a good job compensating with a more searching roll, forward and backwards.

In the end we really just had one lax, risky defensive line mistake or this could have been a different ball game.

The sloppy clearance that lead to the 2nd goal is something that just happens from time to time. It has happened to the Sounders already this season and will happen again. I don’t see bad clearances as our achilles heal.

by RalfZakuani on Oct 19, 2011 12:19 AM PDT reply actions

I'm really impressed with this team

Maybe Monterrey has lost a step or two over the last few months but the Sounders looked every bit as dangerous a team as Monterrey tonight and that definitely was not the case when we won in Monterrey back in August. I feel very hopeful that an MLS club will win the CCL this (next) year!

by Boz86 on Oct 19, 2011 1:02 AM PDT reply actions

Quick question

Was Parke pulled since this was his first game back from injury, or did he pick up a knock sometime during the game they wanted to be cautious about?

by agtk on Oct 19, 2011 1:03 AM PDT reply actions

Quick answer

He was actually pulled because Zach Scott had received a second yellow for the competition meaning he will not be allowed to play in the first leg of the knock out round.

Parke already has a yellow as well so with Scott already out we had to pull Parke to ensure he would be eligible to play in the next CCL match whilst Scott serves his suspension.

by Phatfingerz on Oct 19, 2011 1:33 AM PDT up reply actions

That makes sense.

Parke looked a bit confused when he was pulled, so I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, especially with us down a score.

by agtk on Oct 19, 2011 1:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Overall a good game by Meredith I thought

His positioning and delivery from the back looked good all night. He had some issues communicating with the defense, but that will improve with more experience. The two goals were the product of defensive lapses rather than any GK errors, IMHO.

The SAH Links Guy

by Dizzo on Oct 19, 2011 6:51 AM PDT reply actions

I really thought his distribution was good

I like his low and long drop ball kicks. They seemed more effective then Keller’s 50-50 American Football punts.

Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!

by chrisso on Oct 19, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you simply spend a wonderful evening with your wife.

Thanks to Sounder@Heart, I was able to attend my 4th Sounder’s game in person. And though the result wasn’t what we hoped for, my wife and I had a delightful evening. This Sounders team is a joy to watch; win, lose or draw.

Some thoughts on the evening:

1. Ochoa and Estrada were both impressive. They were dangerous and inventive and once again showed just how deep a side the Sounders possess.

2. The game provided the Sounders with valuable experience dealing with another style of play. Monterey has a very good sense of ball control. They used possession to manage the clock in a way that many MLS sides don’t. They also have perfected the art of bumping the opposition at precisely the right time to disrupt the timing of an attack. Monterey wasn’t thuggish. But they used the physical aspect of the game to great effect.

3. The Sounders need to work on their off the ball movement as they advance into the attacking third. Too often they get caught ball watching as the wings or CMs advance the play over the center line. If the strikers and opposite wing move proactively, they will create more dynamic space and opportunities.

4. Meredith had a decent game. He needs to work on setting up his defense. Kasey is so proactive at coordinating the defense that Meredith paled in comparison. But that will come with time and experience. He looked confident in goal and that is a good sign.

5. The Sounders and the fans create a wonderfully entertaining product. The style of play and the caliber of effort are worthy ways to spend an evening. Even on a night with a small crowd and the Sounders coming up short.

Thank you to Sounder@Heart for the opportunity to see the team up close. My wife and I had a wonderful time.

by Abbott Smith on Oct 19, 2011 6:59 AM PDT reply actions

This

Even if he disrupts the play the defense can’t just pass it weakly back to the keeper or to each other in a casual sense.

Was my first thought as we were walking out last night, too. Wondo’s goal Saturday, Hassli’s wonder goal a few months back… heck we can find examples all over the place of where the Sounders have been punished for a weak/bad pass in their own half.

We can complain about finishing all we want, but the Sounders have found the net more than anyone this year. If I had to pick one thing that must change for the playoffs, it’s lackadaisical passing in our own end.

by jayw913 on Oct 19, 2011 7:50 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Distribution out of the back

has been a big problem most of the season, in my mind. I’ve commented on several occasions that Hurtado just isn’t the same this year. His defense has definitely improved since the beginning of the year, but his passing has just been off (particularly headers). Often it has seemed like he has made little or no effort to direct the ball at anyone (by our count, exactly one headed ball went to a teammate in the SJ game). Additionally, his clearances have been odd as well. Often he hits the ball 60 yards in the air…. and about 15 yards down the field… yup, you guessed it, right to the opposing team. He’s better than this. His first season he was easily one of the best passers out of the back in MLS. Hopefully, this is just “first year back from major injury” syndrome.

Add to that, the fact that Parke has also been a little shaky at times (he’s usually a VERY sound defender with strong distribution skills. His distribution has been mostly good this season, but there have been some uncharacteristic moments. Forget about our outside guys…. they’re just going to make the occasional mistake and hit the ball light or too hard. They’re just not that steady. Add in the man I call the HBM (human blunder machine), Ianni, and you’ve got a defense that is often putting their keeper in awkward positions (it’s happened all season, don’t deny it). Good thing we have a crackin’ keeper, eh?

If you look at the goals we’ve given up this season, I’d be willing to bet that no less than 25% of them have come off turnovers in our own end. Take half of those away and we have one of the best defenses in the league.

by swansuite on Oct 19, 2011 8:33 AM PDT reply actions

I believe a lot goals in MLS come from defensive lapses

The Sounders defense is pretty solid despite the lazy backpasses and mind-farts. However, they’ve been getting worse in the last couple of games and the team will need to tighten up considerably if they want to beat LA in the playoffs.

The SAH Links Guy

by Dizzo on Oct 19, 2011 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

You don't have to take goals away

Seattle still has one of the best defenses in the League.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Oct 19, 2011 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Just had a chance to watch the highlight package

Didn’t get to see much of the development on the first goal last night due to where we were sitting. But on the highlight package, I understand why Sigi called his defense out for trying the offside trap at the outset of a game. It was an offside trap gone horribly wrong. Basically the Sounders released 3 Monterey players onto their rookie goalie, 3 minutes into his first game. Not a pretty sight. Parke was trotting as the Rayados drove toward the Sounders goal. Youth teams should just show their defenders this play and say, “This is why you don’t play for offsides at the start of the game.”

The Sounders do have a tight defense. But they need to maintain a clear sense of purpose. I want this ball to do this. I’ve gotten the sense that the defenders are getting caught being indecisive or torn. Simply touching or passing the ball without clear intent. Do I kick it out or forward? Do I kick it across the field or up the field. It is an example of focus within the game.

All last week, Kasey’s career was constantly defined by his stunning ability to maintain focus. Watching Montero’s goal from last night, I was struck by the way in which the Monterey keeper got his hand on the ball. He deflected it, but because of his wrist position, the ball still made it’s way into the goal. Earlier in the season, Kasey had a similar play where he used a firm wrist and the position of his thumb to deflect the ball outside of the post. That level of concentration in the reactions of a game, separates good from great players. The Sounders defense is good. I want to see them strive for great.

BTW, is anyone else impressed by the caliber of the CCL highlight packages? They do such a good job both in terms of the production standards and the speed with which they are posted.

by Abbott Smith on Oct 19, 2011 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions

right on

I’ve gotten the sense that the defenders are getting caught being indecisive or torn. Simply touching or passing the ball without clear intent.

We create a lot of bad balls that could be made better – or at least not dangerous – by putting some speed and intent on passes. Bad balls right to opposing players are one thing. Creating a 50-50 ball, on the ground, in your own end is something else.

Both need to be remedied. But they shouldn’t be hard to fix… /knockswood

by jayw913 on Oct 19, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions