Seattle Sounders Deserved More Than A Tie, But It's Hard To Complain At This Point
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 25, 2011 10:51 PM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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You're unlikely to see a MLS team dominate as much as the Seattle Sounders did on Friday and come away with less to show for it. The Sounders fired off a team-record 26 shots, eight of them on target. Fredy Montero, O'Brian White and Steve Zakuani accounted for 18 of those shots, by themselves three times as many shots as the entire Houston Dynamo team managed. Yet, the boys in Rave Green needed an 80th minute goal from Steve Zakuani just to salvage a 1-1 tie, their first point of the three-game-old 2011 season.
There's no point in detailing all the nitty-gritty details here. (If you're really interested, read my live stream at Seattle.SBNation.) Just know that the Sounders dominated this game from the opening whistle, conceded a somewhat unlucky goal on a well taken free kick, and needed a late goal just to get a point.
Before the game, we openly talked about needing a victory in order not to panic, but we never imagined a victory eluding the Sounders in this way. The Sounders played well in every facet other than scoring a goal. They dominated possession, created chances, forced the opposing keeper into several saves and kept their foot on the pedal. But they didn't finish their chances. Any of this sound familiar?
In many ways, this is the same tune the Sounders were singing early in the 2010 season. But this really does feel different. While that team was dominating possession and outshooting their opponents, there were very obvious shortcomings that could be identified. There was obvious frustration. There was undeniable turmoil. The team did not look particularly dangerous for long stretches.
Especially on Friday, this was not the case. The lockerroom scene was hardly celebratory, but players were taking the tie in stride. Kasey Keller, always one to count on for an honest assessment, seemed almost upbeat.
"You keep creating chances like that, keeping it as tight in the back as we did, there are a lot of better days in our future," the veteran goalkeeper said. "It was a great effort from everybody and if we play like this, we're going to win a lot of matches."
There's no question a result like this is frustrating. It would be easy to say that if the Sounders only had a clinical finisher that this season would already be looking a lot different. But the reality is that no such player will be rolling into town in the immediate future. The Sounders seem well aware of their predicament, but with 31 games left to play, panicking just seems counter-productive. Not to sound too much like a Polly Ann, but there are real positives to be taken away from a match like this. Unfortunately, that won't be enough for too much longer.
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I'm still incredibly irked at that ref.
But I’m very happy with what I saw from the Sounders offense tonight. Too bad the defense looked shaky (with the exception of midfield, especially Ozzie).
Now with more lemon bars!
Ozzie made their midfield look positivily amateur at points
when he was taking on 2 or even 3 guys in close quarters and leaving them holding their shots while he streaked off with the ball. I think his ball-control in tight quarters have improved even over last season.
our whole team made them look amateur at points
there were large portions of that match that were varsity vs. JV. How we didn’t win will haunt me for some time…
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
No kidding
BTW, I meant ‘holding their shorts’. They didn’t get enough shots to hold. Stupid lucky bounce off the corner… sigh
So what was the scoop
with Hurtado and Fernandez? Sigi just mixing it up?
I have so much agnsty rage right now I feel like a papa roach song.
by Robert on Mar 25, 2011 11:13 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Piss-poor coaching
Never had much faith in Sigi’s decision making and tonight just proved to me why….
First off, the line up that finished the game should have been the one that started. Question Rosales fitness…. If lacking, Flaco should have started and Rosales should have come in at 60 min. Evans should have been a sub and only used if Friburg or Ozzie got hurt. Friburg should have started and remained in the middle… No brainer. You gotta be blind if you can’t see that Friburg is a midfield version of Montero.
As for the defense…. Kinda think it was irrelevant who we played back there cause Houston is pretty much crap and did very little to threaten. Their one goal was a good free kick but that’s about all worth noting in their game tonight!
O. White….. Kinda gotta wonder why this guy is still starting….. He’s really good at being in the right place at the right time but unfortunately he can’t finish and therefore he’s not a good striker! Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of choices here but I would rather see Jaqua start over White and I’m guessing we might have a few more points by now. White can’t finish and frankly it’s not good enough. Very disappointed tonight….. It should have been 3-1
We need a new coach!
Lots of talent here but the prob is we have a crap coach that doesn’t know how to use it.
Thank you Zakuani for delivering one tonight cause it’s starting to get ugly in Seattle.
I agree with the fact that the ending lineup should have been the starting lineup.
I don’t know about the rest of your post, but that much I agree with at least. (These thoughts are based off what I could see – I was sitting in 124 today, so behind and to the left of the ECS.)
I know Jaqua is probably not match fit yet, but the game opened up dramatically when he got on the field. I’ve never been a fan of the guy (to steal a Holmgren quote, he more often than not reminds me of a giraffe on ice), but tonight he showed exactly what our attack has been missing – size and physical presence.
I have faith that O’Brian can become serviceable eventually (and from what I saw tonight, he didn’t play terrible), but the amount of space that Jaqua opened up the moment he entered the field (not to mention the defensive shift Houston had to make to just cover his size on crosses) really changed the dynamics of the attack. Jaqua doesn’t have ball skills to speak of, but as long as his body is there, I think it helps our attack significantly.
Morales looked fantastic. I think a lot of that may have been the fact that he had fresh legs, but regardless, he was far, far, far more dynamic with the ball than Evans was all night. I’d like to see him starting at right mid with the Freebird at the top of the Diamond. Flacco would be a perfect super sub for the midfield if any got hurt, or after an hour or so once Morales runs out of steam.
It’ll never happen, but I’d love to see Montano play at right back. I mean, he couldn’t be much worse than Riley/Scott….
Morales is actually Rosales
FYI – show some respect…. It’s not Morales, it’s Rosales.
Jaqua may not be match fit.. Fair enough. Also agree with you not
Morales plays for RSL in case younger confused
Morales plays for RSL in case younger confused
Did you enjoy a drink or twelve tonight?
JWAY’s new drinking game will do that to you.
by CMC_Stags on Mar 26, 2011 12:17 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Show some respect?
Getting a guy’s name wrong isn’t disrespectful, it’s just a mistake. Calling a coach who’s won the league with two different teams ‘crap’ is kind of disrespectful, though.
Nos Audietis
by sidereal on Mar 26, 2011 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If accidentally getting a guys name wrong is disrespectful...
then show some damn respect. Its Friberg, not Friburg.
At this point, anybody who calls Sigi a crap coach needs to have their head examined.
Sigi may have made a few questionable lineup decisions, but I think I’ll take him, winner of MLS cups, and national championships, over just about anybody else available right now.
by jacobcda on Mar 26, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
So… From 108 I have an excellent view of the entire game.
Overall, we have a team with tons of talent. Problem is our coach is crap and I think it’s a safe bet that if we don’t make a deep playoff run that he is finished…… He fails to inspire…. Very simple. If you play the game then you know what I am talking about!
so Sigi is supposed to put the ball in the net, then?
because lack of finishing is the problem here… if you play the game then you understand that goals win matches, and you don’t need to be in 108 to see that…
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
Goals win matches and when you outshoot ur opponents 2 or 3 to 1 and when you clearly outplay your opponents, you expect to score and you expect to win. When you don’t score with those stats, you acknowledge the problem, you dissect it and you rectify it….. Wonder when that’s gonna happen.
Until then…. Sigi is crap!
I tell you what, you are pretty determined to blame this all on Sigi, so you have at it
not entirely sure what I have to gain from continuing this discussion
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 12:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Does your vantage show you that we did the right things last night?
Dude, we could have been 3-1 last night with all those kicks, but for an inch here and there. How is that Sigi’s fault?
Serious question
Did Sigi just become crap, or has he been that way for a while now? I mean, I’m generally baffled by his substitutions a lot of the time, but you’ll have to give the guy some props.
He won three College Cups, a CONCACAF Champions Cup, two Supporters Shields, three US Open Cups and two MLS Cups.
Sigi
Focusing on our team….. How would you rate him?
His past doesn’t earn him trophies. Results do though.
I too am baffled by his subs. What’s the prob with all our DP’s?
Can he only coach kids? Just cause he has prior achievements doesn’t make him good.
Results do though. Seems like it takes him too long to figure out the chemistry of our team here.
I don't rate Sigi as high as you might think
but he seemed to nail the substitutions tonight so I am a bit perplexed by that criticism in this context. The DP situation is something I lay at the feet of Hanauer and Henderson, and I think you;d be surprised how much I agree with your chemistry sentiment. That being said, Sigi has delivered results throughout his career. Let’s consider that he took a first-year team and got them to 4th on the table, and last year managed to turn the team around in the second half. We’re three matches in, and some critical players have been unavailable due to injury…
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 12:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Subs
Agreed… The subs were perfect….. On a positive note, I’m not sure who is responsible for the acquisitions of Friburg and Rosales but whoever it was is brilliant…. Sigi? If it was Sigi, I take back everything I said bad about him…. But only if he continues to play those two :)
Otherwise, he’s crap again!
As for Sigis past, I could care less. what’s he doin now?
I think this will be his last year here if the he doesn’t perform. Just my opinion
you may actually be correct about that last statement
there seems to be an atmosphere or MLS Cup or bust about the team this year, expectations are sky-high. I can’t help but wonder if that is affecting their performances out there…
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Hanauer's comments about blowing the team up if it didn't perform
can’t be helping, thats for sure.
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Mar 26, 2011 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions
When did Hanauer say that?
I don’t think anyone has said this team is getting blown up, but Sigi maybe alluded to it.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 26, 2011 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Honestly, I'm too lazy to search for the exact quote
but it was to the effect of “this is the year we expect to see results, and if we don’t then maybe its time to look at reworking the core”. Am I mis-attributing a Sigi quote?
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Mar 26, 2011 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions
that sounds more like something Sigi said
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 26, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Chris Henderson said it to me
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Thanks Dave
I knew I wasn’t making it up
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Mar 26, 2011 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess I’d rate him as a solid coach. Two years, two playoff appearances. Fairly solid for an expansion MLS team.
You say that results matter, but the past doesn’t matter. You sound like an NBA GM who keeps recycling failed coaches hoping that this time will be different. Sigi has won in the past and, in my mind, should win here as well if the pieces are in place. I’m not looking to replace the coach after every loss.
That said, Sigi does have his issues. His substitution patterns have been puzzling and his system and tactics can be more rigid than I’d like (for example the LA playoff game)..
The DP situation is a real non-starter. FL10 wasn’t about Sigi and we’ll likely never know the whole sitation regarding Nkufo.
by jonnyreno on Mar 26, 2011 12:55 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm baffled how Friday comes down to coaching
From what I could tell, Sigi pushed all the right buttons. His team dominated every aspect of the game that he could have influence upon. I may not like seeing Alvaro on the bench, but it sure seemed to work. As for the subs, Rosales and Jaqua are definitely not match fit for 90 minutes.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 26, 2011 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
you actually have to give props in some ways to Sigi for having Fernandez on the bench. It certainly seemed to work and how many coaches out there have the cojones to put a DP on the bench (except obviously off an injury situation or something).
Gotta disagree on White
Yes, his finishing is bad. Mostly he needs to learn how to one-time a ball which he is apparently incapable of doing, but otherwise I thought his hold-up play work on the field really made a difference. I thought he did better than Jaqua out there (granted, you have to give Jaqua a bit of time to get back into the flow as he’s been out a long time).
Wow!!!!!!
Lets call a spade a spade. This is not new. Yes, 25 shots is alot, but common! I hope that three weeks from now we are talkiing about a team in first place. Right now, the team is under-performing. No question. I am just watching out of love for my team. I hoe it gets better.
hard for me to justify Fernandez starting on the right from now on...
with the fact that Friberg and Rosales both look like better options over there. Baybe Fernandez can get back into the starting lineup in the middle, taking Evans spot. Friberg looked dynamite, then tailed off a bit, then Rosales came on and was spectacular. When he is fit it seems like that his his spot in the lineup…
Good to see Jaqua back. Obviously not yet fully match fit to start, but the impression he made was immediate. He is and has been exactly what this teams needs as a target forward. Unfortunately OBW may be another example what we see in a lot of sports : a great athlete/physical specimen who just lacks ability, for lack of a better word. He just doesn’t seem like a very good soccer player to me.
In the end, 1 point through 3 matches is not good enough….
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 12:07 AM PDT reply actions
Maybe I'm a little naive...
…but OBW reminds me a bit of Zakuani a couple years ago. As someone who had never seen Zakuani play before he came to Seattle, and someon who had essentially never seen OBW before he came to Seattle, I see similarities. Zakuani used to have plenty of trouble finishing his chances, and he used to be pretty predictable. OBW seems to have difficulty finishing his chances, and isn’t always on the same page with his teammates, but like you said, physically he’s got tools.
He just doesn’t seem like a very good soccer player to me.
That’s how I felt about Sanna, but I feel like OBW has shown more ability to read the game. Last year, without Jaqua or Nkufo, it seemed as though not only were non-Montero forwards not finishing chances, but they weren’t even getting in positions to not finish chances. OBW seems, more often than not, to get himself into dangerous positions.
I was on the Sounders’ defensive side in the second half, so I couldn’t judge Jaqua all that well, but he seemed a bit rusty, of course that would naturally be my bais for any player coming off an injury, so I’m probably projecting there. I’m sure he will continue to get more of the playing time, and that’s good with me.
I think that maybe the best thing for OBW right now would be to get time in as a sub, where his speed is that much more effective, and start for the reserves, hopefully improving his finishing.
Maybe it was match fitness,
but I thought OBW blew Jaqua’s performance out of the water last night. Frankly, I see little difference between the danger Montero created with his shots and the danger OBW supplied, and yet we’re saying Montero was fantastic and OBW shouldn’t be on the field?
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Mar 26, 2011 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions
i agree
OBW did all but finish very well last night. I do think starting with the reserves and getting (hopefully) bunches of chances in front of the net will benefit him. Honestly, he might not figure out the finishing thing this season, but I think he will. And then I think he’s going to be very good.
Observations from attending tonight's match
I was a bit confused by tonight’s line up to start, but I now understand Scott starting due to the injury to Riley. I don’t have much of an issue with Ianni starting if Sigi was looking to get him some playing time and rest Hurtado.
I thought White had a great game. He was active, and had several great chances. If Hall wouldn’t have been Van der Saar, Casillas and Buffon rolled into one tonight, OBW would have scored at least once if not more. Friberg was very active and provided a lot of pace and service. When Rosales came in, he provided a spark as well.
I was not as impressed with Evans tonight. I don’t think he added a ton and the energy of the team improved after he was subbed off.
I thought Jaqua was fine for his first match of the year. He looked pretty strong winning balls, but missed an absolute golden chance in the 72nd minute when he couldn’t get the ball out from his feet. Not saying that OBW would have done better, but also not thinking that either is a clear first choice to start right now.
Tonight’s ref was interesting to say the least. The call on the foul on Friberg could have, and likely should have, been a red. Down to 10 men for 85+ minutes would definitely been a different sort of game. The yellow on Leo for simulation was also bad, though I haven’t seen a replay of it yet to judge how bad the call really was.
Finally, I’m going to retire my Sounder at Heart scarf for now. We were 225+ minutes scoreless while I was wearing it. The switch to my 2010 STH scarf seems to have helped.
One point in three matches (and one goal in three matches) isn’t going to get it done. We need more.
I'll save you the trouble.
It was a terrible call. Every single person watching agreed.
Now with more lemon bars!
Actually, the goal came
after I tied my Sounder at Heart scarf on slightly tighter. So you’re welcome.
Nos Audietis
We should coordinate
That way, we’ll score more goals. And actually win a game!
Alvaro Fernandez being benched...
From Josh Mayers:
(Did Alvaro play his way out of the lineup or was it a matter of Evans being healthy and coming back in?)
Sigi: “Brad Evans being healthy and being able to get into the starting lineup and we thought Friberg has played well in the games he’s appeared so we felt that was our strongest midfield.”
In other words, yes. Alvaro played his way out of the lineup.
well our 3rd dp will be leaving
I think Fernandez is better then evans
by Sandra_R on Mar 26, 2011 5:44 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Of course he is!
Sigi is playing Fernandez out of position. He is a CM and Sigi is saying go play on the right. I am getting tired of his sub patterns and use of our DP. Evans is not better than Fernandez period.
by _zorbthegeek on Mar 26, 2011 8:01 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Fernandez has played wide most of his career
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 26, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm really tired of the OBW bashing
He’s put very dangerous shots on goal every match thusfar. Frankly, he’s been inches from finishing a number of them, and many have required very impressive saves to keep out of the net a. Has he blown a few chances? Sure, but name me a Sounder who hasn’t at this point. He’s creating dangerous chances for others as well, which is something we praised N’kufo for. Until he starts being outperformed by the rest of the team we’d be wise to share the blame around.
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Mar 26, 2011 9:00 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
its pretty simple, actually
if this team was scoring, there would be no OBW bashing…
And don’t feel as if I am bashing him at all, from my perspective Jaqua is just a better target forward for this team…
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
I think my frustration was more aimed at others
Mostly those who think Sigi is a “crap coach”. Maybe I missed it somewhere, but what exactly do you see Jaqua bringing that OBW does not? From my perspective last night OBW was by far the more dangerous and active player. I didn’t see Jaqua being man-marked, and I remember OBW drawing double teams at times. As to Jaqua making more dangerous runs, I guess I’m looking less for a target man to make dangerous runs and more to be available for crosses.
I think if Rosales sees more of the field OBW is a better option as he tends to play higher. If not, Jaqua would be the better option for link up play.
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
by Seattle Coug on Mar 26, 2011 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
OBW is the exact kind of player we need up top,
He is physical, and not going to be pushed around in the box. He is extremely fast which is huge for a striker. And If your that upset with his finishing look at all the other players on this year’s team who are missing their chances. Montero has the most shots on the team and only has one goal. Nobody gets on him because he can be fantastic. OBW has the same ability to be fantastic so if your going to give our other scorers, Montero, Zakuani, than give OBW the same slack.
Not only that,
but you can’t get upset at him for not finishing his header that Hall made a TREMENDOUS save on or the beautiful flick to free Montero for a shot.
by twimberly23 on Mar 26, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
disagree
Jaqua is the exact kind of player we need up top
...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!
by malcontentjake on Mar 26, 2011 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
He provides a similar physical presence however
has much more speed and foot skills. You don’t need to prove how valuable Jaqua is to this team because if Sounder’s fans haven’t figured that out yet, they are not paying close enough attention. OBW is the more dangerous forward and should start most of the time, with Jaqua starting games where he could use a breather and coming off the bench as a sub. Jaqua is going to get his minutes.
by twimberly23 on Mar 26, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
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