Seattle Sounders Hold Off New England Revolution Win 2-1
by Dave Clark on Jun 26, 2011 5:08 PM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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PrintThe Seattle Sounders beat the New England Revolution on Sunday through quality players that at one point were considered merely depth, but are now clearly depth in quality. Tyson Wahl, who just a few short weeks ago expected to not be the player taking free kicks and so did not expect to get a goal, just mere assists. In the 34th minute he stood above the ball and delivered another sublime free kick, perfectly placed and unable to be saved to draw the Sounders level.
Less than ten minutes later Roger Levesque tapped the ball over in the box to a running Alvaro Fernandez who powered it into goal. Levesque's spot start came after a solid performance against New York Red Bulls last week, but today we saw him winning headers and harassing keepers. Three months ago he was a mere afterthought by most fans when thinking about MLS play. He is now responsible for two wins within a week.
This is what quality depth does. It grinds out points at the hardest times and succeeds during others. On a quality Sunday afternoon, several non-regulars stepped up, and though they played one of the weakest teams in the League they won. Servando Carrasco did a fair, if not better job, against two amazing midfielders. Lamar Neagle created some chances and Patrick Ianni stepped up in an early replacement for the injured Jeff Parke.
For all the troubles that Sigi Schmid's men have had, a short run of form should be as valid an indication of his ability as those short runs of trouble. His lineup choices are no longer formulaic, but instead based on the health of the club, the short team needs in multiple tournaments, form of specific players and based on tactical advantages that Seattle should have. Four wins in the last six, two against quality opponents have pushed Seattle into a clear striking distance of the Supporters Shield. They are 4th by PPM, 4th by Goals Against Per Match, 6th by Goals For per, and 3rd by Goal Differential.
Welcome to the team you wanted.
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Two thoughts
Is it just me or is Mauro Rosales the player the Sounders were hoping Freddie Ljunberg would be for this club?
Also, would it be sacrilege to compare Tyson Eagle to Leighton Baines?
by James Bray on Jun 26, 2011 5:17 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Edit
Sorry, meant Wahl, not Eagle. Stupid autocorrect on my cellphone.
by James Bray on Jun 26, 2011 5:18 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Tyson Eagle
swoops down on opposing right wings and pecks their eyes out.
by Greg Pirkl Lives on Jun 26, 2011 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Rosales has been a great discovery
He may go down a bit easy, but he’s willing to get a bit phsyical and not be the featured man on offense. He is the ideal support player.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
and seems like he's getting better
just more comfortable with the league’s style and with the players around him.
I seem to recall some guy ripping Rosales
When the signing was announced, this guy went on Soccer By Ices and MLS-Rumors and said he was worthless because he failed a physical. I think it was Josh Mayers who ask him about it and he said it wasn’t a failed physical, but the club didn’t have enough money to pay him. Thank god we have Mauro.
by James Bray on Jun 26, 2011 6:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
In that they are both professional soccer players wo play left back, no
Otherwise, yes.
by Graham MacAree on Jun 26, 2011 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Let me be more specific
Wahl’s crosses and set piece delivery remind me of Baines. He’ll never be as good defensively as Baines, nor score as many goals. I think that much is obvious. Funny comment though.
by James Bray on Jun 26, 2011 6:22 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
armband
Mauro is a field general out there. With Kasey retiring, he should have the captain’s band next season. He leads by example. Love the guy!
by arjaylee54 on Jun 26, 2011 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Alonso is Spanish for Captain
To me that’s a no brainer. When Kasey retires Ozzie gets the armband.
Section 120, Row G, Seat 13
by _zorbthegeek on Jun 26, 2011 6:49 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Captn
It obviously isn’t my decision. Alonso would also be a good one. I lean toward Mauro because of his age, and his experience outside the MLS. Can’t wait to see him in CCL action.
Captain shouldn't necessariliy be the best player
…but the person who leads on the pitch. As good as Alonso is, he isn’t a leader – lets be fair.
Rosales would be an appropriate wearer of the armband.
by ABTsportsline on Jun 27, 2011 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ljungberg was good for this club
yes it all fell apart, but he made us players on the world market. Freddie was about winning every minute and had unrealistic expectations about what he could marshall a squad of inexperienced/cast-offs to do. We hired a Napoleaon and we got what we wanted, does anyone really think if they could go back in time and sign somebody else that it would have been better for the development of this franchise?
Club World Cup Champions 2012
by seattle dude on Jun 27, 2011 2:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, there are other players who could have made bigger differences
See – Henry, Thierry for one example
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
missed the point
point being, there are players out there that “fit” better.
by ABTsportsline on Jun 27, 2011 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions
But the "better fit" tag...
comes with hindsight and minimizes the significant contribution he did make in the first year
"Kia Kaha" -Live strong
by Ravengreen on Jun 27, 2011 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
No one is denying that Ljungberg brought a lot the first year...
Clarke just said there were other players who could have made bigger differences. I don’t know how you can challenge that?
by ABTsportsline on Jun 27, 2011 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions
If you're ignoring availability and willingness to play in Seattle at the time,
then that strikes me as wholesomely different — and useless — point about who the best player in the world is. Could Thierry Henry have been a better fit? Sure. So would Messi have.
At the time there were connections to Henry
and other players.
Ljungberg was a good get. But he wasn’t the best possible.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jun 27, 2011 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Carassco makes me nervous.
I thought for sure we were going to see him sent off for a 2nd caution with his persistent rough challenges after earning his first caution.
-Ben R.
by reesebw on Jun 26, 2011 5:31 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Now, the hard part...
This has been a great six-game run, even with the VAN draw. These last six put us in position.
The next six may just show us where the Sounders will finish up. Only one league game at home (Rapids) until Chivas on Aug. 14. Sounders in LA, PDX, HOU and KC before that.
4-0-2 from now though Aug. 14 may be too much to hope for. But, OBW is going to be back. On July 23, we have nothing to do but relax. Guys are stepping up. This is the time/circumstance when great teams emerge.
Galaxy will almost certainly be using their 3rd keeper
There will be a DP or other high level talent added as well.
at Portland may be tough, but only that and Galaxy will be.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I think you under estimate KC at your peril
I think they are hitting form right now.
And have little reason to believe they will maintain that form
a month later. They won’t be adding talent like Seattle is.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
KC played 12 games away so far,
so I would not think that the first 15 games are a realistic indicator how good or how bad KC is at this time. At home, they have two wins and one scoreless tie. Out of next 13 games, they are playing 11 at home. I know they will not win all of these, but even if they win 6,7 games in that stretch, they will be a serious contender for playoffs in the eastern conference.
i always assume
any road game is a tough game. I think we have the side to win what’s coming up. But I do think this stretch is the one where we find out if we’re the top tier.
/pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease
Bingo
All road games are tough games in MLS. Some more difficult than others, but I’d rather play a good team at home than a poor team away, except in the most extreme circumstances, and I think that SKC will be in the hunt for a playoff spot late in the season.
If they win 6 games in that stretch
They will catchup to where Seattle is now.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I don't expect SKC to keep it up
I think they’re just starting to catch teams sleeping on them. Outside of the FCD victory, none have been especially “convincing”. They desperately need a talent infusion to keep pace.
by ABTsportsline on Jun 27, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
The thing I love about him
is that I feel like he is constantly asking himself, “What can I do to make this team better?” Our past DPs seem to focus on how the team can make them play better as individuals.
Honestly, even factoring in the low money involved, I think Mauro's been a better signing than most DPs.
I hope the Sounders can keep him around for a few years.
I don't want to alarm you guys but I think that there is a chance that the Seattle Sounders are the greatest football team of all time.
by Robert on Jun 26, 2011 6:24 PM PDT reply actions 9 recs
So you're telling me there's a chance?
"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."
Ladies and Gentlemen, John Harkes.
It feels like its time for the coronation of the Prince.
This team is just a breath away from true excellence. I cant wait for July 15th
Is money the only thing keeping the Sounders from signing Prince?
by SeahawksPhan on Jun 26, 2011 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
My guess is money is less of a factor than his leaving Europe for MLS
by Aaron Campeau on Jun 26, 2011 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I would agree
But Saturdays game struck me as a big moment in the history of this little league.
San Jose’s busted ass college stadium packed to the rafters on a beautiful Saturday? How cool is that. It’s like a kid you never had grand expectations for maturing infront of your eyes
Just took the chance for a lame line
Although he might be my favorite amongst the candidates. I want the management to take a swing for the fences—this team just has that air of magic, the late goals, losing their best player and their most exciting acquisition.
It all feels right
Every player deserves credit for their performance today
This was one of these hard games after you win two in row. You suppose to win it, but you are missing bunch of players due to injuries, suspension, you go down in the first five minutes, Parke goes out … It seems everything goes Revolution’s way, but two quick goals changed everything. Great comeback and win today. Well done.
SoundersFC.com will have video
I will be liveblogging it.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Was curious about Nyassi's unmarking so I went to the tape
(Click for bigger)
With the exception of the four within the 6-yard, everyone in frame is marked up. You can just see Nyassi’s shadow middle up on the right. Maybe that’s on Neagle to cut down, but seems more like there should have been a rotation by everyone to only have 3 in the 6-yard?
If I was forced to place the blame on one person, it goes to Neagle.
Since he is the closest man to the shot, but he is forced to cover two guys in that situation, so it hard to blame him for not blocking the shot. He’s not even in that bard of a position, just bad luck the ball pinball’d in.
I blame overall tactics
If they only have 5 in the box, we shouldn’t have 9 outfielders in the box. Neagle was outnumbered out there. They created the mismatch, our playcaller whoever that may be didn’t read it.
Hmmm
but I think it would be more illustrative we had a still of a corner that NE didn’t score on for comparison. Then we could see if it is typical of the Sounders to have 3 men in the 6-yard. Just a thought.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. We are all around you, there is no escape.
Lamar Neagle
Just wanted to give Neagle some props. I think he had a really good game. He’s not going to be a regular starter but he seems to be turning into a good backup outside mid. His path to this point is a great story.
"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."
by DarthGreedo on Jun 26, 2011 9:05 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I would disagree with him having a good game
It’s not that he’s not good — he has skill — it’s just that his field awareness and vision are incredibly terrible right now.
I completely agree Greedo.
He’s becoming a serviceable backup, with more playing time his field awareness should improve and he might become a serviceable starter for a bottom to mid-tier MLS team.
Neagle's game was only notable for me
in that he didn’t make any huge blunders that I saw. Which I suppose is the minimum expectation for a back-up, but he certainly didn’t add anything either.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. We are all around you, there is no escape.
by 108Ultra on Jun 27, 2011 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Neagle helped keep their back line honest
His pace down the wings to chase the long balls kept the NE back line pretty shallow a lot of the match.
He also was much better on possession than last match, stealing a few balls and (unlike last match) managed to keep possession and help the attack move upfield. For a guy who started his 3rd(?) match, he did quite well.
by ABTsportsline on Jun 27, 2011 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Not what I saw
But reasonable people can disagree.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. We are all around you, there is no escape.
I'm neutral on Neagle for the most part
I’ll say one thing about him, though. Every time he’s on the ball and runs at a defender in the final third, I think to myself that I practically haven’t seen anyone on the team do that since Zakuani went down. Rosales maybe a little, but you never get the impression that he’s really trying to dribble around his man—usually he’s looking to gain a bit of space and make a pass. Friberg and Flaco are usually looking to find space with short combination passing. Neagle’s not going to be as good as Zak, but if he continues to improve, I could see him as sort of a Zak lite.
A better way to say what I was trying to...
Few players on our team seem to not be afraid to run at defenders or take shots from outside the box. Very few have both of these qualities, and Neagle is one of them.
He’s not a world-beater, but he’s a threat in that he brings this – and it’s something the opposing team has to account for. Sometimes, that is enough.
by ABTsportsline on Jun 27, 2011 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions
That is kind of what impressed me
Neagle wasn’t supposed to offer anything to the team really but he showed in this game that he can come in and be an adequate backup when the team is in a pinch. He didn’t screw up royally and blow the game for the team and he did offer enough going forward to make is so the other team couldn’t ignore him.
He’s not a brillant future MVP type player, but I thought he did well for a guy only playing because of a huge amount of injuries to our midfield.
"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."
by DarthGreedo on Jun 27, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
on Thursday they had a sign in support, I think
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 26, 2011 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
They had it today, too
It was just on the west side of the main sign this time instead of the east like Thursday.
The Next Generation of the KC
by s0merand0mdude on Jun 26, 2011 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions
June
11 points in 5 games. As far as what we wanted the Sounders to accomplish this month, I think they achieved their goal. Sure the draw with Chicago was lackluster and the Whitecaps draw was in part to Hassli’s goal of the year, but we also stole 2 points in the Toronto game with Fredy’s free kick.
We just need to close out the month with a win on Tuesday and we can call it a great month.
Fan of: Cardinals, Blues, Sounders, Yellow Jackets, Wolverines, Rams, and Blazers.
Sounders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Catching up with everything late after another WIN feels good. If you are looking at this thread Monday I guess I get to be the first to guess the starters for the Open Pumas match! OK, here goes-{and it’s probably going to better than the SAH con census for NE, Evans and Friberg? no defence in the mids? wow!} Boss, Tetteh, Gonzales, Scott, Graham, Alonso, Noonan©, Seamon, Montano, Fucito and Jaqua. Seamon 2 assists, Noonan 1 assist 1 goal, Jaqua 1 assist 2 goals, Montano 1 goal, Fucito 1 goal unassisted! Go Seattle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Club World Cup Champions 2012
think you'd be surprised
at how close it was to evans and friberg in the middle.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 27, 2011 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions
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