Seattle Sounders Vs. Kitsap Pumas: Mike Fucito Saves The Day
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 29, 2011 12:07 AM PDT
in Sounders: US Open Cup
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The Seattle Sounders first made their mark on the U.S. Open Cup as a USL team by pulling some rather impressive upsets over MLS teams. As a MLS team, they have, of course, made their mark by becoming the first MLS team to ever repeat as champions.
On Tuesday night, they almost made a mark in an entirely different way. By all rights, the Sounders very easily could have become the first MLS team to fall to a PDL side in about a decade. But the Pumas failed to put away their chances, while the Sounders converted just enough of theirs and won 2-1 in front of 3,811 fans at Starfire Sports Complex. The Sounders will now face the LA Galaxy, who beat the LA Blues 2-1 on Tuesday, at Starfire on either July 12 or 13 in the Open Cup quarterfinals.
If not for Mike Fucito, it's scary to think what might have been. Fucito scored both the Sounders' goals and nearly had a third. It wasn't that the Sounders weren't creating chances -- the outshot the Pumas 25-7 -- but they weren't doing much with them in the first half, and Bryan Meredith turned in a particularly impressive performance in the second half, robbing Nate Jaqua at least twice.
"I always like coming out and playing in this atmosphere, it's so cool," said Fucito, who was serenaded by ECS to the tune of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend." "They're a pretty good team. We knew they were going to come out with a lot of energy and I thought it was a pretty good game. Good for other guys to get some time and show well. It was nice to finally score some goals."
Aside from Fucito, though, it was a pretty uneven performance from the Sounders. The defense allowed far too many chances to the Pumas, who came achingly close to taking the lead early and had a couple good chances to equalize late in the match. Their one score came on a well taken goal in the 71st minute from former MLS No. 1 overall draft pick Nikolas Besagno. The Sounders midfield did a good job of maintaing possession throughout, and Osvaldo Alonso was downright dominant in the middle, but the outside mids created struggled in the offensive third.
This was not a game that will go down in Sounders lore, but that's probably a good thing. The Sounders needed to beat the Pumas and survive another day, and that's just what they did. Bring on the Galaxy.
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9 Straight
I heard that we’re the first MLS team to win 9 straight open cup games. I suppose it’s 11 if you count the two qualifiers in 09.
It has to do with every level having different qualifying standards
while MLS has a separate round, the PDL uses league standings.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Great game to cover
It was a fun atmosphere and Kitsap had two great chances at the equalizer.
Shoutout to Taylor Graham and Nate Jaqua who gave their jerseys to the Pumas’ security guy and his daughter, respectively. That was really cool of them.
Well, capacity is like 3500
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 29, 2011 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Hm, that must include a crapload of SRO
The seats were packed, and it’s not unlike a professional organization to underreport tickets sales and this was definitely a sellout as they were turning people away at the gate.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 29, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Ya, well my thinking was based off of wikis 4500 seats
and them being completely full, people standing in the grass, beer garden and that people were being turned away etc etc, it seemed like more to me
A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)
by kelliott1527 on Jun 29, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I caught the last 20 minutes or so...
I was pretty happy with how everyone was going. There seemed to be a few more passes that seemed to just float and get no where. But I’d chalk that up to lack of chemistry and tired legs… A win is a win :)
Unofficial Sounder Fan Club President - South Dakota Division
Biggest problem I saw
was how slow Taylor Graham was. Hate to knock the big guy, but he was almost victimized a few times.
by Derrick Moyer on Jun 29, 2011 7:19 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
At the end of the first half
He was caught looking the wrong way while the puma with the ball was only about a step behind him on the 18 heading torwards goal. It was scary!
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
Now do we have to call him
Mike Few-cito?
by LoiteringWithIntent on Jun 29, 2011 7:24 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
If Jaqua couldn't score on his myriad chances yesterday
I have the feeling he has scored his last goal for us. I love his hustle, but can you try putting it somewhere other than directly on the keeper?
That really diminishes the amazing game Meredith had
It wasn’t all chest saves for Bryan
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Who was more impressive?
Meredith or Boss?
Do you see where I’m going with this? ;)
by ABTsportsline on Jun 29, 2011 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
makes me think
if meredith was cut and ford chosen, how good is he gonna be? (ford that is)
A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)
by kelliott1527 on Jun 29, 2011 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
My impression was that they were functionally equivalent
each has a little different skill set but both are very good. The cut was probably something nitpicky that decided it.
ya, but it still makes me excited
meredith was a beast last night
A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)
by kelliott1527 on Jun 29, 2011 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember 3 awesome saves
from meridith denying Jaqua. I am not a huge jaqua fan but he got the shaft yesterday in goals. At least 1 of them should have gone in!
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
yea, Meredith's stock went up
as for Jaqua, it seemed like Scott shut him down pretty well. I really don’t see him as a starter for us anymore. He won his fair share of headers but it’s hard to put much stock in that when he’s the tallest player on the field.
But it’s funny how differently people can see a game, and how people tend to single out a player to pick on. Jaqua is mine. When people call Montero lazy or question his heart I have to wonder what game they are watching.
by butterGlory on Jun 29, 2011 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Very entertaining game
Couple quick thoughts I had:
- I can see why Kitsap are at the top of the PDL – they are good
- Estrada looks like he’s hanging by a thread to even be in USOC games. He did not look good at all
- Montano had some fancy footwork, and a nice drive into the box later in the game. He seemed lost otherwise
- Seamon played decently
- Graham is showing his age beyond his years. Here’s a guy who is the same age as Levesque, but maybe half the speed. Graham’s been one of my favorites for years, but his days might be coming to an end with any more performances like last night
- I still don’t trust Boss
- I think this game really showed kind of the new role Jaqua plays. Making room, picking up an assist for Fucito… I think maybe the era of Jaqua’s double digit scoring may be over, and a new era of assists is starting?
The kid from Ghana had an awful game
by B-Lot tailgater on Jun 29, 2011 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes
Lots of wayward passes is what I noticed the most. I’m not as excited about him as others seem to be.
by chrisperry1983 on Jun 29, 2011 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Caught offside a few times when he really shouldn’t and fell out of shape playing people onside on defense once as well.
He did successfully dribble the ball out of the back every time I can remember instead of uselessly lobbing it up field like Wahl, if he just had a few better ideas about what to do with the ball he could see first team experience next year.
I have yet to hear anyone refer to Zakuani as "The kid from England"
It’s just odd is all.
Ok, but
I’m still wondering who B-Lot’s referring to. If not Tetteh, who is the Ghanian?
by ABTsportsline on Jun 29, 2011 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I was talking about Tetteh
He was wearing the Ghana armband during the game. I couldn’t recall his name when I made the first post.
by B-Lot tailgater on Jun 30, 2011 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
and was wearing
a ghanian arm band.
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
he looked absolutely awful
I wish it weren’t so, but he should not be on the field against almost anyone right now regardless of the reason.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 29, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Yep
He is a far cry from what he was even just a year ago. I hope it’s just fitness and he can improve, but man…it was painful to watch him get absolutely trounced on speed.
by chrisperry1983 on Jun 29, 2011 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
The last time Graham looked "good"
was what, 2007/8? Love the guy being on the team for nostalgia and the positive attitude he brings, but he’s not really serviceable for CCL/Open Cup matches. Surely we can do better. Zach Scott is a better 4th CB. Use Graham’s roster spot for better (any?) RB depth?
by ABTsportsline on Jun 30, 2011 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions
I think Boss doesn't trust Boss.
He has a sort of hesitancy in the box, the exact opposite of Keller’s commanding presence.
by Philip Mueller on Jun 29, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
There's a reason
Older keeper’s thrive: experience.
Boss has as much upside as any keeper I’ve seen in a long while- he just needs to either realize it sooner than later, or do it somewhere else.
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Jun 29, 2011 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes!
I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing or what, but man. I know he’s capable of playing incredibly. I’ve seen him do it before. I just do not understand the shakiness, or perceived shakiness.
by chrisperry1983 on Jun 29, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
How much game time has he gotten the last few years?
Going by his wikipedia page, he’s had 44 games with his clubs and Puerto Rico since 2003. In comparison, Ford has 106 starts between NCAA and PDL since 2007. I know that practice matters, and the wiki stats don’t include reserve games (and maybe excludes CCL games?), but even giving Boss a few of those, it just seems that for a keeper to really get that confidence and experience, he needs more regular game time.
Wikipedia stats
Are only for MLS regular season matches.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 29, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
He's a regular in the reserve games
I haven’t been able to make it to any so I don’t know how he’s been playing…maybe Dave or Jeremiah can vouch for him.
by chrisperry1983 on Jun 29, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
And the reserve league was only re-instituted this year
So that adds a whole six games to his total. I just think a keeper could use 20-30 games a year against different opponents giving him different looks, and Boss has seemingly fallen well short of that for some time now.
He had a career game against LA at Starfire
But outside of that, it’s been status quo for him.
Keeper definitely a position of need for us going forward.
by ABTsportsline on Jun 29, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
If that was the only game I'd have seen Boss in
I’d love him. He was great vs LA’s reserves.
Boss makes great saves
He did make some great saves against the LA Reserves. But he also has at least 1-2 really poor decisions per game that could lead to a goal. IMHO, it’s better to be a consistently good decision maker than a good shot stopper (see also Bouna Condoul). That’s been my problem with Boss since I started watching him last year in Open Cup, CCL and friendly games.
It’s another reason why I wanted the team to keep Meredith over Ford. Ford has the same high ceiling and penchant for big saves, but some awful decision making and has really poor distribution from what I’ve seen during his college years. Seattle is assuming they can improve his decision making and distribution. We’ll see.
All told I’d much rather have Meredith on the roster than either Ford or Boss. I think he just “gets” the game and his role as a GK much better than either Ford or Boss. He also has the athleticism to succeed in MLS even isn’t quite as athletic as Ford or as big as Boss.
by Dizzo on Jun 29, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ford is a long-term project, though
I think as a long-term project, it’s okay to go with athleticism over decision-making, because the decision-making is more likely to improve over time than the athleticism. But for Boss, as a backup in the here and now, I think I’d rather have the solid decision-making, but it seems hard to say which is really best.
Given how slow Graham is
I’m wondering why there was talk about possibly trading one of our CBs. We only have depth there because we have three quality players. Trading one away would give us very poor depth in the back.
As it stands I’d like to find someone more effective than Graham to be the fourth guy (if we’re assuming Scott is backing up RB instead of CB, that is).
by ABTsportsline on Jun 29, 2011 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions
I think Scott just recently played CB in a pinch
and did OK. Certainly better than Graham. But still not really reliable depth, especially with regular season, USOC, a friendly, and CCL going on.
by chrisperry1983 on Jun 29, 2011 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Emphasis on desperate situation
I don’t think he should be relied upon as depth. I think we need to have one good quality CB waiting in the wings, which right now seems to be Ianni. I actually love our CB situation right now, where Sigi seems to kinda rotate between Hurtado, Parke, and Ianni. I assume it’s a resting issue, especially with these recent stretches of 3 games in 7-8 days.
A lot of people here seem to think Tetteh is the answer for a lot of these depth issues at LM, LB, and CB, but I sure didn’t see it last night.
by chrisperry1983 on Jun 29, 2011 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Tetteh to me
seems in the same kind of situation as Montano. I think Tetteh did a pretty good job of dribbling around players but made a bad decision in the end that turns the ball over. He just needs more time.
Leo looked decent as a CB
but seemed really wayward when they moved him out to LB. Sigi was screaming at him to stay home, then had to get his attention through Graham. Once the message was conveyed, Leo promptly made a run up the middle and was calling for it at the top of the 18. Alonso had to drop back and fill the space where Leo was. I am not surprised Wahl is starting over Leo if he is trying to play midfield while we’re up 2-0 (this was just before the Pumas scored).
center back is where slow fullbacks go to die
Not surprised Leo is more effective in the middle. Good way to continue to utilize technically good players who lose a step of speed when they get older.
Of course you also wonder why the FO might think a 33 year-old – that has played CB most of his career – could be an effective RB (speaking of Neill here).
by ABTsportsline on Jun 29, 2011 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
MLS Rumors reporting
that Sounders have reached an agreement with Australian defender Lucas Neil.
by fcjake on Jun 29, 2011 10:08 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I just don't get it
Why do we need another CB? Especially an old one?
by chrisperry1983 on Jun 29, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
They've been wrong before
And I hope they’re wrong now
by Dizzo on Jun 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Meh.
I’m fine with it as long as they’re not spending DP money. Why so down on the notion of upgrading the backline? It’s looked touch and go many times this season.
Why is a 33 yeard old going to be an upgrade?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
CBs are often a bit older
Also, captain of his national team, several years playing topflight European soccer…
If the Sounders were at the bottom of the table in goals allowed and didn’t look disjointed in the back so many times this season, I’d be a bit more hesitant.
Also, I’m not seeing any indications that this would be a DP deal.
Just because it isn't a DP deal doesn't mean it's good
Sounders defense has been pretty good this season compared to everyone else in MLS.
He’s redundant at CB since we have 3 very good CB already under 30. Unless we are getting rid of one which is something the FO should not do, hopefully.
If he’s brought in as a RB he can’t be depth behind Riley because that just doesn’t make any sense at his age and being an international, so he has to be displacing him. We need a young guy to fill the spot when Riley is gone. I highly doubt Neill will be an upgrade from Riley for a couple year at his age.
by majora999 on Jun 29, 2011 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You're right
If the Sounders brought him in, they’d probably move Ianni or Leo, who haven’t been playing much.
That would be a mistake
moving a younger, cheaper, serviceable guy to sign a more expensive defender who you might get one or two years out of.
by ABTsportsline on Jun 29, 2011 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
That's fine
If he helps the Sounders win the cup in the near term. Ianni and Leo are replacement-level players at their position and they both make about 100k a year. I trust Henderson could find someone of like quality for cheaper—maybe even by next season.
Ianni would be a starter on over half the league
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jun 29, 2011 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
CBs are often a bit older, but 33 is still past peak
So this would be getting a player whose skill is clearly diminishing, which is clear because he left a topflight Euro league for the second tier and went a team that had a bad season there.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jun 29, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn't say 33 is patently old for MLS
Also, Galatasaray were in the Europa league last year.
Who do you sign to play the position in 2012
When Neill is 34 and Ianni (or whomever was traded/sold) is no longer on the team?
by ABTsportsline on Jun 29, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know...
there are a lot of players in the world and I think the Sounders’ scouting department can find them. I think you’re overvaluing Leo and Ianni.
I didn't say it was patently old
but at 33 you are clearly getting a guy on the downside of his career.
Galatasary were in Europa because of their League performance the year before. They weren’t as good this season.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
With that said, they're still a huge club in Turkey.
I mean, Liverpool didn’t qualify for Europe this year either.
by Aaron Campeau on Jun 29, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
But a huge club in a second tier league (still better than MLS)
So in 08 he was a starter on a bad EPL team
In 09 he was a back on a mid-table EPL team
in 10/11 he was a starter on a decent Turkish team
His slide is clear and distinct.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jun 29, 2011 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, not interested at all in Neil
And I’m actually an Aussie citizen and try to catch the Socceroos whenever they’re on the TV. I honestly don’t think he’s better than Parke or Hurtado.
by Dizzo on Jun 29, 2011 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cheers to Arlo!
For bringing his ‘A’ game to a match that didn’t always feature the best quality. I loved that he had the balls to compare the US Open Cup to the FA.
And that ’s PEW-mas, not POO-mas!!
What I wish the Americans who broadcast soccer would realize...
is that it’s not the accent that makes us like him. It’s that he’s an actual professional, who researches the games he’s calling (whether it’s league, cup, continental, etc), and doesn’t just throw random stuff out there just for the sake of saying it. Having that to build on, instead of lazily saying the same talking points all freaking game (think watching a Husky basketball game the last three years and hearing about how Isaiah Thomas’ dad lost a bet three times a game, every game), and then just calling the game as it happens, instead of trying to build some catch phrase (remember Max Bretos and “YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH”?) or trying to fit some mold makes him as good as he is.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that for most semi-educated fans of the game, if you watch a game called by American commentators, there is a good chance you will finish the game with a legitimate belief that you know more about it than the people paid to comment on it; that should not be the case. With Arlo, it never is.
I hope he becomes the Sounders’ Dave Niehaus, because ESPN or FSC would be smart to try and tempt him with a pay rise and being the voice of American soccer as a whole.
I miss Max Bretos
He may have been lame and cheesy at times, but he was excited by the game going on and he did the research we all want these people to do. His call of Leveques goal in the Open Cup final vs DC is one of my favorite Goal calls ever.
"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."
I thought FSC did an amazing thing
by having Arlo call the game they had the Sounders on there for… can’t remember which one that was now.
by majora999 on Jun 29, 2011 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Vancouver
I asked him about it and he made it sound like it was kinda a no brainer. Their top two guys were unavailable. Arlo was the local guy and only on radio duty anyway. But it was cool.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 29, 2011 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed 100%
He is the best sportscaster I know of any sport because I really do feel like he makes me smarter during the games I listen to him. Others make me stupider!
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
by lysander on Jun 29, 2011 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Lets hope the Sounders lock him up!
It may be naive, but I would hope that Arlo would stay with the Sounders out of loyalty, as long as they could match other salary offers from the US based networks.
He has taken my appreciation of the game to another level! And think about how hard it is to follow a Seattle broadcasting legend like Kevin Calabro. In hindsight, KC didn’t know the game, but I would tune in for any game he called. KC is calling a game of lawn darts? I’m in!!
Arlo is the class of the league. One of the most brilliant signings the Sounders made, without a doubt.
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