Major Link Soccer - Montero for the Win Edition

Absolutely great game yesterday.  I was watching the game with a couple of friends who don't follow the Sounders, or sports in general, even they got caught up in the drama in the 2nd half.  You don't have to be a soccer fan to appreciate the sublime beauty of the Fredy Montero free kick (check out the highlights here).  It's up for goal of the week although there's some stiff competition especially from David Beckham's crazy curving corner kick.   Montero also picked up Ives' player-of-the-week honors.  Right now it's all happy times and celebrations in Sounders land.  You can see photos of the match here.

Meanwhile, Portland Timbers coach John Spencer is running out of ways to explain his team's eight game win-less streak.  Portland will need to seriously look at adding some more defensive help during the transfer window.

USWNT Fight for the Win: The Seattle Sounders game wasn't the only nail-bitter this weekend.  The US women's national team fought through a tough 120 minute slog, most of which they played a woman down, to defeat Brazil on penalty kicks.  In the end it was superior conditioning, teamwork and tenacity that kept them going through the end.  It was simply one of the most exciting national team games I've seen.  The fact that the win came exactly 12 years to the day that Brandi Chastain's famous penalty kick winner makes it even more exciting. 

More links after the jump:

Hurtado Suffers Knee Injury: The dark side to the great victory yesterday was the knee injury suffered by center-back Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.  Hurtado immediately called for a sub after colliding with Timbers midfielder Diego Chara.  On the positive side he was able to walk under his own power to the bench and was seen walking unaided in the locker room after the game.  However, considering he recently recovered from a season-ending ACL in 2010, any kind of injury to his knees are a huge concern.  Hurtado will undergo further tests this week.

Keller Named to All-Star XI: Goalkeeper Kasey Keller was been named to the 2011 AT&T All-Star First XI this weekend.  He's the only Seattle Sounder to be named to the first XI leaving out other worthy contenders such as Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Fredy Montero.  I didn't agree with much either Alexi Lalas or John Harkes said during the game yesterday, but I will agree with both of them, and Steve Davis that Alonso should have been on that first XI.

Sounders Honor Mark Peterson: You might have noticed the black armbands yesterday for Sounders legend Mark Peterson who recently passed.  Peterson, then just a teenage striker from Tacoma, joined the NASL Sounders in 1979, and scored 48 goals in his 99 appearances.  He even chose to stay a Sounders when the USSF placed the national team as a franchise in the NASL.  After retiring he would give back to his community while coaching at North Tacoma Soccer Club. 

Clive Charles: Seattle players Kasey Keller and Nate Jaqua also had former University of Portland coach Clive Charles on their mind when they traveled to Jeld-Wen field.  The former defender for the Portland Timbers was an outstanding coach who helped molded numerous stars as a coach for the University of Portland, the US U-23 national team and as an assistant on the US senior team.

Holden Coming Back Strong: USMNT midfielder Stuart Holden has had more than his fair share of season ending injuries.  The latest is a broken bone in his left leg that required surgery and the midfielder missing the Gold Cup for team USA.  Still, the midfielder is in good spirits as he works through the long rehab and looks forward to resuming his career at the Bolton Wanderers.

Mexico Win U-17 World Cup: Mexico added another cup to their collection for the year with a 2-0 win over Uruguay in the U-17 World Cup.  The Mexican team had home court advantage for the tournament and played in front of a packed Aztec Stadium in Mexico City for the final.  Mexico also won the U-17 world title in 2005.