Sounders Saturday Off - MLS still active, Open Thread

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 12:01 PM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

Today (Sunday) is the Copa America Final between Uruguay and Paraguay. This should be on KUNS (a Univision station available on broadcast or cable).

Just another reminder - there is no game this weekend. It has been rescheduled. So while the Seattle Sounders team trains and prepares for the many thousand mile trip from SeaTac to Panama to Houston to SeaTac in just a week there are still a few games this weekend.

Jeremiah has previewed each MLS v MLS match over at SBNation.com.

Here's your rooting interests;

If you want the Supporters Shield than New York Red Bulls need to beat FC Dallas. For pure playoff seeding a draw is best.
Columbus Crew over Portland Timbers - this pushes the Timbers further down, and the Crew aren't going to get the #1 Wild Card which is the only way they'd compete with Seattle.
Toronto FC over Sporting KC - the Sporks could actually threaten that #1 Wild Card.
New England Revolution over Colorado Rapids - pushing Western Conference teams down is good.
For the Shield you want the San Jose Earthquakes. For pure playoffs you want a draw between they and Real Salt Lake.
The Houston Dynamo over Chivas USA won't finish Chivas off, but it will certainly damage their chances.

There are of course even more friendlies.

If you are following the games today, thi is your open thread

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My only difference is

I can’t root for Houston, someone else can finish Chivas off.

by hindsight on Jul 23, 2011 12:12 PM PDT reply actions

I hate that RSL has all these games in hand

I understand why they had a lighter early schedule, and don’t dispute it. It’s more that, now, it really shows the challenge we have with some of the draws we’ve had.

by jayw913 on Jul 23, 2011 12:47 PM PDT reply actions

I'm not worried

We’re even on ppg and they have like 2/3rds of their remaining games on the road. RSL will be the team that misses out on the west bye, I think.

by Tohoya on Jul 24, 2011 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions

OMG the Fire are better than the Sounders!!!!!!

They scored against Manchester United.

Or not. One game tends to mean nothing. One friendly still means less.

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 2:31 PM PDT reply actions

I sorta want the Fire to win this

So the next thing we can hear from Manchester supporters is how these are meaningless friendlies.

by bmvaughn on Jul 23, 2011 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Man United started a weaker side than either that played against Seattle

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 2:49 PM PDT reply actions

let alone the heat in chicago

which is not something they are used to in Manchester. our heat must have felt like home

by bmvaughn on Jul 23, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions

And United puts on a mixed 1st/2nd team

Good night

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 3:12 PM PDT reply actions

anyone know why rbny is wearing black armbands?

also I don’t speak much spanish, but the announcers said a bunch of stuff, then in english say “the ginga ninja” about mccarty, made me laugh

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 3:15 PM PDT reply actions

I know there were going to mark the tragedy in Norway

The current team has a ton of connections to Scandanavia

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

they were

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Confirmed

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

thanks dave

that’s what I thought, but didn’t know for sure

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Loving the NYRB fan protest today

Protesting how Hans Backe treated the USOC:
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/07/red-bulls-supporters-groups-planning-protest-tonight.html

by bmvaughn on Jul 23, 2011 3:32 PM PDT reply actions

Harkes loves every player on the Fire

and their coach

So tell me Harkes – WHY DO THEY SUCK?

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

MLS sucks

by bmvaughn on Jul 23, 2011 3:50 PM PDT reply actions

And the Fire are clealy better than the Sounders

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Right now in my mind

I’m absolutely rooting for best case scenarios for the shield. I’m expecting a deep run in the playoffs anyway, no matter what the seeding.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 4:19 PM PDT reply actions

Was it just me...

or did it look like ManU was actively trying to not embarrass Chicago? I only saw the last 30 min, but it looked like ManU were trying to dribble and pass all the way into the goal, and didn’t take a shot unless it was at point blank range.

by central_scrutinizer on Jul 23, 2011 4:20 PM PDT reply actions

if you had watched the whole game

I don’t think you would’ve thought that. I actually thought the Fire played quite well with them, especially when all of the Fire’s starters were in.

by theraccoun on Jul 23, 2011 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Dallas and NYRB draw

2-2. So Dallas is now equal on games played and only 1 point ahead in the standings. Good result for us. NYRB trying to beat Chicago to the tie record.

by Colin Johnson on Jul 23, 2011 5:10 PM PDT reply actions

Also Backe hates to sub

Only one sub and shortly after Richards was sent off. Pretty sad that he has no faith in his bench.

by Colin Johnson on Jul 23, 2011 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Loving the result

Although it’d have been nice for Dallas to lose, I was expecting them to win. It’s good to keep NY down too as much as possible.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Columbus 1 - Portland 0 Final

KC 4 – Toronto 2, 80th min
NE 1 – Colorado 0, 54th min

Toronto really are in tatters. The NE – Colorado game is going the right way, and although I want Columbus to stay down, a beating Portland is fine with me.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 7:19 PM PDT reply actions

Now just need SJ to do some work

Or, more realistically, RSL to screw the pooch.

by wyte_lightning on Jul 23, 2011 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Kyle Beckerman's hair is worse than Brian Wilson's beard.

And that’s saying a lot.

by wyte_lightning on Jul 23, 2011 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

RSL is finding new ways to miss the net

Ball swung in from the wing, header in the 6-yard box, heads it directly into the ground and it bounces over the crossbar. Oh, and it was basically an open goal. Wow.

by wyte_lightning on Jul 23, 2011 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Columbus in the East

and only pacing for 50 points after today.

They are of no concern

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Aside from an incredible run

I don’t expect them to compete for the shield. But there’s always a chance.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions

To add to that

Aside from an incredible run AND a total collapse of the top 4 west teams. Which now that I’m saying that out loud, you are right, no concern.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

you talk out loud as you type?

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think we have to worry about Columbus

The top WC seed in the east won’t beat our record, even if we do fall to a WC spots ourselves. At our current pace, we’d havve to fall like 0.5 ppg for that to happen.

Really the only teams’ games that matter for oour playoff seeding are RSL, Dallas, and LA.

by Tohoya on Jul 24, 2011 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Coloado 2 - NE 2 - Final

NE down a man after Tierney is sent off in the 64th. Kimura and Folan score after to make it 2-1, Shalrie Joseph equalizes in the 90th.

RSL 0 – SJ 0 – Half time

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 8:05 PM PDT reply actions

I am hoping for a 0-0 tie.

that would help my fantasy team mightily. I also would accept a 0-1 win for SJ for our supporters shield run. I think FCD and LAG are the greater threats though.

by agtk on Jul 23, 2011 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Salt Lake has a better offense and better defense then both

and has so many opportunities to earn points

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions

A bird in the hand

versus two in the bush. I don’t doubt that RSL will be right up there, but I would like them to show they can maintain that pace this season. Since losing to PDX back in April, RSL only has four wins, including wins over Toronto and Vancouver, though with a high quality road win over FCD.

In that same stretch, the Sounders have seven wins, including one over RSL, while only playing two more games. If RSL wins today, they’ll have played one less game and have two less wins over that stretch. They’re still a great team, but their PPM is buoyed by their 4 game win streak to start the season. If they can show they can consistently play at that level, I’ll respect them as probable favorites.

That second goal against SJ just now is a step in the right direction.

by agtk on Jul 23, 2011 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions

And third...

by agtk on Jul 23, 2011 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions

....fourth....

by agtk on Jul 23, 2011 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

A whole bunch of those opportunites to earn points are also on the road

They’re about even with Seattle on ppg, and and they have 10 of their last 15 on the road, AND have a bigger home/away delta than most teams.

Not saying that they’re not a threat, but RSL is clearly the most likely of the four contenders to miss the west bye.

by Tohoya on Jul 24, 2011 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm hoping for an SJ win

even though that would hurt my fantasy team :) I think we are underestimating RSL’s shield threat. I don’t remember what Dave/Jeremiah had put up with the projected points, but I know RSL is up there. This is only their 18th game I think? After tonight still 4 behind us, and at this moment in time, only 8 points behind us.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Programming note for anyone who's interested in seeing the Timbers lose :D

The POR-CLB match is on ROOT right now, 14th minute

by wyte_lightning on Jul 23, 2011 8:11 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

as of right now

rsl up 1-0 over sj, chivas over houston 1-0

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 8:30 PM PDT reply actions

make that 2-0 for chivas

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Sucks

SJ down a man.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions

yep...

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Well that was a nice dream that RSL might have to just settle for a point

If SJ can tie this, I’ll eat my metaphorical hat.

by wyte_lightning on Jul 23, 2011 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Philly fans are now saying how amazing their 2-1 loss to Real Madrid

and 1-0 win over Everton means that they are the best club in MLS

Oddly, they still don’t have a trophy, and couldn’t sell-out the Everton game.

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 8:39 PM PDT reply actions

theyre welcome

because without us, they wouldnt have gotten the chance to lose to RM…

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions

rsl up 3 nil now

looks like a home win for them….now only 5 points back and 4 games in hand

A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)

by kelliott1527 on Jul 23, 2011 8:46 PM PDT reply actions

Aaaand 4-0 now

Pouring it on

by wyte_lightning on Jul 23, 2011 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Points Per Match Standings

Club Pace PPM
Los Angeles Galaxy 65 1.91
Real Salt Lake 62 1.83
FC Dallas 60 1.77
Seattle Sounders FC 59 1.73
Philadelphia Union 55 1.63
Columbus Crew 50 1.48
New York Red Bulls 46 1.36
Colorado Rapids 46 1.35
Sporting Kansas City 44 1.30
Chivas USA 42 1.24
DC United 41 1.21
Houston Dynamo 39 1.14
San Jose Earthquakes 39 1.14
Portland Timbers 38 1.11
New England Revolution 32 0.95
Chicago Fire 31 0.90
Toronto FC 27 0.78
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 24 0.71

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 9:43 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Thanks for posting this

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 23, 2011 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions

For Sounders to get to 65

we’d have to average 2.25 PPM over last 12.
9-3-0
8-1-3
Realistically we need help from LAG to get the shield.

by look4wrd on Jul 23, 2011 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions

While RSL does have 4 games in hand on the Sounders ....

…. they have a lot of road games to make up. After next week’s home match against the Crew, they’ll have 15 games left, and 10 of those will be on the road, only 5 more at home.

All in all, not an easy road for them despite all the games in hand.

by deaman11 on Jul 23, 2011 9:48 PM PDT reply actions

Copa America is actually on Univision

Sunday at noon, Comcast 29 or 732 in Seattle area.

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 Jul 23, 2011 10:35 PM PDT reply actions

My comcast for 732 calls the station Telemundo

Which is a univision channel

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Weird

Telemundo is 734 for me. You’d think that with what they are charging, they could be a little consistent.

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 Jul 23, 2011 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I may just have to delete everything Copa I wrote

Or stop writing drunk – wait, this posted at noon…

So like the Copa America Final is tomorrow, and it should be on TV that you get. Check your local listings.

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

by Dave Clark on Jul 23, 2011 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Paraguay looks horribly outclassed

Uruguay up 1-0 in 13th minute.

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 Jul 24, 2011 12:16 PM PDT reply actions

Now 2-0 Uruguay in the 42nd

The big guns Suarez and Forlan with strikes. LAG- Man. CIty may be more competitive than this.

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 Jul 24, 2011 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Forlan gets a brace in the 90th

Uruguay up 3-0 and will be the Copa America champions. Well-deserved, as I think they were consistently the best team in the tournament.

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 Jul 24, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Just became a huge Roberto Mancini fan

Mario Balotelli made a crass, showboating move in the box, then missed the shot. Mancini made an immediate move to sub Balotelli out and gave him an earful as Balotelli sauntered by on his way to the bench. All around the 35th minute.

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 Jul 24, 2011 1:56 PM PDT reply actions