Seattle Sounders Edge CF Monterrey 1-Nil
by Dave Clark on Aug 23, 2011 7:57 PM PDT
in Sounders: CONCACAF Champions League
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PrintThat headline seems a little meek doesn't it? Maybe because FC Dallas ruined the sheen a little bit after they beat UNAM Puams, but the thrill isn't quite as big as expected. Or maybe the feelings from the Seattle Sounders 1-nil victory over CF Monterrey Rayados aren't as huge as they should be because what we saw was a bit of a coaching clinic.
Or maybe we are all a bit too stunned to realize that the Sounders beat Monterrey at home for the first time in CONCACAF Champions League play, and the first time since early January of this year. There is a shift in North America, and it is too the North. MLS now has a winning streak in Mexico. It may only be two games, but it is a streak.
Head Coach Sigi Schmid put out a cynical lineup with what seemed like a target of getting a single goal, and maybe giving up one. He played for the counter, and in the first half the goal from Alvaro Fernandez changed the way he could approach the second half. Pat Noonan and Servando Carrasco advanced the ball, setting Alvaro up. These reserve players succeeded where so many starters have failed.
It was a masterful performance by the coach. Every replacement came more defensive. Amadou Sanyang came on, and the defensive midfielder played in space normally occupied by a withdrawn forward, except he still played like the defensive player he is. Osvaldo Alonso had some opportunities to ice the game, but failed to do so. Still he and Leo Gonzalez brought the ball into the attack quite well, and their defense was strong.
In the end Seattle beat the Champions. Seattle beat Monterrey in Monterrey, something that is quite rare. They did it while getting rest for key players with matches coming up in League play and the Open Cup.
This post doesn't have enough emotion.
Your Sounders just created a streak of wins by MLS sides in Mexico. Your Sounders just beat Monterrey. Celebrate, we'll get tactical later.
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woooooooo
wooooooo
execution-wise, not quite a game for the highlight reel, but one with a result worth remembering.
Boy howdy
Right after the final whistle, my heart sank a little. We have to really worry about Montero, Rosales, Alonso and Flaco now post season transfer.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 23, 2011 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Not so sure...
We hardly dominated the game. Sure Flaco made the most of the opportunity, but I’m not sure that one game will make him that much more attractive to transfer (than he already was).
by magistermilitum on Aug 23, 2011 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions
The group is there for the taking
Win our home games and we will be at 12 points. Even if Monterrey comes up here and gets a little revenge, 2 ties on the road and a win against Herredite and we would be at 11 points. Easy qualification.
Go Sounders.
I'm good with the headline, the substance is what counts..
I’m still having problems beliving we’ve done this. I think they had a starting 11 against us and we led off with a few subs. This was an epic match; hard to watch, but fantastic all the same.
I'm not thrilled with the headline or the article...
Last week, I used the (heavy sarcasm) tag on my comment about how FCD beating Pumas meant that, even if we beat Monterrey, that win would be totally meaningless. Little did I realize that Dave took it seriously. Thank you, Debbie Downer.
by regnaD kciN on Aug 23, 2011 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Amazing doesn't cut it
We just beat what could be the best team in Concacaf at their home with Jaqnoonvesque. I suppose the experience that the SEA reserves got w Man Utd was just shown in Monterrey. What is Suazo after Rooney? :)
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 23, 2011 8:04 PM PDT reply actions
Concacaf announcer
I have to admit watching the game on ccctv that I kept thinking that you finally got your wish. The Sounders started 2 new players tonight, Livesk and Jacka!
by Abbott Smith on Aug 23, 2011 10:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Can we give Noonan a bit of credit for his inch perfect pass to Fernandez?
by agtk on Aug 23, 2011 8:05 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
If you couldn't tell
I’m having trouble writing about this. God bless Pat Noonan’s pass, because without it this is a mere 0-0 draw.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
OK, as much as it really pains me too...
Jaqnoonvesque showed up and played. Not bad for some 30 yr olds.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 23, 2011 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I actually thought Levesque played possession pretty well tonight.
Got pushed out of play later on, but a savior in the 1st half.
His watch was off
He started playing the match by himself a good 30 mins before everyone else.
by Derek R on Aug 23, 2011 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
True
But I’m all about that magnificent finish. I think Flaco was the only player on the field with the class to put that one away.
Yeah, I'd agree theoretically,
but I’d blame our honey badger for an excruciating lost opportunity for the greaat cap to an evening.
Serious question...
Is there a correlation between class and skill? I hear the word class used a lot in sports but im not sure i know what it means.
by Boz86 on Aug 23, 2011 8:23 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I wonder if Keller will stick around to play the knockout rounds?
by DaveValleDrinkNight on Aug 23, 2011 8:17 PM PDT reply actions
I was wondering about this too.
I suppose you probably have to be on the regular roster to play in the Champions League, but could exceptions be made for a player that was on the team when it qualified? Regardless, having Keller as a backup next year, just to stow him away for Concacaf, would be awesome.
Only rostered players can play in CCL
But if he wants to be 3rd keeper next year…
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Roster Implications of a 2 month contract?
The finals of the CCL are in late April. If Kasey signed a 2-month contract with everyone agreeing to only have him play in the CCL knockouts, can that roster space be used to sign someone else during a transfer window? I guess it depends on how many Senior Roster spots we have available.
Fan of: Cardinals, Blues, Sounders, Yellow Jackets, Wolverines, Rams, and Blazers.
by ColinMacLeod on Aug 24, 2011 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Congrats fellas. Big win.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekly Columnist for SB Nation D.C..
by Martin Shatzer on Aug 23, 2011 8:18 PM PDT reply actions 8 recs
And now we know
why Alonso isn’t a forward. That’s fine though, keep ripping them from 25 yards
by bauckus on Aug 23, 2011 8:19 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
congrats
Did the MLS proud.
Bloggin' at JoePasDoghouse.com
by J.Schnauzer on Aug 23, 2011 8:22 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Tell me more about Sanyang
He was a forward with Toronto, but was released last year. He’s still only 20. He looked lost out there, flubbed a couple of passes. Is he just a space-filler or something we’re really looking at long term?
I thought he was a defensive midfielder
more of a holder role than a destroyer like Alonso/Carrasco
Nos Audietis
Linky
to Dave’s story when he was signed.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. Our yachts are all around you, there is no escape.
Think he was pretty lost because he hasn't really played in like what a year or something.
This really wasn’t a good game for the new guy to get his first minutes imo… but we won so can’t really complain.
That was about the only foot I think Sigi put wrong
Tough to throw the guy into a game like that where good rhythm and spacing and knowing each others’ tendencies was what was keeping us in the game. Still, as you pointed out, you can’t be too critical of that after the win. He was shaky in a couple bad places late, though.
Would you have preferred Graham over Sanyang?
He was the only other defender that Sigi had left on the bench.
by wyte_lightning on Aug 23, 2011 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Tough call, no doubt
but I might have preferred putting Friberg in and hope to hold possession a bit better.
Can't say I disagree with you
However, Sanyang didn’t cost us the game and Sigi was able to see how he reacted to a live-game situation. I doubt we’ll see him in a close match again this year.
by wyte_lightning on Aug 23, 2011 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Fair enough
After all, results are what matter at the end of the day. Tough to judge anything about him from this match except that he’s pretty rusty and hasn’t jelled with the team yet.
This is all that comes to mind when I try to process this game.
by Robert on Aug 23, 2011 8:28 PM PDT reply actions 11 recs
Highlights
Concacaf has somebody who is ON IT when it comes to Champions League highlights.
Their YouTube channel is a must visit. They post highlights of all games almost immediately.
http://www.youtube.com/user/concacaf#p/u/0/cxaHsh3Wwh8
from OptaJack twitter feed:
345 – Monterrey had more passes in the 2nd half of tonight’s #CCL game (345) than @soundersfc had all game. Waste.
Everyone is still worried about not being in a 20 second commercial right?
Right?
by ClosetCoug on Aug 23, 2011 8:36 PM PDT reply actions 7 recs
2011: The year of retribution for a glaring snub
by lemonverbena on Aug 23, 2011 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Surprised no one is mentioning
Terry Boss’ performance was fairly stellar.
Apart from the embarrassing mistake in the second half (which luckily was without consequence), that had to be his best match…at least that I’ve seen.
by petestewart on Aug 23, 2011 8:37 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
terry boss
Tonight was by FAR the the night where I called his name in joy more than anger. Still there was that one time…
by Wisepunk on Aug 23, 2011 8:43 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I don't look at the generic SB Nation often but..
on the soccer tab… and even down a bit on the main page, our win is the top story.. good stuff.
by BaltimoreIslander on Aug 23, 2011 8:44 PM PDT reply actions
shhhh
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 23, 2011 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was front and center for the US Open cup win
And this is my favorite moment as a Sounders fan. Where is everyone!?! This thread should be bursting, CONCACAF is so cool.
by ClosetCoug on Aug 23, 2011 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I second the motion
we just beat the defending Concacaf champs, a team with a budget 10X ours, and a team who played some of their best players. Transfer value of De Nigris/Suazo=$13M. Transfer value of entire Sounders team= $11.3M. Beating Monterrey at home=Priceless.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 23, 2011 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
Holy shit
Those #’s are hard to even fathom. Boss > De Nigris/Suazo…. for one night anyways.
by wyte_lightning on Aug 23, 2011 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I think, if there is any apathy to this win,
it’s because so many comments have been telling me for the last 6 months that we should focuson the league and not care about CCL
I've been here, but it is still sinking in.
We won, AND we’ll have some fresh players for Columbus in a few days. Let’s just keep on winning forever. It feels so good.
The difference between this and FCD's win
Not to take anything away for FCD beating the Pumas last week, but that was Dallas’ starters against the Puma reserves. In contrast, this was Monterrey’s starters against our reservers. This is huge. Dallas made history, but we made a statement.
by K61 on Aug 23, 2011 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 15 recs
While we know this is mostly true
I would personally be hesitant to claim it or throw it in FCD’s face. SSFC is in an international tournament, we put out the side we put out and that’s our team. Crowing about doing it with reserves kind of devalues our participation a bit.
by lemonverbena on Aug 24, 2011 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions
This really is huge
It would be easy for people to not be all that impressed with one win in Mexico, especially if they see the circumstances. After two in week, they have to take notice. We still have a long way to go before we’re equal with the FMF, but the CCL just got a lot more interesting. The CCL is a real competition now, they will have to start to prove that they are better than us.
For all the grief, CONCACAF referees get...
they were not the story in this game. They called a balanced game. Let players decide the outcome.
Well done refs.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
by chrisso on Aug 23, 2011 9:26 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Minus the offside... thing
Whatever it was. Well called match
Actually, if you're talking about in first half stoppage time...
…turns out that was a correct no-call by the referee. I went back and looked at the tape and, though I can’t see who it was, a Sounder at been carried over the goal line by his momentum and hadn’t yet returned. By law, that defender is considered to be on the goal line for offside purposes…at that instant, then Boss was the second-to-last defender (the man off the pitch was the last), and the attacker was onside. Very shrewd refereeing to notice that and wave the AR’s flag down.
"There is nothing so more deceptive than an obvious fact." -Sherlock Holmes
by mtn335 on Aug 23, 2011 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Who would've thought that those would be the players to beat Monterrey on their home turf?
Honestly, not me. Thanks for proving me wrong tonight. This crow tastes delicioso.
by wyte_lightning on Aug 23, 2011 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Such a great win
Aaron and I talk at length about it on Nos Audietis, which will be available in the morning.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 23, 2011 9:37 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
Excellent officiating
I was very impressed. That was honestly some competent and even-handed reffing. CONCACAF usually has atrocious refs but this ref squad was not only fair and well-executed, it is frankly better than a lot of the reffing we get in MLS.
I was a little worried about a Guatemalan ref team after the Sounders spanked their side but their performance was beyond reproach. Kudos to them. They ignored dives and let the play flow. Very commendable.
by AliasDictusTyrant on Aug 23, 2011 9:41 PM PDT reply actions
No question
I think it didn’t hurt that neither side really attempted to pull many shenanigans. Monterrey doesn’t have to resort to diving and playing dirty to win and we don’t roll that like.
by Nevtelen on Aug 23, 2011 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I was impressed by both the ref and CF Monterrey in this respect
Seemed like they quickly gave up on dives when they saw the ref wasn’t buying. Could Seattle actually be gaining int’l respect?
by lemonverbena on Aug 24, 2011 6:51 AM PDT up reply actions
I just got finished watching my game on DVR
I’m bursting at the freakin seams!! Holy CRAP!!! We were definitely a bit lucky a few times in the 2nd half, but the D held onto this one. Great play by Boss (minus the one gaff), Fernandez (it’s WAY overused as a cliche, but that goal was world-freakin-class), and Noonan (his passing is very solid and his positioning seems to be pretty good as far as I can tell, it’s just his finishing that sucks – absolutely beautiful through-ball to Fernandez). No one except Sanyang looked too overwhelmed out there.
I bought a new Sounders t-shirt today; in fact, I think I bought it right around 5:00. I’m not sure if I’m going to have it bronzed or dipped in gold. Do you think anywhere could dip it in Shale-colored gold?
Thank you Aldo De Nigris
… for not falling down when Terry Boss presented you with the ball in the area and then grabbed you about the waist. We couldn’t have achieved this result without you.
I don't know
Yeah, it was a blindingly horrid gaffe, but the way the Rayados were finishing, Suazo would have shanked the PK over the bar.
The FSC crew were gushing all night...
about the awesomeness of Noonan, Jaqua, and Levesque. I wonder if they realize we have even better players taking the night off?
by central_scrutinizer on Aug 23, 2011 10:19 PM PDT reply actions
To them, those are our best three players
Montero is a lazy bum and Keller’s over the hill, you know
Nos Audietis
My biggest question/confusion for this game is...
why were we wearing our Shale kits… the colors were pretty close. Yea Monterrey had stripes, but the colors were pretty similar. I’m not a fan of the Electricity kits but we shouldn’t ever be wearing kits as close to the other team as we did today.
Shhhh
Don’t tell anyone. Maybe we found out the ref was colorblind and that’s why we brought the shale kits and ‘accidently’ left the electricity kits at home.
Congrats on the win. Especially those Sounders who get dumped on by fans. Terry Boss, I’m eating crow tonight thanks to you.
And thanks to the fans of the other MLS clubs who offered their congratulations to the team and its fans.
by James Bray on Aug 24, 2011 1:47 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Thrilled to get a big non-league win in the shale
One more nail in the yellow kit’s coffin.
by lemonverbena on Aug 24, 2011 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions
The mad scientist and the 3 toed sloth
Some days you just have to sit back and gaze slack jawed at the irony of a given game of football. Sigi fielded a squad that could have been outpaced by a banana slug, a geoduck and a 3 toed sloth, but they focused on their assignments and they did their job as consumate professionals. And now they fly home undefeated in the CCCL group stage and in 2nd place in the MLS. I couldn’t be prouder to be a Sounders fan than I am this weekend. Champions play as a team and stand by each other regardless of who takes the pitch. Tonight we saw Seattle’s yeomen rise and claim their place in this team’s lore & in our hearts. The are no bench players on this team. There are only teammates. There are only Sounders.
by Abbott Smith on Aug 23, 2011 10:45 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 8 recs
you forgot
at least semi finalists in the open cup
A sky of blue, a sea of green...(or claret)
by kelliott1527 on Aug 23, 2011 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Congrats on the great win
I was just watching the clock last five minutes plus 4 minutes of injury time (where did he get 4 minutes?) and remembering the last year game there (three goals in 5,6 minutes). Not this time. Well done.
Don't know if anyone has seen it yet...
…but Colorado tied in their CCL game at Real España. http://www.mlssoccer.com/ccl/news/article/2011/08/23/ccl-recap-rapids-hold-1-1-draw-real-espa%C3%B1.
MLS is doing pretty damn good so far. I only root for The Sounders as a club team, which in my mind also means growing this league as much as possible.
So I guess I’m saying I also root for other MLS teams sometimes…. fuck it.
Congrats to all the MLS teams that are making it happen this CCL period!
by SoundersForever on Aug 23, 2011 11:44 PM PDT reply actions
RE looked a bit better most of the time
but it was pretty even overall. A point is fair. The Rapids have to be happy given the quality of most of the players they fielded. It’s not like some team can just waltz on down south of the border, play mostly reserves and expect to get a win (God it feels good that that is an ironic comment…) Good for the Rapids – I’ll cheer for any MLS team in CCL (even though I have to keep telling myself that repeatedly when I watch LA).
Sorry to say it...
…but I’m a Sounders fan, not an MLS-in-general fan. I don’t really care if the cRapids pick up a point or FCD becomes the first to win in Mexico. And I absolutely don’t care that the MLS has a “winning steak” in Mexico, just that the Sounders do. Do you think ManU fans celebrate when Chelsea or Arsenal win their UEFA Champions League matches because “it means the EPL is doing well?”
Well... maybe.
UEFA calculates a country coefficient based on the performances by teams from that league. This is used to rank the leagues and assign the number of spots that each league gets. So ManU fans might have a reason to hope that Chelsea, Arsenal, or other English team do well in Europe, because if they don’t, they could lose a spot in the Champions League.
This just recently happened to Italy, mainly because of unconvincing results in the Europa Cup. This allowed Germany to overtake them in third place and to be in the group of leagues that get four Champions League spots. Italy will now have to make do with three.
I have no idea if CONCACAF does something similar, but I just wanted to address your EPL point.
I get where you're coming from Nick
I’m a Sounders fan first and a general MLS fan second. The difference with your example is that the EPL is a well established league not fighting for respect like the MLS. Every fan of each MLS team feels that disrespect, it’s what unites most of us and allows us to put away our differences.
by James Bray on Aug 24, 2011 1:56 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
MLS isn't the Premier League.
This league still has a lot of growing to do. You’re well within you rights not to care what the other MLS teams do in CCL play, but using the EPL as an example doesn’t do your argument any favors.
by Aaron Campeau on Aug 24, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't pick ManU fans as a model
If MLS starts winning international games and then tournaments MLS stock rises. If MLS stock rises Europeans take notice. If Europeans take notice and don’t see MLS as solely a retirement community for their washed-up players then younger players consider MLS teams a viable career option. If players in Europe see MLS as compelling they’re less likely to back out of negotiation at the 11th hour and we get our Tagoe.
When we’re one of the top teams in the hemisphere we can stop caring about how our competitors do in international competitions.
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