Seattle Sounders Vs. DC United: Mauro Rosales Injury Spoils Feel-Good Victory
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 17, 2011 9:44 PM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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Score three goals and shut out a likely playoff team and you should feel pretty good. Unfortunately for the Seattle Sounders, their 3-0 win over DC United was just about ruined when Mauro Rosales went down with an injury late. After the game, it was revealed Rosales sprained MCL and that he would at least miss Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League match against Herediano.
The true extent of the injury will not be known until Monday when Rosales undergoes an MRI. But even if it's a mild sprain, this is still a frustrating situation. The injury occurred after the result had essentially been decided. It was also just the final time Rosales had been taken down in a match in which playing physical was clearly part of the game plan. Luckily for United, referee Kevin Stott never seemed particularly interested in tamping down the physicality, as he issued just three yellow cards and just one in the second half.
But other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
Well, it was pretty awesome, quite frankly. As the Sounders have been able to do much of this season, they never let the physical defending of United get to them, something that paid particular dividends on their first goal.
Mike Fucito was able to fight off a challenge and beat Brandon McDonald to clever flick from Rosales. After keeping his feet, Fucito was 1-on-1 with goalkeeper Joe Willis. Fucito then did what he does just about as good as anyone and beat Willis to the far post.
Rosales also assisted on the first of Alvaro Fernandez's two goals. Again sending his teammate 1-on-1 with Willis. Rosales even had a hand in Fernandez's second goal, sending in the cross that Fredy Montero headed onto goal. Fernandez was able to collect the rebound and fire it past Willis.
Coming off the loss to Real Salt Lake, it was a victory the Sounders needed if only to regain their swagger. Only some loose play after going up 3-0 made the statistics look a little more even than they really were, as the Sounders played as complete a game as they have all year.
The Sounders remain seven points behind the Los Angeles Galaxy, who beat the Vancouver Whitecaps, and three points ahead of RSL. The Sounders are now five points clear of FC Dallas, who fell into fourth in the West after their loss to RSL.
With 51 points, the Sounders also set a new franchise record. That it comes in Game 29 is also significant, as the Sounders became the 26th team since 2000 (when tiebreakers were abolished) to hit that plateau in 30 games or less.
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Frankly
I lost a lot of respect for DC tonight. They were always a fav in the early 00s. Beyond what you’ve already pointed out, it really upset me that they were essentially playing a 4-5-1 down 3-0 with plenty of time left on the clock. So….. let me get this straight, they were actually trying to keep the score down?!? If I was a DC fan, I’d be insulted.
Unfortunately, all that is bad in MLS
is shown in the injury to Rosales. The ref basically let this happen. But, that leads to my other point—why is Rosales on the field then? If you watched LA-VAN, who pray-tell did LA sub off as the game wore on—perhaps the $10M in players they have? Fucito is injured so I get that; possibly Montero as he is work $636K, but evans? I have a hard time saying this was completely unforeseeable.
by Brougham Hooligan on Sep 17, 2011 9:56 PM PDT reply actions
if we had
a different ref then we might see differnet response form the officials than what stott did.
This
was Evans first start coming back form an hamstring injury i believe.
I wish we had a league///
where you did not have to think about subing your best players off so they did not get hurt by reckless tackles. Especialy being hacked down when the score was 3-0 late in the game. Rosales got beat up the entire game. DC definately came out to play thugish and this is what results.
by MurrayD on Sep 17, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
that league does not exist
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 17, 2011 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
^This
Hit me up on Twitter
Staff writer for Managing Madrid
by Timm Higgins on Sep 17, 2011 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey, a man can dream
And what a coup would it be for America to be the first to have that league?
Ok i conceede that this is true.
But i still want to have a league where referees dont constantly allow thuggery to cause injuries to players. When a team can have a game plan of, lets foul them constantly to throw them off their game, things need to be changed.
If Sigi could do it over again,
perhaps he would sub out Rosales. However, a coaching mistake seen in hindsight doesn’t take away the fact that Kevin Stott needs to be relegated to youth soccer. Stott stinks and he needs to go.
by Eastside Ajacied on Sep 17, 2011 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Let's not forget Fucito getting hip checked into the boards
that Stott decided wasn’t worthy of a foul call/PK.
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.
Hear, hear
Stott is a walking video teaching aid on how not to referee a game.
by Kiliman2004 on Sep 17, 2011 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Easier
said then done if USSF is gonna demote stott to do other games then they have to replace him with someone else that still might not be any better.
So be it then
You have to hold the officials accountable. Right now, it appears there is no penalty for being awful. So, we see the same thing over and over again.
by Coug1990 on Sep 17, 2011 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Youth Soccer?
Won’t somebody please think of the children?!
Sounders 'til I die
by SounderJunkie on Sep 19, 2011 1:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe MLS can take some/all of the SUM sale profits
and create their own ref pool and tell USSF to sod off. This probably isn’t possible under FIFA rules, but I’m annoyed right now.
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.
The whole
ref system needs a total revamp and just getting rid of refs like stott for example isn’t exactly going to help.
Unfortunate strategy employed by teams coming to CenturyLink
We saw it last week with RSL and we see it again this week with DC. It seems like a semi-regular occurance now that teams come to Seattle with a game plan to be as physical as the ref lets them. Last week it was no mistake that Beltran got a second yellow so quickly. Unfortunately, the ref then decided to “even it up” despite the fact that RSL was the much more physical team. This week DC appeared to have a very similar game plan and the ref let them get away with a lot more.
Seattle has some very high quality skill players that will make other teams look bad unless they come in and plow them down. The only thing that can stop this unfortunately is having refs willing to make the tough calls and not feel the “guilt” that leads them to “even it up”. It seems like MLS refs are rewarding the thug teams because of their obsession with “calling it even”. Parity has no place in the ref’s book. If a team is consistently fouling hard and taking cheap shots on opposing players, they should be called for it. Every time. And there’s no need to even try to make an even amount of calls for the other team. Just call the fouls. Stop the thugs. The end.
by K61 on Sep 17, 2011 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 8 recs
Sigi agrees (but we want to be quiet about it)
This quote conspicuously missing from the Sounders press release says it all:
“The league’s got to start protecting him,” Schmid said. “The last two games teams have gone out there and kicked him, and I don’t think the referees have done a good job protecting him. Today was a case in point. We’re up on top of the game 3-0 and he’s got the ball at his feet and it’s a tackle that’s just meant to get a little kick in. And who knows how long he’s out now? We have a talented player in this league, a player who’s a good player, who fans want to come and watch play, then we let thugs hit him and we don’t protect him enough. I think that’s something that’s got to happen with the referees. I’m very disappointed with the last two games. The last game before this one, the first three times he touched the ball he got fouled and nothing got called. Today early on he got dumped and quite a few times he’s not getting calls. I’d like to see the referee Kevin Stott stand there and let Brandon McDonald run into his back and see if he could stay on his feet. I’m very disappointed in that.”
Sigi is very strategic with his words..
even when he’s obviously pissed the “who fans want to come and watch play” part is clearly directed at Garber, the league ownership and their bottom line. If you don’t want 0-0 ties and low attendance you need to protect attacking players from thugs.
by PatrickN on Sep 18, 2011 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
he's also practically quoting Garber
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 18, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
They played physical because they saw RSL win by playing physical.
If the ref would not have carded Hurtado and Seattle would have went on to win that match, you may not have seen DCU play this physical style. I would love for the league to call it extra tight and even hand out yellow like candy to send a message to the teams.
If multiple players accumulate cards and miss games, so be it.
Then once teams stop playing so thuggish, the league can then back off a little.
I'm guessing that the end result of this
will be that nothing will change and Sigi will be fined and possibly suspended for his comments. Either that or an investigation will reveal that Kevin Stott was behind ACES.
by mark_s on Sep 17, 2011 10:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
The game was rough both ways.
The hand wringing here seems to ignore this.
by Steen on Sep 17, 2011 10:42 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
foul count: DC United 16, Sounders 7
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 17, 2011 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
which is indicative of the ref not willing to pull the card
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 18, 2011 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Although there are some players that play physical, the Sounders style is more finesse
The Sounders will often give what they receive. In other words to give a backyard analogy, if someone is punching you, you are going to punch back. DCU started the physical play. If they had played it straight, Seattle would have too.
He's a delicate honey badger, i guess.
by Steen on Sep 17, 2011 10:54 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Disagree
I saw very little retaliation from Seattle out there tonight. Frankly I’ve seen very little of it all season long. Remember when Mullan took out Zakuani? Did we do anything to any Colorado player after that which looked remotely like retaliation? Nope. And if it was ever called for, that would have been the time.
Sigi runs a very disciplined squad. I’m racking my brain to remember the last time we ever saw obvious retaliation. All I can think of is when Montano put an elbow to the back of Brek Shea’s head last season. He got a red card, but I’m pretty sure there was some extra dicipline internally such that we didn’t see Montano take the field again all season long IIRC. Sigi doesn’t put up with that crap at all. I’m glad for that fact.
by K61 on Sep 17, 2011 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Good for Sigi...
But if the league continues to allow it, you could argue that not embracing the physical play ignores a means to the overall goal of trophies. Style points and warm fuzzies dont count, remember.
by Steen on Sep 17, 2011 11:05 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
You'd have a point if we were dropping points constantly
As it is, we’ve been pretty successful without resorting to thuggery. Second in the league is nothing to sneeze at.
I dunno
I’d rather win the trophies honorably than have to compromise integrity to make it happen. Maybe that’s a dream world. That said, if that’s what it’ll take to win trophies, Sigi may be stuck winning the USOC only for a very long time. To some extent, I think I’m okay with that.
I will say that we don’t see these strategies in CCL. Most of the teams we face there tend to employ the “flopping strategy” trying to trick the referee into calling faux fouls that never actually happened. At least this way, players get hurt less often. We don’t flop, but I don’t think it’s necessary for a team to flop in order to combat floppers. Maybe we’ll just win the USOC and the CCL but not the SS or MLS Cup. (shrug)
If that ends up being what happens, I think it says something very powerful about the Sounders and the league.
Retaliation and playing more physical than you otherwise would have are not the same thing
So, you are disagreeing with a point I never was making.
Dang, supposed to be a replay on root starting 20 min ago
Instead there is ok. st/tulsa football in 1st qtr. What the hell. I can’t remember if there is a Sunday replay.
Walking off
I tend to be optimistic, but there is no way the trainers let Mauro leave under his own power with a severe sprain. I’m no orthopedist, but really, this isn’t a sport where you take chances with people"s legs.
I do think he should sit through the Vancouver game, no matter how bad. Let Neagle get the minutes and get Mauro healthy.
by jayw913 on Sep 17, 2011 11:04 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I've seen players walk off the field after tearing their ACL.
Not trying to be overly pessimistic but I learned my lesson on whether or not a player was ok just by the fact that he walked off the field after Curt Warner’s (Seahawks) injury in 1984. He needed help getting back to the bench but did walk to the locker room on his own. Seen is several times since as well with knee injuries.
not to overreact
but if memory serves, JKH walked off after his injury last year and that resulted in him missing most of the season.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 18, 2011 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure that is not the case.
If I remember, he sort of crawled off the field. I can’t find the replay, but I remember that vividly and saying to myself “that is really not bueno.”
Crawled off the field
and walked to the lockerroom
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
knew he walked at some point...
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 18, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
The MLS needs to do something about the refs.
And yes, MLS sure as hell CAN do something. Without MLS, the refs have no pay. Seriously, enough already.
From Soccer Insider in DC
With Bill Hamid slowed by a strained hamstring, rookie goalkeeper Joe Willis made his third start and was placed under persistent pressure by the Sounders (14-6-9).
"They came out strong and came at us pretty hard. They just kept coming," Willis said. "They keep the ball well, they move off of it well. At times it can be mesmerizing watching them pass."
Did Sigi take a page out of Barcelona’s playbook?
the good news/bad news about mcl sprains
is that they rarely require surgery… it usually takes a major tear of the mcl or having a combination of ligament tears a la Carson Palmer for docs to surgically fix the mcl…. however, that means it takes time to heal….time in a brace, time rehabbing, time getting back into match condition .. given Mauro’s age i worry a little bit about rushing him back and possibly creating damage that impacts his play next season…. I just want them to be as smart as possible with him…
fingers crossed he can safely get back in time to help us in the play-off’s… his presence on the squad has been so influential….it’s almost hard to remember that we started the season losing three attacking starters (counting OBW as starter as he did after Nkufo’s departure)….i personally believe that Mauro’s presence has been one of the main reasons for the Sounder’s success after such devastating personnel losses… he truly has brought something special to the Sounders and as a fan I am so grateful!
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
by LGoofus on Sep 18, 2011 12:56 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
They announced some new attendance record at the game, but I didn't understand it.
Was it “most consecutive sell-outs”?
Highest total season attendance
Previously set by us last season.
Mike Fucito
http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos/?catid=1822&id=19192
Watch the highlights of Fucito’s goal from the DC announcers. I had no idea Mike was hispanic – coming from and growing up in the soccer tradition of the Latin world, no wonder he has such a nice touch on the ball! Actually, the second time, they struggle with his name I think I detect a japanese accent. Which is it? What a worldly guy.
Sigi needs to protect Mauro
There was no reason that Mauro needed to be out there with a 3-0 lead. I agree the league needs to do more to protect the star players and Stott is the worst ref in the league but Sigi is also to blame here. Hope Mauro is ok…
by Kevin Higginbottom on Sep 18, 2011 9:43 AM PDT reply actions
All of his subs
seemed to have an eye on protection. Fucito, who was getting beat on, Montero who falls into the same “need to protect” category by any measure and Evans who was just coming back from injury and generally seems made of glass. The truth is Sigi only has so many subs and it just as easily could have been Flaco who was kicked. You can’t protect everyone.
Strike that...
only the ref can protect everyone!
So Sigi should be prescient and known that it was Mauro who would get hurt and not Montero?
Because it was already quite clear that they were trying to hurt Fucito. Evans isn’t 90 minutes fit yet. So you can’t argue those subs.
So if Montero was left in, the chances he’d be hurt are probably the same. Both got run over from behind quite a bit. Seattle can’t really lose either player.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Agreed
It’s not Sigi’s fault Mauro got hurt. We only get three subs. We shouldn’t have to pull players off because we’re worried they’ll get injured. That’s a sad state of affairs if it’s really true. Sigi made a great post match comment (linked above) calling out the refs for not protecting talented players enough from thugs. Blame the refs, blame the thugs, don’t blame Sigi. He’s doing what he can (and will probably be fined for it).
I disagree with Kevin as well
You cannot sub everyone out. Fucito has a history of injury’s. Montero is extremely important. Evans is coming off injury. I get the feeling if it was Alvarez who got injured, someone would complain that Sigi should have subbed him out. If it were Alonso, same thing.
Players get injured. It is part of the game and it is to be expected. But, you don’t expect any player to be injured with a cheap shot in garbage time.
by Coug1990 on Sep 18, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
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