This is a quick snapshot, based off of my live thoughts of the match.
Sounders moved the ball well when attacking. Quick, but under control. Alonso really sparked the ball movement in the back, and while Brad Evans won the Man of the Match I would be tempted to give it to Osvaldo. He was the catalyst both ways.
MLS is still quite a physical league, but Zakuani and Ljungberg seem better able to deal with that this season. And while Nowak doesn't like the supposedly dishonest nature of Montero and Ljungberg, he's the man who drafted A.Moreno.
Zakuani had several moments of magic. Ljungberg not being on the scoreboard is a disappointment. Both substitutes played very well. Nyassi was stronger in his vision and ball presence than at any point in the past season plus I have seen him. Fucito made several good runs, fought desperately for the ball after losing it, and had a few solid moments that showed potential for the future.
Scott took a while to get comfortable, and it was his performance that got the strongest after Philly went down a man. He also rode Seb Le Toux like cowboy rides a mustang.
Levesque missed a couple that should have been in the net.
Overall still a good night for the Sounders to start off 2010. Three points, +2 Goal Differential.
| Montero | ||||
| Ljungberg | ||||
| Zakuani | Nyassi (60) | Levesque | ||
| Fucito (76) | Evans | |||
| Alonso | ||||
| Gonzalez | Scott | |||
| Hurtado | Marshall | |||
| Keller |
Here are the stats as according to www.SoundersFC.com
|
Sounders
|
Union | |
|
2
|
Goals | 0 |
| 12 | Shots | 9 |
| 3 | Shots on Goal | 4 |
| 4 | Saves | 1 |
| 13 | Fouls | 8 |
| 9 | Corner Kicks | 6 |
| 3 | Offsides | 2 |
Upcoming I'll have fuller thoughts based on a second viewing, updated statistics and hopefully an interview or two.
29 matches to go.
Oh, and thanks to the 30+ that showed up in the private room at Elysian Fields today for pre-match. We are looking at doing more of that this year.