At the end of the first half the commentators code was in effect. As one doesn't speak of a no-hitter, nor their perfect game, one also should not speak of an MLS side winning a match in Mexico when it matters. Think it, but never say it, never write. Maybe call your friends and tell them to watch the game, but don't give too many details.
We don't have super powers as fans. But still, you never speak of history. Today, the Sounders had their shot at history. That first half showed a clear B team holding its own in Mexico. While the scoreline read 2-0, that first half was well played by both sides. One goal was good fortune, the other was pure good play.
Mike Fucito was involved in both.
But the Young Vowels all looked good in that first half. David Estrada played a great two way game. He alone saved two goals, and his passing and vision led to one of the Sounders on a clear secondary assist. Miguel Montano looked like someone who could develop into a Steve Zakuani type winger. His speed was a clear asset that the Mexican side couldn't handle, and he routinely forced the action forward. Mike Fucito played higher than Nate Jaqua most of the day, but still managed to run off of Jaqua's creation of space and threaten the goal.
Alvaro Fernandez captained the midfield as well as anyone who has worn the Rave Green, or Electric Yellows. His vision was appropriate, his defense solid. At this point none can question that he is already among the top two central players on the roster.
I called my birthday beer, a beer I brewed, "Our halves are 45 Minutes." It was a celebration both of the game we (the 214 crew) love, and an attempt at a great beer. That beer is "90 Minute IPA." That was the difference in the match we all just watched.
The first half was 45 great minutes. It was exciting, but it wasn't the real thing.
The real thing lasts 90 minutes.
There were times when that second half looked positive. Seattle made a same-for-same sub, sticking with the tactics that had been working fairly well, and Sanna Nyassi entered for Montano. The move in a vacuum made sense, but ignored the adjustments that were being made on the opposite bench.
Monterrey unloaded its offensive studs that had been sitting.
Sigi answered with Jaqua leaving and Fredy Montero entering.
And then the worst five minute stretch in Sounders history happened. Sauzo shot, but Terry Boss saved. Zach Scott watched the amazing play, and left the man collecting the rebound stay onside, and score. Sauzo shot again. He scored on a laser. A Monterrey flashes into the area after a poor back-pass, Boss ignores Marshall and eventually pulls down the attacking player. The penalty is put clearly in the net.
Five minutes, and history became nothing.
This wasn't poor officiating. It wasn't poor coaching. It was poor defense by Zach Scott, Tyrone Marshall and Terry Boss in just a few minutes. Those few minutes were the difference.
Seattle is all but done in the CCL (they'll need a Marathon victory over Saprissa; wins over Saprissa and Marathon; Monterrey to win out; and will probably have to win their final two matches by at least three combined goals) and we'll likely get to see the Young Vowels at Qwest trying to replicate those great 45 minutes and end the Group Stage with some honor in meaningless wins.
And those soccer gods? They weren't with Seattle tonight, as Kansas City wins 4-3 over Houston to maintain pressure against the Sounders for that 8th seed.
Stats and Quotes Now - I miss HD broadcasts
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Goals by Period |
1 |
2 |
Tot |
|
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
|
CF Monterrey |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Scoring Summary: SEA - Own Goal (Hiram Ricardo Mier) 27 SEA - Mike Fucito (Nate Jaqua, Alvaro Fernandez) 44 MON - Aldo De Nigris 74 MON - Humberto Suazo 75 MON - Luis Perez (penalty) 77 |
|
CF Monterrey - Jonathan Orozco, Severo Meza, Julio Cesar Davino (Luis Perez 53), Hector Miguel Morales, Aldo De Nigris, Abraham Carreno, Walter Ayovi, William Paredes (Humberto Suazo 61), Hiram Ricardo Mier, Sergio Perez (Neri Cardozo 45), Jose Arellano. Substitutes Not Used: Pierre Ibarra, Osvaldo Martinez, Jose Maria Basanta, Juan Ibarra. |
|
Misconduct Summary: |
SEA - Zach Scott (caution; Reckless Tackle) 35
MON - Jose Arellano (caution; Reckless Tackle) 43
SEA - Michael Seamon (caution; Reckless Tackle) 54
MON - Neri Cardozo (caution) 70
MON - Jose Arellano (ejection) 90+
|
Referee: Marlon Mejia |
|
Referee's Assistants: Douglas Bermudez; Miguel Angel Endez |
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4th Official: Marco Rodriguez |
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Time of Game: 1:50 Attendance: 19,617 |
All Statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
Seattle Sounders FC Postgame Quotes - September 22, 2010
Sigi Schmid - Head Coach
(On thoughts on the match . . .) "Disappointed. Obviously we are disappointed that we were up two-nothing and when you are up two-nothing you should never give the game away, so we are disappointed. [. . .] I was disappointed with how we performed in the last thirty minutes of the game."
(On playing in CONCACAF Champions League . . .) "We played a lot of our young players today. We wanted to give them a look. I think we have been a little bit unlucky in CONCACAF. We should have probably won at Marathon. Without the red card at Saprissa we would have done much better. We had a bad ten minutes today. But certainly we are still a young team in the second year of existence as a franchise. We learn every time we play together. We want to be back next year in CONCACAF and we will do much better."
Mike Fucito - Sounders FC Forward
(On the first Seattle goal . . .) "Nate [Jaqua] and I talked before the game. [. . .] When I drop, I'll try to make a run off him and wait for it. [. . .] I was able to pull it back, turn and get the shot off. I got a little bit lucky with the deflection, but I'll take it."
(On his goal . . .) "It was a good combination. I think Alvaro [Fernandez] played in to Nate [Jaqua] and Nate played a great ball through. I was able to beat the goalie there."
(On thoughts on the match . . .) "Every time you come down here it is difficult to play. I think it's definitely a good learning experience. I thought we did a lot well, so it's a little bit frustrating. I think it was just a couple-minute lapse that was the difference. We will take the positive things from this. I think there's some stuff that tactically we need to work on and make sure that we are concentrating for 90 minutes."