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The game opened hearing that we would see a free roaming Fredy Montero who could do what he wanted. It wound up with Seattle playing a 4-2-3-1 with the middle of that 3 band being free to pester Toronto FC from unique angles. For the first 10 or 15 minutes it looked like Seattle was going to be the only challenger in this one with Mike Fucito hitting the far post in minute 2. The last 15 minutes also played to the strengths of Seattle; possession soccer continually threatened Stefan Frei with Montero as the lone forward. Just prior to the end of the 90 he hit a perfectly placed ball from the right elbow around the wall and edging into the net. It will be a goal of the week candidate as Montero's shot was the winner with Seattle at only 10 men.
The other 60 minutes did not play well. There were struggles from many. James Riley and Lamar Neagle had poor first halves. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was out of position after a poor play by Riley and got his first yellow. After the half Hurtado again took a Toronto player down and earned his second yellow. From the 49th minute forward Seattle would play down a man, and yet they didn't sit back.
The Shale side struck back via counter. They used possession. They threatened. Fucito put a header just over the bar. Alonso took a few shots, even keeping a few low. Zach Scott as in as a centerback and played well. Momentum should have been Toronto's way.
But it was not. Instead it was the short Seattle side that managed to find empty spaces and exploit them. Alvaro Fernandez replaced Fucito who had pulled back to the left mid and his footwork beat several men. Brad Evans who had a strong second half took two knocks and needed to be pulled after creating a few chances. Erik Friberg came in and managed to spring Mauro Rosales on the counter.
In the end this was the free roaming Fredy Montero show.
via SBN Seattle
A show where he displayed solid defense, creative passing and in the end the shot that won the game. Ideally it will be a portent of things to come with Montero in a more midfield position able to spring players in multiple channels, take shots on goal and create from a dead ball with sublime precision. Seattle now sits at 25 points at the half way point, with 1.47 PPM. Considering everything this is striking distance for potential trophies and a fine place to be.