Sounders vs. Rapids, 2015 recap: Crappy sod, but crappier result

At some point, the Seattle Sounders will get their team back together. Until then, it looks as though we'll be subjected to more of this. "This" is some shockingly bad soccer, the latest a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids at home on Saturday.

That the match was played on an absolutely pitiful temporary sod pitch only served to make watching the match even worse.

Oh, and the icing on the cake? The decisive goal came late, again. This time, it was an 84th minute goal from Kevin Doyle.

Out of basically no where, Doyle was able to win a seemingly harmless ball over the top by Jared Watts. Despite Chad Marshall and Zach Scott both being in position to make a play, though, Doyle was able to gather it, get behind the defense and calmly finished inside the far post.

It didn't matter that the Rapids had looked perfectly content to play for a tie up until then, they were the ones that were more clinical with their chances.

The Sounders weren't exactly creating many chances of their own, it should be said. The Sounders had the bulk of the possession and had the ball in potentially dangerous areas, but rarely looked truly goal dangerous -- a hallmark of their recent struggles. The Sounders only forced Clint Irwin into three saves. Their two best looks came in the 1st minute when Thomas hit a well-struck ball that was pushed over the bar and the other was near the start of the second when Cristian Roldan nearly took advantage of some poor defense, broke through for a chance but couldn't beat Irwin.

Other than that, it was a night full mostly of frustrations. When the players for both sides weren't slipping and sliding, they were misjudging the speed and bounce of the ball.

The Sounders now lick their wounds and prepare for what will hardly be an easy trip to the Montreal Impact. Instead of moving into a tie for the Supporters' Shield -- which a win would have done -- they're just a single point from the sixth spot in the standings.

Other observations

• Look, no one expected the Sounders to seamlessly adjust to being without their two best offensive players, a starting center back, their starting goalkeeper and assorted other absences. But the degree to which they've struggled has been astounding. On paper, this was a soft portion of the schedule, with lower-table teams lining up one after another. Instead, they're in the midst of a run of games that is worse than any aside from the end of 2013.
• Want a glimmer of hope? Erik Friberg actually looked really good in a little less than 60 minutes. If we can expect him to improve as he gains match fitness, this could be a really good pickup. Of course, the Sounders are going to need more than Friberg.
• Oh, one more piece of hope: Clint Dempsey is playing out of his mind with the United States. Maybe he can continue that form once he gets here ... hopefully in a couple weeks.

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